This weekend we will celebrate Memorial Day with outside activities, barbacues, laughter, and enjoyment of our friends and family.  Some of us will not.  They will be mourning those who bravely, and with valor, gave their lives so that we can enjoy and live in freedom.  We owe them, and their heirs, our reverence...a moment of contemplative, and respectful silence.

Be forever mindful that our Freedom has a bitter price.

Frank

Amen. The founders pledged their live, their fortunes and their sacred honor, and many yielded some of all of those things in the fight for freedom. No less are the sacrifices of our citizens in the military today, as we engage in a titanic struggle against evil. Freedom is never cheap, but oh so wonderful to enjoy.

Let's also remember and help the guys coming back from overseas now.  They are having a horrible time finding work and settling back into 'normal' life. 

There are many agencies and groups working with these homebound vets (most of whom are soooo young).  I will post a few on my next message

Dennis

Many here in this Country don't know how well they have it made.
I hear many complaints and of all kinds.

As an immigrant from the Middle East, I have to say this is the best Country on Earth. And I too, owe it to the brave men and women in the U.S. armed forces, past and present.

Without them, I don't think I would be here living as a free man.

Tomorrow, May 25th will mark my 37th year being in the United States. Couldn't be a better timing with the 4th. just around the corner.

Great to be here.

i would like to say few words.. but i think it's been said already. there's no place like USA in the whole planet. and we are safe asleep every night thanks to those who are serving this great nation of ours. god bless them.

born a korean, an american by choice. i believe it was one of the best choice i ever made.

pete

Everyone fly that flag!

I am a retired Air Force Major, 20 years. I enjoyed my military life when I was on active duty. We have so much to be thankful for. A lot of blood was shed so we could have a better life. This weekend, remember those who dedicated their life so we could be free.

God bless all of you and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart if i could i would shake all of your hands for doing what you do being away from your family and friends and risking your lives so we have what we have today THANK YOU ALL past and present enjoy your special day 

Thank you for posting this Bronxfig.  And thank you all for your comments.

Amen to all that has been said.

lets keep this bumped up for all to read 

This country and its underpinnings...our Constitution,  the Bill of Rights, and the unique, American philosophy, are under constant attack, both overtly, and covertly.   It will be the Domestic Enemies that will end this great experiment in freedom and personal liberties.

America once destroyed its enemies...now we elect them.   We also watch them on the screen, on TV, we read their books, their newspaper editorials, they "educate' our children...they preach from the pulpit, they direct movies.  They protest, and shut down Wall Street, cause chaos....rebels without a cause.  They disrupt, and complain, yet reap the benefits that this country gives them.  WE make them rich by continuing to use what they produce. 

I pick and chose what I want to see, hear, and read.  I write letters to editors, to the elected... I make phone calls, and let my voice be heard, and I will not buy products that I know were produced by America-Haters...so, no Barbara Streisand CDs...no Jane Fonda, no Sean Penn...you get the point.  And I vote.

Memorial Day is not only for acknowledging the debt paid by our Armed Forces, in blood, but for also remembering who and what will crush this country from within.  When America dies...it will die by its own hand.

These are my personal opinions and feelings.  If you agree, fine,... if you disagree, fine.

Frank

hanoi fonda still around? i need to watch more tv... i'm missing out of things.. lol

pete

Pete...

You have missed nothing....Just recently caught a passing glimpse of her being interviewed by some sycophantic, "talking-head".  I find nothing that she has to say would be to my interests.   Just more Hollywood trash.

...."If there be profit in it, none dare call it treason"...

Frank

From my garden. I was trying to make the Allium bloom look like firework's:

My flag flies 24/7/365, lighted. I'll NEVER forget the sacrifices made by those who gave all. I love the men and women who go in harms way on my behalf, but so often find myself feeling bitter contempt for those who so nonchalantly sent them.

Al    

Thank-you all for the patriotic sentiments, and for all the respect and gratitude towards our Armed Forces.  I enjoyed reading  the comments expressed, and for the PMs that I have received.   I have a renewed hope that the course that this country is on, can be, and must be, reversed.  Teach your children well...they are our future.

God Bless America, and all those who respect the wonderful gift of Freedom!

Frank
 

I also express my sympathy.  We all have heros in the family, actually I was named after a purple heart, and we have sons, and grand sons.  This is the point of view from a lady.  This is the weekend of respect for the boys that died, and the families that mourned.

This lady does not support wars without honor.
Suzi

We lost several family members [from US and Canada] in that war. And friends like
Peter Scott, my uncle's B24-copilot, died on a mission in November 1944.
My uncle turned 90 in January, and Pete would have been 90 also this year.
However, his life ended at age 22 and he is buried at Arlington.

Thank-you for continuing to share your personal stories, and profound respect for those who serve, and for those who have fallen.

I was named after my father's brother Frank...he was  a Ranger stationed in Germany, and was part of those who paved the way for the D-Day invasion.  He was scheduled to return home, and he and some of his friends went out to celebrate the good news.  On the way into town, the jeep in which he was riding hit a bump in the road, and it overturned, killing him instantly...the rest of his friends were unharmed.  When the telegram was delivered, part of my grandmother died that day also.  She was dead by age 46.  I never knew her, nor my namesake.

Did they die in vain?

Frank

Frank - NO!!!!!!!!!!!  They did NOT die in vein, and I believe the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for OUR freedom did not die in vein.  There are times when it may appear on the surface during some wars or "police actions" or whatever they want to call it without the official declaration of war - but remember it's only on the surface. 

We are a beacon of light to those around the world who yearn for human rights and civil liberties.  I am in the food industry and have always worked with immigrants - legal and illegal. Many from Central and South America, a fair share from Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.  By golly I think I covered the globe!  ALL of them who come here as adults have chosen to do so and choose to stay.  If people risk there lives to come here we must be doing something right.

Do some choices and decisions the powers at be in parts of the government do things that make me furious?  You bet!!  But that's OK because our system is designed for term limits - voting. 

I love this country.   Thank you to every serviceman, woman, and support personal for doing a great service for us.

Frank, we have not always gotten it right. We have probably had some wars that we didn't need. However, I doubt that you will find any country in history that has sacrificed so much of their own blood for so many other people in other countries. No country that has that has been both a beacon and a soldier for freedom across the globe. If you have a flood, hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, or whatever, who are you going to call? The men and women of our armed forces who are ready willing and quite capable of providing any service you can imagine: instant airports and traffic control, temporary docks and ports, floating hospitals, air-lift capability, logistics, manpower, and so much more.
Sacrificing for freedom is never in vain, but it is never cheap

Very nice to read some of thoughts, and comments posted on this thread.  It is inspiring to read some of the provocative, and emotional responses in reply to the rhetorical questions posted on this thread.

The sparkling "American  Spirit" cannot, and will not, ever be extinguished. 

Thank-you, one and all.

Frank

My thanks to the many family, friends and strangers, past, present and future who have helped preserve the lives of freedom and plenty we enjoy.

Some of us many not like alternate viewpoints or ways of living, and we have the right to agree or disagree about such things ... because so many have fought for the rights of everyone to think, say outloud, and act in the way we/they want. Celebrate diversity - it's what makes us strong.

One of the things that I think most Americans should do to appreciate how really good it is here (even when we think it's bad) is to do some traveling to parts of the world where things actually are bad.

How very lucky to be living in this time and place.

Thanks again. Gina.