Farmall Cub

For three hundred and sixty five days each year we enjoy freedoms many others will never have. We have our choice of religion, we have the freedom to vote for the person each of us feel will lead our country the way we think is best, we have the freedom to go where we want, do what we want and when we want. A lot of people in this world can’t do that and there is a big reason why. If not for the military personnel who gave their lives throughout the building of this nation we call the United States of America, we would all be ruled like so many of the third world nations we read about each day.

Please take time out of your busy schedule to spend a few minutes on this day, out of these 365, to honor the men and women who sacrificed all so you and I could raise our families in a world of freedom. It is such a small thing we can do for those who did the most. Unbelievably, a lot of people lose track of what this day is about. Sure it’s a day off work, a day to take the boat to the lake, or a day to have friends and family over for a big old cook out, but if not for those who gave all, we would not have any of this.

Many times I hear someone say “Happy Memorial Day”. What? I hate that statement! I’m sorry, but this is not a day to be happy. Maybe happy that we are free, but this day is set aside to honor those who died so we can be happy. In essence, this is a sad thing. As a veteran I don’t want someone to thank me today. It is not about all veterans, although they truly are important, it is about the veterans not here. I served with many who never returned home. I have a few friends, or know of family members of friends who gave it all. They are the ones we need to thank.

As I watch the Memorial Day parade pass my house today as it proceeds to the cemetery just a few hundred yards from the barnyard, I will remember the lives that were lost so we can live. I hope you will too.

Great post, and great message Barnyard.

"They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them."

Remembering my friend Sgt. Daniel Petithory,
ODA 574, 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group
KIA 5 December, 2001 - near Kandahar, Afghanistan

Dan with teamates and Karzai (Dan is front row, furthest on right..in Boston Red Sox cap)

Thanks for the posts, guys. Everyone should take time to honor those who gave it all today. Just a simple act like flying a flag in your yard means a lot.

So I had better change the title of my post. I recieved a happy Memorial Day from one of the vet groups I belong to. After all we should know.

Cecil wrote:So I had better change the title of my post. I recieved a happy Memorial Day from one of the vet groups I belong to. After all we should know.

You aren't hurting a thing. I just can't associate happy with this day. Probably a personal thing, but that's just me. I can understand where we want the families of these folks to have happy thoughts about their lost ones.

...
We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
...
-Moina Michael, 1918

I can relate. Even though we do not have a Memorial Day here, ours is more Remembrance Day - November 11th where we remember those who have fallen on a national scale. Many of us also have a special day of the month where we remember those who have fallen in days gone by, those who are serving still yet may not come home and those who are off on their very first tour. Tonight I guess is a good Monday as our monthly meeting of the Dieppe Military Veterans Association is tonight. The DMVA is all about keeping the memories of that raid alive and real for our children today and for tomorrow as well as all the other sacrifices our soldiers have paid in blood. Unlike the US, we do not have a separate Veteran's Day, I guess we sort of include those who have served, are still serving in the national day of remembrance.

My twin is still over in Kandahar - still serving (as a civilian) servicing for the Aussies and the US forces. He loves what he does, he must at 57.8 years thereabouts.... Randy says US service people are our brothers and sisters in arms and both Canucks and US Forces work very, very well together He has served off and on with US Forces since 1972. I have also had the pleasure of working side by side with some top notch US Navy rates myself.

So, a thoughtful, serene Memorial Day to all my US friends and may the reason for this day never be forgotten (+)

I have to agree with Bill, the word "Happy" does not seem to go with "Memorial Day". I worked on the ambulance job a lot over the weekend. I saw a lot of parties and even people shooting off fireworks. All I could think of was that it seems kind of disrespectful. For most people, the holiday has become a symbol of the beginning of summer, and they see that as a happy thing, and it seems the meaning of the holiday has been forgotten by many.

While getting our parade together, this morning, the person in charge of rescue, grumbled to me, about the politicians. My answer, "I'm not here, for THEM!" Ed

ScottyD'sdad wrote:While getting our parade together, this morning, the person in charge of rescue, grumbled to me, about the politicians. My answer, "I'm not here, for THEM!" Ed

My feelings exactly. Our town parade allows politicians as long as they are not campaigning. A couple of my friends are part of the honor guard and they have told me today is not about them or thanking veterans. That day is reserved for November 11 each year. They said they march every Memorial Day to remember those who died. Horray for the folks who know what today is. Veterans, and those who truly care, know there is a difference. I served, I didn't die. Don't thank me.

God Bless all our vets and a big "Thank you".

Day is done.
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky.
All is well..
Safely rest.
God is nigh.

Fading light.
Dims the sight.
And a star
Gems the sky
Gleaming bright.
From afar..
Drawing nigh
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars
Neath the sky.
As we go This we Know.
God is nigh.
This is the words to Taps

Boss

Barnyard wrote:

ScottyD'sdad wrote:While getting our parade together, this morning, the person in charge of rescue, grumbled to me, about the politicians. My answer, "I'm not here, for THEM!" Ed

My feelings exactly. Our town parade allows politicians as long as they are not campaigning. A couple of my friends are part of the honor guard and they have told me today is not about them or thanking veterans. That day is reserved for November 11 each year. They said they march every Memorial Day to remember those who died. Horray for the folks who know what today is. Veterans, and those who truly care, know there is a difference. I served, I didn't die. Don't thank me.

This is my feeling also. Many people do not know the the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.