It's That Time Again!!

[protectionist]

Yes, last week of May. Time to pay tribute to those who asked for little, who just quietly went out and did their jobs, and gave all they had to protect America, and all the American people. Those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Who went to war and lost their lives as the greatest heroes we could ever have.

This is the week leading into Memorial Day. It is being observed Monday, May 26, but as always the whole weekend will be the Memorial Day weekend, which will feature parades and solemn ceremonies at military cemeteries all over the USA. Without any further ado, the following are some of the men & women whom we all owe a great debt of gratitude to. Thank you to all of them, and may they rest in peace.

Air Force Lt. Col. Gwendolyn A. Locht, 46, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Died November 16, 2010 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom ; assigned to 96th Inpatient Operations Squadron, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.; died in Houston, Texas, after having been medically evacuated from Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Army Spc. Christian J. Chandler, 20, of Trenton, Texas

Died April 28, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom ; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Roberto C. Skelt, 41, of York, Florida.

Died February 12, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom ; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died in Kapisa province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire.

Army Sgt. First Class William K. Lacey, 38, of Laurel Hill, Florida

Died January 4, 2014 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom ; assigned to 201st Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Ky.; died in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when the enemy attacked his unit with rocket propelled grenades.

Army Spc. Brittany B. Gordon, 24, of St. Petersburg, Florida

Died October 13, 2012 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom ; assigned to 572 Military Intelligence Company, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

Army Staff Sgt. Richard L. Vazquez, 28, of Seguin, Texas

Died November 13, 2013 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom ; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; died Nov. 13, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit was attacked with an improvised explosive device while on dismounted patrol in Panjwai, Afghanistan.

 

[WinterBorn]

R.I.P. to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country. Our nation owes you a great debt.

May those who loved them find peace. Thank you for your sacrifice as well.

To those who use their deaths for political, social or internet glory, a show of false compassion, or as an excuse to belittle others, you should be ashamed.

 

[protectionist]

Images for Memorial Day

 

[Trinnity]

I'm so proud of the integrity and loyalty of our service men and women. We should honor them this weekend and never forget they're willing to die for our sake.

God bless America.

 

[WinterBorn]

R.I.P. to my great-uncle, lost with the USS Indianapolis on July 30th, 1945. You were not forgotten.

 

[WinterBorn]

R.I.P. Major Alan Rogers. Killed on patrol in Iraq, Feb 2008.

R.I.P. Cpl Andrew Wilfahrt. Killed in Afganistan in Feb 2011.



These two gay soldiers paid the ultimate price for their love of country and to serve.

 

[protectionist]

R.I.P. Major Alan Rogers. Killed on patrol in Iraq, Feb 2008.

R.I.P. Cpl Andrew Wilfahrt. Killed in Afganistan in Feb 2011.

These two gay soldiers paid the ultimate price for their love of country and to serve.

Rest in peace to both of them. They join the ranks of the highest, most-honored Americans.

 

[protectionist]

R.I.P. to my great-uncle, lost with the USS Indianapolis on July 30th, 1945. You were not forgotten.

Never forgotten. Amen. And to my uncle, first sergeant paratrooper with the New York Army National Guard, died in the Marianas Pacific Islands, in WW II. RIP and highest tribute to both of these great men.

 

[kylelavito]

god bless america

 

[RKMBrown]

Land that I love!

 

[protectionist]

One way that people can commemorate Memorial Day is by attaching an American flag to their car window. The ones that are made for that, are only one dollar each. I am displaying one on my car, for the 3 days of the Memorial Day weekend (Sat-Sun-Mon). I also will go out very early tomorrow morning, and put up about 40 American flags around my apartment complex. It will be impossible for anyone driving in or out, to forget this important weekend, and the special significance of it.

This is a throwback to when I was a kid growing up in New York City in the early 1950s. Both the Korean War and World War II had just passed, and were still fresh in people's minds. It was a special era for patriotism in America. The then young World War II and Korea vets were all home with tattoos of eagles, flags, or anchors on their arms, movie theaters were packed with war movies, and nobody even heard of an American flag being burned.

Instead, you could walk down my street (or any street in New York then) on Memorial Day, and see hundreds of American flags sticking out of windows of the 6 story tall apartment buildings. It was like being immersed in a giant cloud of red, white, and blue.

Putting lots of flags out may not bring back our lost brothers and sisters, but it does pay a world of homage to them, and reinvigorates the true spirit of Memorial Day.

 

[protectionist]

NPS areas in and around the nation's capital will host or assist in special activities during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, including an unusual concert and opportunity to view the city from a unique location.

Here's just a sampling of events this coming weekend in the Washington, D.C. area:

On Saturday, May 25, you have the opportunity to enjoy a rare view of Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas along a rather unusual musical experience. That afternoon between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. visitors will be allowed to climb the tower of the 50-bell Netherlands Carillon located at Route 50 and the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Arlington.

A guest artist will be performing a concert, and those who make the climb can watch the carillonneur perform in addition to enjoying the view of the city. Carillon concerts will be presented on Saturdays and national holidays from May through September. More details are available on the website for the George Washington Memorial Parkway, or by calling 703/289-2500/2552.

The carillon concert is especially appropriate for Memorial Day weekend. According to a park publication,

...the Netherlands Carillon expresses the gratitude of the Dutch people for American aid received during and after World War II. The carillon itself symbolizes the friendship between the people of the Netherlands and those of the United States.

In 1954 the 49-bell carillon was installed in a temporary tower in West Potomac Park, where it was formally accepted by the United States. The present tower was built near the United States Marine Corps War Memorial and the bells were installed in 1960. The carillon was officially dedicated on May 5, 1960, on the 15th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands from the Nazis.

With the imminent 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands in 1995, a group of prominent Dutch businessmen decided to establish a foundation to assist in the modernization and refurbishment of the carillon and the tower. These men were mindful of the original motivation of the Netherlands Carillon as a token of gratitude for American assistance in restoring Holland's freedom...The 50th bell of the Netherlands Carillon was officially dedicated on Friday May 5, 1995, on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.

If you plan to visit during a concert and climb the tower, keep in mind that it's about 127 feet high.

A rectangular staircase leads to an observatory platform from which a small circular staircase winds up to the glass-enclosed playing cabin 83 feet above the ground.

The Netherlands Carillon is located on the Virginia shore of the Potomac River opposite Washington, D.C. and bordering the northern end of Arlington National Cemetery, adjacent to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial.

On Sunday, May 24, the National Symphony Orchestra will perform a free outdoor holiday concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The National Memorial Day Concert will begin at 8 p.m. and is also broadcast live on PBS. Click here for some tips if you plan to attend the concert.

Another option for a concert that same evening is the Summer Blast Off at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, which kicks off the summer season with a free performance at 8:00 p.m. by the U.S. Marine Band, followed by fireworks. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the park closes once capacity is reached, so organizers suggest you arrive early for this event. Click here for directions, metro shuttle information, and other details.

The NPS staff at the National Mall and Memorial Parks will be busy with other events in and near parks in the area. According to local media reports, activities on Monday, May 25 include:

• A wreath-laying ceremony and concert at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery at 11 a.m.

• The annual Memorial Day Observance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial pays tribute to those who served and died in Vietnam. The event starts at 1 p.m. and will include Presentation of the Colors, remarks by a special guest, and a laying of wreaths by patriotic organizations.

• The National Memorial Day Parade begins at 2 p.m. at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Streets, NW and proceeds along Constitution Avenue, past the White House, ending at 17th Street. The parade is sponsored by the World War II Veterans Committee, and includes marching bands and veterans units from all 50 states, patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons.

 

[Listening]

Just finished "We were soldiers once....and young" for about the 10th time.

God bless those who gave it all in the service of their country.

 

[protectionist]

Here's a list of Memorial Day observances in the Tampa Bay area >>

• St. Petersburg, Florida - Bay Pines VA Healthcare System will commemorate Memorial Day with a ceremony on Monday, May 26, 10 a.m., at the Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., the only National Cemetery in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties and typically the largest local observance of Memorial Day with more than 3,000 in attendance.
The nearly 34,000 graves at the cemetery will be marked with U.S. flags to honor the men and women who served the nation.
Bay News 9 anchor Holly Gregory will host the 2014 event, which will include musical performances, a firing salute, and taps performance. New to the event this year will be the Amputee Veterans of America Support Team – the only amputee color guard unit in the United States.
Guest speakers include Bay Pines VAHCS Director Suzanne Klinker, Saint Petersburg VA Regional Office Director Kerrie Witty and Florida National Cemetery Assistant Director Maurice Roan. Annette Kirk, American Gold Star Mothers, will provide the keynote speech. Kirk is the mother of Pfc. Paul Cuzzupe II who gave his life in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2010.
Parking is available nearby. Shuttles will provide transportation for guests from parking lots to the cemetery. The venue is handicapped accessible. A sign language interpreter will be available for the hearing impaired. For more information, call the cemetery office at 398-9426.

• The city of Largo hosts a Memorial Day ceremony May 26 at 7 p.m. at Largo Central Park's Military Court of Honor, 101 Central Park Drive. The event will include a color guard presentation, music and a wreath presentation in remembrance of U.S. fallen soldiers. The ceremony will also feature, keynote speaker, LTC Cynthia Cook, USAR from US CENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Tampa. For more information, visit LargoEvents.com or call (727)587-6740 ex. 5014.

• St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church, 2790 Sunny Breeze Ave. in Largo, invites the community to attend the annual outdoor Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, 11 a.m. The ceremony will take place on the lawn. The Sons of the American Revolution will present the colors, followed by the salute to the flag and singing of the national anthem. Speaker is Barbara Haselden, chairman of S. Pinellas 912. Those attending should bring chairs.

• American Legion Post 273, 600 American Legion Drive in Madeira Beach, hosts its annual Memorial Day celebration Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m. For more information, call 398-5680 or email [email protected].

• Boy Scouts will decorate veterans’ graves with flags starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24, at the Cycadia Cemetery, 1005 East Tarpon Ave. in Tarpon Springs.

• American Legion Post 46 will host a Memorial Day Service at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 25, at Cycadia Cemetery, 1005 East Tarpon Springs.

• A Memorial Day Service on May 26 begins at 10 a.m. at Veterans’ Monument at Craig Park, 100 Beekman Lane. The service is sponsored American Legion Post 46 and the Tarpon Springs Elks Lodge.

 

[protectionist]

On Memorial Day, when we think of past wars that US troops fought and died in only a handful come to mind for most of us. Most of us would say the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American war, the Civil War, the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, World War I and II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, the Persian Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the Afghanistan War.

Well, that is quite a few right there. Actually, technically. the US has been in 120 wars since the Revolutionary War, with US troops killed in almost all of them, and I'd just like to say may we honor those troops who died in the many lesser known wars, just as much as any other war.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_United_States