Posted: 5/30/2004 5:08:40 PM EDT
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As a veteran with 23 years of service to my country, all that can be said is that I was no one special or deserving any special recognition during my tour. But I cannot ever express enough my gratitude and respect I have for all of my fellow vets, all branches are important in the defense of our great nation. Tomorrow I will rise and put on my best civvies and go to the wall in Washington, D.C. and honor all who served, after I shall travel over to the WWII memorial and thank the surviving men and women who served in that great battle. They have earned my respect and gratitude, for I am a free man living in a free country because of the unselfish dedication and battles they have fought to keep my life free of tyranny and oppression form foreign invaders. To all my fellow veterans Semper Fidelis Top edit for shpelling  |
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Friday my two sons and I along with my wife put crosses and flags at the graves of all the veterans in the town cemetary with the boy scouts. Monday morning we'll be attending the service with the boy scouts as well. Putting all of those flags and crosses up along with reading the names and ages of all of those dead soldiers brought tears to my eyes. Most were in their early 20's. May they rest in peace knowing we are greatful. |
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Jeez, if I didn't HATE D.C. so much I'd make a pilgrimage there to pay my respects. I'd especially like to see the Vietnam Memorial-three of my neighbors from when I was young are on the wall. And no matter what Charles Krauthammer* says, I'd like to see the WWII Memorial. Maybe I need to thin out my thick skin and just do it. I was watching FOX on Saturday and he was really capping on it, how things there didn't make sense or weren't explained fully. Shit, it's a memorial. If you know all the history behind it that's good. If you don't, pay your respects, admire it, and move along. The thing doesn't need an Army-simple manual to go along with it. 
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"Memorial Day National Moment of Remembrance at 3PM. "On May 31st, 2004, pause at 3:00pm local time for a minute of respectful silence for those who have died in the service of our nation. During that minute, television and radio stations throughout America will air simultaneously a 60-second spot which includes "Taps". Turn on your radio or television to join your fellow Americans in putting Memorial back in Memorial Day." I am honoring: My Uncle who was a decorated WW II U.S. Army combat veteran who served in Europe - deceased My father-in-law who was a decorated WW II U.S. Marine combat veteran who served in the Pacific – deceased My SO’s father who was a decorated WW II Navy combat veteran who served in the Pacific – marching in a local Memorial Day Parade today My friend who was KIA 1969 in Tay Ninh, South Vietnam I thank them and all veterans from the bottom of my heart for the sacrifices they made in preserving the freedom I enjoy in America today. I will never forget them.  |
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Greetings everyone, Was out my door by 5am and in D.C. by 6am, found a parking spot about 7 blocks and walked down to the wall. It was very eerie since our weather imposed a heavy morning fog upon the area, I had found that many were already visiting and there were many in the area. It has been the first trip for me since my father is on the wall and I could never bring myself to visit until today, dad died before I knew him and I always wondered how it would be if he was here today. I found the area where his name was posted and it was pretty emotional, I did find that I was not alone in the grieving and felt that for the first time that he was with me in a strange way. It was very emotional and was honored to meet vets that served in Vietnam and WWII; many older vets came to pay respect to the fallen. Never did find the time to visit the WWII memorial, hope to see it after the rush. |
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I want to get up to Washington DC soon. It’s about a 5-hour drive from here. I have great uncle whose name is on a plaque on the USS North Carolina, not that he served on that ship but there is a memorial for all NC natives who died in WWII. I got to see it for myself a couple of years ago. My father has his purple heart and a letter from President Roosevelt, which I hope he will give me soon so I can have it properly framed and preserved. I read some of his letters that he wrote from the war. His handwriting and mine are almost identical and gave me chills the first time I saw it. From what I’ve been told, a Japanese or German soldier cut his throat while he was sleeping in his tent. I need to visit my dad soon to find out more information. Just thought I would share. |