On Memorial Day I remember...

[Robyn1007]

My grandfather, who fought in WWII flying the Hump in Burma as a flight engineer and volunteered to go back for a second round of duty.

A very dear family friend, Brett, who spent almost a year in Iraq and has re-enlisted and may very well be sent back.

All of the soldiers and support staff who have so bravely served our country both at home and abroad. I know that we still have board members with family and friends in war zones, putting their life in danger every day.

So, on this Memorial Day, who do you remember?

[sneezles]

My father who served 27 years in the US Army and retired as a Major. He served in WWII, returned to Germany for 3 years with my mother (came home with 3 children...one was me ;) ), served in Korea for 2 years (leaving my mom with 6 children:eek: ) and I still remember the night he came home even though I was only 6.

My uncles, one my father's brother and the other my mother's brother and one who was married to my mother's sister. Both blood uncles spent over 30 years on active duty and also served during WWII and tours of duty in Korea. My uncle by marriage was a photographer during WWII and he suffered bouts of depression as a result.

My father and uncles never talked about their tours of duty.

[stefania4]

My grandfather, injured in Germany in WWII, whose back and hearing never fully recovered.

My friend Keith, who served in the Navy (including the Persian Gulf in the early 90's) for 10 years, plus ROTC.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Robyn, thank you for starting this thread today. I can't count the people nor would I be able to see the keyboard if I listed all those I remember today.

I remember the young man who served on my ship who we convinced to stay in the Navy who was in the Pentagon on 9/11 and left a wife and children. I remember all the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Coastguardsmen who are far from home today with people who are bent on ending their lives.

I remember the faces of the 17 year old Sailors and Marines as we were off the Coast of Albania wondering what we might be doing in the coming days/weeks/months.

I remember all the families of our fallen Police, Firefighters, and Rescue workers who have given of themselves selflessly in service of others.

I know I will remember more people as the day progresses but for now that's all.

Thank you and peace to you all,
Les

[badunnin]

Robyn my dear, our lives intersect once again. My grandfather was stationed in India, as a mechanic and later as a pilot for the Hump.

[Robyn1007]

Robyn my dear, our lives intersect once again. My grandfather was stationed in India, as a mechanic and later as a pilot for the Hump.

Wow! I would love to know if they knew each other or even flew together since my grandpa was a flight engineer. Unfortunately, we lost my grandpa 8 years ago to leukemia.

Les, you and your service are among those I remember today.

[badunnin]

Wow! I would love to know if they knew each other or even flew together since my grandpa was a flight engineer. Unfortunately, we lost my grandpa 8 years ago to leukemia.

Les, you and your service are among those I remember today.

My grandfather is still with us, and I'm so sorry your grandfather isn't. Shall I ask him when I see him?

[Robyn1007]

Sure! My grandpa's name was J.D. McIntosh and he was from Oklahoma. J.D. was not short for anything. Please let me know what your grandfather says and thank him from me and my family for his service.

[badunnin]

Absolutely. I feel the need to ask soon, as I'm afraid our days with him are numbered as well.

[generic]

My adopted dad, Big Jim. He ran away at age 14 to join the Navy so he could fight in WWII. (He was already 6' 5" and managed to lie successfully about his age!) At about age 16-17, he ended up spending 176 days in a cave on Guam as a prisoner of war of the Japanese, where they did unspeakable things to him and nearly starved him to death. After he was rescued, he came home emaciated and had contracted spinal meningitis. After many months in a hospital in San Diego, he went on to live a productive and successful life, and will be 80 years old in August! :D

[AndreaU]

My grandfather (Poppa) who served in the Pacific during WWII with his 2 brothers-in-law (my great uncles/grandma's brothers). All had long, happy lives after the war yet are no longer with us... I'll always remember a picture my grandmother showed me of the three of them somewhere in the Pacific wearing skirts made from palm leaves and dancing the hula!

My other grandfather, who I sadly never really knew as he passed away when I was only 3, who served in WWI.

Of course, everyone else who bravely gave of themselves- voluntarily or otherwise- to fight for America.

[LakeMartinGal]

DH and I were just talking about this. He served during the Viet Nam war, and was a Navy Seal, so he knew a lot of men who didn't make it home, and that is very hard on him.

I remember the men on his ships, but mostly, I remember the women who stayed at home, minding children and writing letters to their servicemen. We were quite a bonded bunch, with get-togethers monthly while the men were gone, and we each had a buddy, with whom we kept in daily contact. None of the men were lost while they were on 'our' ship, but several were sent in-country after their tour, and were lost then.

It is gratifying to see the warm welcome that homecoming servicemen and service women receive now, but I wish the returning servicemen had felt that warmth during the Viet Nam war... many are still truly bitter over their treatment then. It was never their fault that they were sent to fight that unpopular war.

[Snickers]

My dad was in the Phillipines in WWII.

2 uncles were in Korea.

My former DH was in VietNam.

DS#1 was in the 1st Gulf War.

I salute them all.

Freedom isn't free.

[Natasha]

While we don't have Memorial Day here as such, my thoughts are with those today who have served and serve now for your country. I'm happy to see this thread.

Natasha

[Leslie Ferguson]

...but mostly, I remember the women who stayed at home, minding children and writing letters to their servicemen. We were quite a bonded bunch, with get-togethers monthly while the men were gone, and we each had a buddy, with whom we kept in daily contact.

Amen.

Les

[Laura]

I am thankful for all those who have committed or are willing to commit to the military to protect freedom for the rest of us. I live in a military town with one Army base, two Air Force bases, and one military academy. Today, the Thunderbirds are flying overhead as they practice for graduation tomorrow. I have come to know many Air Force cadets over the years, and will tell you that if the rest of the military has the courage, intelligence and character of these young men and women, our country is in very good hands.

[Max Sutton]

Our small town (pop. about 13,000) holds a Memorial Day ceremony at our Memorial Park. I've attended every year. Several hundred other locals attend.

I often think about my relatives who have served in the military.

Grandpa James was career Army (over 25 years).
Uncle George was a Marine who fought at places like Iwo Jima.
Uncle James was a Marine in WWII.
Dad was in the Army in WWII.
Cousin James was in the Air Force during the Korean War.
Cousin John was in the Army.
I served in the Navy.

All of my relatives in the military survived the wars and came home to their loved ones.

[acb11]

My brother, who serves on the USS Virginia, based in Groton, CT! And, his amazing wife, who, when he is on deployment manages a full time job, 21 month old twins and a dog. Did I mention that the closest family is 3 hours away for her? I thank them both!

[Jalapeno]

I remember my cousin Richard "Pookie" Perez Jr. He died in Iraq on Feb. 11 2005, only a week befor he was to come home. He will forever be our hero!

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/welty88/Pookie1.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g175/welty88/pookie.jpg

[generic]

((((Robin))))
Your post brought tears to my eyes. :(

[Leslie Ferguson]

(((((Robin)))))
Thank you for sharing the pictures and for sharing a little piece of your life with us.

I am forever indebted to your cousin and the countless other brave people who it has been my distinct pleasure to serve with and for during the last 22 years in the Navy.

God's speed and comfort to you and your family.
Les