This is NBR but.....

M

MikeeH

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I know this isn't boating related but this time I am intentionally overstepping the forum boundries. I hope all will understand and accept this digression.

I am a Veteran and a damn proud one. As a Veteran of a very unpopular war and during a period in this country's history when military service was not seen as the honor it is today, I do appreciate hearing a "thanks" now and then. That said, Memorial Day is not one of those times to feel obligated to thank a Veteran who you see or know. Memorial Day is a day to stop, think about and thank all those who served thoughout our history and didn't come home. If you feel it necessary to thank someone this Memorial Day, thank the family who lost one of their own when he or she made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and honor.
 
Well said Mike. As a PGR rider, I have a full schedule on Memorial Day as usual.
 
Mike,
Appreciation for your service is well earned and long overdue. My hat's off to you. I'm a vet as well -- know what an RPG sounds like going off 5 feet away in Sangin, Helmand Province, AFGN -- but what I don't know is the unfathomable grief of losing a parent, sibling or child to combat.

You are spot on -- Memorial Day is for us all to remember those who gave their last full measure of devotion so that this nation, and its government of the People, by the People, and for the People, shall not perish from the earth.

V/R
Bill
 
Thanks, Mike!

Well said. I never knew until a few years ago, how scared and worried my father was while I was in Nam. Families also deserve a BIG thank you.
 
At work, I sit 10 feet from a lady who lost her son in Afganistan back in Jan. I hope I never have to go again, but going to Arlington for his burial was an experience I'll never forget.
We estimate there were about 350 people in attendance there, probably half in uniform representing all branchs of the military, all the way from enlisted up to a 2 star. Add to that number about another 60-70 who were actually part of the burial detail, and it was an impressive sight. When it comes to a soldier killed in action, they pull out all the stops.
 
Flags fluttering in the wind -
Proudly they wave.
Remember.
The soulful sound of Taps -
Echoing o'er their graves.
A reminder.
From Flanders Field to Afghanistan,
They gave their all for a higher cause.
A calling.
White and black, and colors in-between,
Men and women, equal in extreme.
Gone.
But forgotten? Never. For what they have done
Is etched in our souls, everyone.
Cherished.
So, proudly we stand, in awe and respect.
For their sacrifices we thank them.
We remember.

To all veterans, those living and those gone, to their families and loved ones: we thank you for your service on our behalf; we remember. Hy
 
+1 on the thread

Hy - did you write that? I don't think I've seen it before
If so, well done
 
I think it is Boating Related. These people gave their life so that we may have the wherewithal and ability to enjoy the freedom of boating. It matters not to me whether the particular conflict itself, in retrospect, aided that freedom in any obvious way. A lot of the lessons we learned from Vietnam have saved many lives down the road. Never, ever think a soldier gave his life in vain or that the joys of life you get to experience weren't bought in large part by his ultimate sacrifice.
 
Yes, I wrote the poem. I've been writing poetry and short stories for over thirty years, just for the fun of it. It's my way of presenting my feelings. Thanks you for your kind words. and thanks to our veterans, including my father-in-law, a veteran of WW II and a recipient of a Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. Hy
 
An excellent poem and deserves to be read by many on Memorial Day
 
My father-in-law was a medic on the beaches at Normandy (with his brother who did not survive). Unfortunately he passed several years ago. He never spoke of his service, but I have no doubt that I owe him a great debt.

Mike
 
Hy,

Beautiful. May I share your poem more widely and credit your full name as author?
 
MikeeH: I would be honored if you share by poem as my way of honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I've sent you a PM. Hy
 
"These people gave their life so that we may have the wherewithal and ability to enjoy the freedom of boating."

And the freedom/option to shop for a new car, mattress, appliances, etc. Really feel the commercialization of Memorial Day (mostly the sales ads, not restaurants and food stores) is a dishonor to those that gave their lives yet it's very much a resultant product of the veterans' service. Thumbs up to the businesses that are closed that day. THAT IS AN HONOR!
 
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