Many people don't understand the nature of the freedom we have. They think that if we are free, there shouldn't be an army, or any other military force. COME ON PEOPLE! WAKE UP! It's because of the army and other military forces the you have this precious commodity called freedom. There are people in other parts of the world who would give their lives to have just a little of the freedom you have. I'm a 48 year old disabled veteran and I love the USA. I would gladly give my life to keep this country free. I'm passing the torch of freedom to you. It's time for you to do your part to keep this country of ours free. Maybe after you have a taste of military life, you'll realize what kind of price has been paid for you to enjoy all this. Where else can you openly insult the leader of the nation you live in on national TV. I've lived in parts of the world where people are imprisoned simply for speaking out against taxes. Thank your lucky stars you don't live there. You live in the freest nation on the face of the earth. Enjoy it. But remember, a tremendous cost has been paid for you to do this. This Memorial Day weekend, please remember those who paid the ultimate price and those that are fighting for your freedom at this very moment.

I served in the US Army, 5th Infantry Division, 105th S&T Bn, Co B, Ft. Polk, Louisiana as a truck driver (64C10-70, light, heavy) and I'm proud of it!

I'm also listed on a memorial at the Vernon Parish Veteran's Park in Leesville, Louisiana.





My name is circled in red here.

My parents names are listed also.

Freedom Isn't free!

The US once had a section that wanted to seperate itself from the rest of the nation, and did. It was the CSA, the Confederate States of America. The United States government wasn't going to stand for this, and rightly so. After much political debate and bickering the southern states let their cannon do their talking for them, at Ft. Sumpter. After nearly 5 years of unrelenting war, the south was defeated, but at a terrible price. Was it worth it? Yes. Had the union remained divided, the US would not be the nation it is today. Ancestors of mine, both European immigrants and Native Americans alike, fought on both sides. Many were killed. They died fighting for what they believed in. Some fought for the Union, some for the Confederacy. Today, it doesn't matter what side they were on, except to the historians. They are all veterans, Union and Confederate alike, they are remembered as American veterans, and that is how I will remember them on Memorial Day. As American veterans who died for their country, to defend the rights and beliefs that were important to them, to defend their homeland, their freedom and their way of life. As you look around at all that you have, at your family, your home, I ask you, what is more important than that?

Any combat veteran will tell you there is no glory in war..

Yet we answered our county's call to arms.

On this Memorial Day..

And above all other veterans.

Remember those that paid the ultimate price for your freedom.

Those KIA.

We owe them that little for the price they paid.

So,I salute all of my fallen brothers of all wars..

To all who have served and have fallen...We will remember you.

For if we ever forget, we cease to be a free nation.

Herc Driver


Almost 18 years military service starting
with Operation Desert Shield and
Operation Desert Storm flying the C-9.
Numerous strategic airlift missions flying the C-5.
189 Combat Sorties flying the C130 in
Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom.

But I've done nothing...those who
gave their last breath for this country
deserve our highest honor.
For they paid the ultimate price.

Thanks, Running Bear. Exactly my thought, but expressed in a beautiful way.

Lynn

It is hard to ignore the sacrifices that others have made to maintain our freedom. I did my four years in the Air Force, but never left this country, never got shot at and never was at any greater risk worse than getting put on KP for not having my bed made properly. I sacrificed only time, others sacrificed much more than that.

I salute all that served, especially those that were and still are in the thick of things where and when we needed them the most. I thank them all.

Thank you for posting this thread Jeffrey---my wife and I recently returned from a trip to Italy,which included a visit to the War Cemetery at Monte Cassino.Italy is truely a beautiful country,but what stood out for me were the fields where red poppies grew in abundance.To me,a red poppy will always symbolize a fallen soldier and their supreme sacrifice.Today we remember our armed forces and allies (in Canada,Nov.11th is our day to remember),but I think we should honour our armed forces everyday for without their efforts,we could not enjoy the freedom we have---God bless all our allies and keep them safe from harm

Mr Nutbar,

Thanks for those photos... It is alarming how fast even WW2 is now passing from living memory!

Here's a bit more about Sgt Richardson, who was part of the First Special Service Force - a joint Canada - US group that operated in Italy (among other places). <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.specialforcesroh.com/browse.php?mode=viewiroll&rollid=3494">http://www.specialforcesroh.com/browse. ... ollid=3494</a><!-- m -->

Andrew

Thank you for starting this thread Jeffrey. It was a good reminder of why we set aside this day.

Ralph

I heard on NPR this afternoon about a Memorial Day service that's been held annually for close to 50 years. It's held on Flanders Field in Belgium...by Belgian citizens, honoring Americans fallen on that field. The children memorize the National Anthem and sing it at the ceremony and lay wreaths on the tombstones there. It seems that whatever "official" differences may exist at the "upper" levels, the people still remember, and honor.

Ralph Wrote:Thank you for starting this thread Jeffrey. It was a good reminder of why we set aside this day.

Ralph

At the top of every page on my forum are the words 'FREEDOM ISN'T FREE'. It serves as a constant reminder of the sacrifices that were made so we could have these free forums and the other luxuries we enjoy day to day. At no time do I take those words for granted.

Thanks for posting this. I basically agree.

I'm almost 50 and never served in a war but my Dad was a WW2 vet. He served as a dispatch rider in Italy. His troop landed in Sicily in 1943 and then went up through Italy. He never saw active combat but it was very stressful and he came back with a nervous disorder. His involvement in WW2 has made me appreciate the sacrifices that have been made to keep us free over the decades.

Rob

I always think of what it would have been like - living in another country.... I saw that Reporter returning from her recent imprisonment overseas...

Just to prove my point, (I'm not looking it up) --- I can not remember her name offhand, but I do remember her happy and content look as she was speaking to the press in D.C.

She said..... "I'm glad to be back in a free country" That's what this all means.... She was imprisoned not as a reporter, but as a spy, Guilty..... until (maybe) proven innocent...

............. and she was glad to be back home.......... This is what the armed forces of The United states stand for!! and this is what countless have died for!!

My uncle was at Hickum Field when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Yes, it's in the most recent movie... I was thinking of him when the field was being barraged with Japanese bombs.. I was remembering the stories he told us of how horrible it was...

He was a lucky one, he lived 'til he passed from old age.. We got to enjoy and learn from him. A lot of his fellow soldiers never got the chance to return to their families from WWII...

.. and we remember....

I just brought my 96 year old father to Colorado from California. He was on OMAHA Beach on D-Day. To this day, he cannot bring himself to speak about it beyond a few, brief words about the horror.

Soon, he and the rest of his brave generation will be gone from among us, and who will remember then?

So true! Who will remember. To the todays youth, it is nothing but history.

I had 2 good friends, Ben Blackmon and Joe Fitcher, both Pearl Harbor survivors. Ben is now gone. Tyler, Tx has a large gathering at Memorial Park in town with both state and national congressmen. I missed going the year this happened. They have chairs in an open-sided tent. Joe suddenly started having a heat stroke, and Ben asked if one of a bunch of teens sitting there if he could have a seat. They just sat there and looked at him like he was asking for their car. Joe ended up sitting on the ground under a tree while the teens sat and looked at him. These men were well into their 80s. Doesn't say much for kids nowadays.

I wrote a pretty scathing letter to the local paper about this ocurrence. The bad remarks I got were that I didn't blast away as much as they would like. My wife was sit manager for Meals On Wheels at the time, and that is where we got to know those MEN.

Oh, well, don't get me started.

Lynn