To all who have served

[546cowboy 301]

As a kid growing up here in the Midwest in the 1950's Memorial Day was a great event, much more than today. Every small town in the country spent the whole day honoring the men who fought in WWII and Korea. Everyone in town would go to the cemetery for the ceremonies and bow their heads in memory for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom. Towns had parades like today but they also had a town wide picnic with games for all ages. 

 

It seems today people just go through the motions but with so many who never served the real emotion is not there. I was from that Viet Nam era where being a Veteran was not warmly greeted on the home front. The turmoil of the late 60's and early 70's changed the way some viewed Memorial Day.

 

Thank God opinions have moderated a bit but there are many who think it's a time to protest and I'll tell you I get damned mad when I see it on my TV. Like those who stood there with signs and banners when out brave  were being carried off planes to be sent to their final resting place. Luckily they are a minor group.

 

It makes this Vet proud when you see those that come home and honored with an escort of Vets, police, relatives and even the slanted members of the news media

 

Thank you all who have served and are continuing to guard our freedoms from those who would take them away.      

[jdleach 525]

Amen.

 

U.S. Navy 1975-1981.

[953 nut 52,238]

   US Navy, 1964 -68 

[rmaynard 14,951]

I too grew up in the 1950's, and the Memorial Day parade was quite the big thing. Granted, when I was five, WWII had only been over for 10 years, so it was still fresh in the minds of our parents and relatives. Everyone then had someone who served or even died in battle. As a child, when the American flag went by, if I did not take my hat off and place my hand over my heart, I got whacked in the back of the head. The sound of a marching band and the sight of the flag being paraded down the middle of the street today still stirs a feeling in my heart, and chills run down my spine.

 

Patriotism was instill in us as kids, but nowadays, kids are being taught something entirely different, It makes me sick.

 

Thanks to all who made that ultimate sacrifice. I will be forever grateful.

Edited May 25, 2014 by rmaynard

[19richie66 17,004]

Thank you to all who have served and those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.Your sacrifice could never be repaid.

[jay brasell 2]

Many thanks to all the service men and women out there. Thanks for the many sacrifices y'all have made for our freedom.

[papaglide 541]

We always had a parade with bagpipers and Shriners and school marching bands and fire trucks. I grew up in a village of 5000 and most of us would line up on the sidewalks, with lawn chairs or just standing to watch. the The parade ended at our village library where there was a small monument and flag. The local American Legion honor guard would be there. Someone would say a few things on a PA and the Legionnaires would fire a salute. Then everyone would go across the street to the Harry Clifton Post for hot dogs and soda. I was born in '65. These memories are from the 70's. Good times. I am not sure that there is even a parade in my hometown anymore. It's almost like no one gives a crap anymore. Was it because WW2 was still so big in everyone's minds? Or turmoil of the hippie 60's crap was over? Or because the bicentennial was huge? Or a combo of it all. My kids are missing out on a lot and I really don't like that.

[Fun Engineer 859]

Heading out this morning to attend our first Memorial Day parade in our "new" home town. Thank you veterans and please remember why we pay tribute today. Those who paid the supreme sacrifice permit us to enjoy the freedom we have today.

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[pinecone 26]

navy. 67-73. last two years reserve. enlisted after getting drafted, not a good year to be drafted. odd thing is i never saw a ship. hunted ussr nuke subs from an island in the carib.. someone had to do it. will go visit my 91 year old mother that was a ww2 vet, also in the navy. enjoy the day. no mowing if you can help it, just relax.

[JC 1965 1,528]

Army 65-67 Very bad time to be drafted.  Thank You !!

[semperfi8185 56]

USMC 81-85

Yesterday my son participated with the St. Louis area cub scouts and boy scouts and placed flags on the 192,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks national cemetery. My 9 year old was impressed by the dates on the headstones in our section. All of the men had died in 1864 and came from Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. It was a perfect day.

Greg

[dodgemike 52]

Thank You to all who served and

their families. My Dad fought in

the Korean war. About ten yrs. ago

his unit had a reunion and I met

many of the guys I had heard about. Highlight of the summer.

Several of those men are gone now.

Had an uncle in the Navy that was

at Pearl Harbor. He is gone as well.

I hope I instilled in my kids the

sacrifices made by some so all can

be free. This is still the best place

in the world to live.

God Bless America and all who have served her.

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[SALTYWRIGHT 859]

     ^{ARMY  1951 / 1953}

[rexman72 210]

thank to all that served

[posifour11 723]

2004-present.

I appreciate the wishes, folks.

[546cowboy 301]

I appreciate all your comments and I knew from the military emblems we have many Veterans on this site. Like I said, I grew up in the 50's and I guess I left out my dates of service. Jan 1966 to December 1968 and as you can see I volunteered at a really bad time. Never had to go over though which leaves mixed feelings but I saw many who came back and knew many who didn't. For all still in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the world 

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,130]

We skipped the parade this year and went to the local cemetery where the NJHS kids recently placed flags on EVERY SINGLE military grave even the revolutionary war.  We walked and talked and found several men who died in battle and we stopped to think about them.  Never knew any of them, but we stopped and recognized them.  It's quite sobering when you look around the cemetery and see all the flags knowing why they're there, and even more so to see the graves of these brave men (kids) who didn't return.  We left with a heavy heart, talked about how their sacrifice keeps us safe to this day and will not be forgotten or taken for granted.