Memorial Day

Yes, Yes, Freedom does not come cheap. We owe much to those that have served our country.

I agree!! A big thank you to all of our men and women who make this a great place to live.

A Poem by: Father D. E. O'Brien

"It's the Soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to demonstrate.
It's the Soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trail.
And it's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
who serves the flag,
whose coffin is draped in the flag,
that allows the protester to burn the flag"

To you all,

THANK YOU

for the job you do or have done!

The average age of the men and women in the military is 19 years.

Happy Memorial Day To Everyone And if anyone is Traveling This Weekend Be Safe On the Highways And Lets Praise All The Women & Men That Give There Lifes For our Freedom on this Memorial Day

Just this week our town buried it's first casualty of this war. Let's not forget, Freedom Is Not Free.

We give thank for all those serve our country!

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

its time for a moment of slience

REPRINT: From The Hall of Congress

Memorial Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. ... Every year at this time we gather to reflect on the sacrifices of so many Americans and acknowledge those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

This year, as our troops are engaged around the world in the War on Terrorism, we are especially mindful that dedicated and courageous soldiers have set aside their comfortable lives here in America and answered the call of duty to their country. They are all heroes—they face enemies every day and yet stand resolved to carry out their mission and keep America safe. Many will return home with the pride of having served their country honorably—others will return to be honored for fighting, and falling, in the line of duty. We owe all of these men and women a debt of gratitude and respect.

Throughout our nation’s history, countless Americans have valiantly fought to secure peace and liberty. While touring America at the turn of the 19th century, Alexis de Tocqueville remarked that we are a people who value democracy and therefore pursue peace. He also understood that no one would fight harder for their values than a democratic people. On this Memorial Day we are reminded of that truth as we reflect on wars past and present.

As one of twelve Members of Congress who is a veteran of World War II, I am pleased that we just dedicated the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. on Saturday. The memorial required eight years of planning, six years of public deliberation and four years of fund raising. Contributions came from hundreds of thousands of individual Americans as well as corporations, foundations, veterans groups, fraternal and professional organizations, States, communities and schools.

This memorial will be a visible reminder of the 16 million Americans who served during World War II, the 400,000 Americans who died in the line of duty, and the millions of men and women who supported the effort on the home front. Their valiant efforts helped secure the freedoms that we enjoy today and secured America’s leadership throughout the world.

Ours has been called the ‘Greatest Generation’ -- but in reality our parents were the great ones, because they survived two wars and a depression and understood the importance of work and sacrifice. They instilled in the World War II generation a sense of duty that mobilized America to action and ultimate victory.

The memorial takes a prominent place on the National Mall—along with monuments to the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War I—and I hope that it will be a source of inspiration for current and future generations. Today, we join together as a Nation to give our collective gratitude and remembrance to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. May God bless their friends and families—and may their sacrifice never be forgotten.

And I am sure there are so many other out there that servered our contry. i do over 20 years and am glad I did. I am going to see a freind of mine that is on one of the ships that is came in to NYC. Cant wait to see him. I will show him what NYC can offer because he will enjoy it. He just came from Iraq and I am very glead to be able to see him and have fun..

Well said. I am a veteran but this day is not for me. I am still here. It is to pay tribute to our brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. If you are at a parade don't forget to take off your hat when the flag passes by and place your right hand over your heart. A person died so you can enjoy the parade that you are watching.

I, too, am a veteran. I served 26 years in the United States Navy.

I salute the Flag of these United States. I salute my brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice and will not be here to celebrate this Memorial Day. A day in their honor.

God bless them and God Bless America!!

i agree

WISHING EACH AND EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY. DRIVE SAFE...ARRIVE ALIVE...

To all the men and women in the armed forces, I Give you a heart felt Thank You. To the Family Members of soldiers killed in action I grieve with you, I ask that you understand that their death has made our country a safer place of us all. To our wounded, may our God always Bless you and guide you through the rest of your life, thanks so much for your sacrifice.

Be safe always.

To all who've made the Supreme Sacrifice and to their families, I wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Mike

Many thanks to all who have served in the past, are serving today and will some day serve in the future. In addition to serving directly thanks also go to those whose children serve and all of the support provided to them daily.

We sometimes need to remember we have Veterans Day for the living who have served. As a veteran, I enjoy the events honoring veterans who came before me in service. Memorial Day is more solemn because it should be when we pause to honor all who have died in service to the country. All of us in the US need to put down that hot dog for a least a minute and thank those that gave all.

bless our Service Men & Women! Thank you for your service to this great country!

As a Viet Nam Veteran, I know what it's like to not have your military service appreciated by many. May we never let that happen again to our brave servicemen and women who put it all on the line for the freedoms we sometimes take for granted. Kudos to all of them and their families!

I would just like to add my thoughts and gratitude as well. Thank you for all you who help keep our country free and safe.

We Americans and people in the fine countries that are in this group are very lucky. We all know of someone that is or has been in the forces that are sworn to protect us and our livelihoods. We don’t think of these people every minute of the day but they stand the line every day, ready to give all for the masses. In America we are celebrating Memorial Day, this is a day to remember the people in our armed forces and to remember the ones that have given all for us. I was once a soldier in our army and I have fought in a war so I know what many of our fine young people are going through by being over there. We all need to take a few minutes from our dinners, parties, and barbeques and give a well felt thank you to the people in our armed forces. They give all so we can remain free.

As we enjoy our freedom, let us all pray for those who ensure our safety here and abroad, for those who have paid the ultimate price and their families and friends left behind, and for the wounded whose lives are forever changed.

Have a safe holiday to all.

Don't forget our Legionaires on the Memorial Day.

I spent the better part of the day visiting my Grandfather and other relatives buried at Arlington. I will post some of my pictures for all to see soon...Freedom is Not FREE!!!

These are some of my favorite shots from this past memorial day weekend....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottshots1/