Memorial Day

[manhunter2826]

Yes indeed, have a great holiday weekend folks.

 

[CarlTR6]

Thank you, Joan. I'm glad your brother made it out of Dunkirk. That was a hell hole. I am sorry he suffered the shell shock; but I can certainly understand. He has my respect!

In loving memory of CW2 Justin S Swofford
February 9, 1978 - February 9, 2002​

 

[The Howling Wolves]

Thank you, Joan. I'm glad your brother made it out of Dunkirk. That was a hell hole. I am sorry he suffered the shell shock; but I can certainly understand. He has my respect!

In loving memory of CW2 Justin S Swofford
February 9, 1978 - February 9, 2002​

Carl, A few quotes by those who are serving now.....

"Marine Sniper - You can run, but you'll just die tired!"

"What Do I Feel When I Kill A Terrorist? A Little Recoil"

"Marines - Providing Enemies of America an Opportunity To Die For their Country Since 1775"

"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Anyone Who Threatens It"

"Happiness Is A Belt-Fed Weapon"

"It's God's Job to Forgive Bin Laden - It's Our Job To Arrange The Meeting"

Was an e-mail sent to me this Memorial Day Week-end

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Here ..here.. THW... I so hope there will be a meeting before long with
God and Bin Laden.... I think a lot of this stuff will calm down somewhat.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Thank you, Joan. I'm glad your brother made it out of Dunkirk. That was a hell hole. I am sorry he suffered the shell shock; but I can certainly understand. He has my respect!

In loving memory of CW2 Justin S Swofford

February 9, 1978 - February 9, 2002​

Joan I'm like Carl.. but I'm so glad he did get out alive....I'm very sorry he had to live with shell shock the remainder of his life.. it's very understandable.
I'm greatful for his service to the country.. .. that was such an awful war.

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

Thank you, Joan. I'm glad your brother made it out of Dunkirk. That was a hell hole. I am sorry he suffered the shell shock; but I can certainly understand. He has my respect!

In loving memory of CW2 Justin S Swofford

February 9, 1978 - February 9, 2002​

Carl hi.. I'm so sorry for your loss.. I so respect his gift of Military Service to the USA. View attachment 75895

 

[A Guy]

HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY. DID YOU KNOW?


It really breaks my heart to know that we didn't know this goes on every
Friday, well at least I didn't know. Instead, I guess the media feels it's
more important to report on Tiger Woods with his car accident, or Brittany
Spears loosing weight and getting married for the 4th time, or football
players betting on dogs, or endless stories about Michael Jackson. I hope
this article gives you a sense of pride for what our men and women are doing
for us, everyday, as they serve in the armed forces here and abroad.

_____________________________________________
IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY! WERE YOU AWARE?

Mornings at the Pentagon

By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers

Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force
personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war.

Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing
months or years in military hospitals.

This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate,
Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a year long tour of
duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.

Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the
halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of
media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America
Website.

"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This
section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the
corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all
crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands
here.

This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices
line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate
conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.

Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air
conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area.
The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The
clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of
the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building.

"This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.

"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in
the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the
first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds
are still suppurating. By his age, I expect that he is a private, or
perhaps a private first class.

"Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as
they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of
these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The
applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in
the burden ... yet.

"Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.

"Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his
peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field
grade officer.


"11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I
laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt.

Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier
has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30. Fifty-three legs come with them,
and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall come 30 solid hearts.



"They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals.

Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to
march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through
this most unique audience.

"Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of
July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.

"There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her
19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.

These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers,
and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

"Did you know that?

Thanks to all our Vets, past and present. A Guy

 

[LADYPINKtomato1]

A Guy... I did NOT know this.. thank you so much for letting us know... I've never heard of it before today.

 

[CarlTR6]

Thank you, Joan. I'm glad your brother made it out of Dunkirk. That was a hell hole. I am sorry he suffered the shell shock; but I can certainly understand. He has my respect!

In loving memory of CW2 Justin S Swofford
February 9, 1978 - February 9, 2002​

Carl, A few quotes by those who are serving now.....

"Marine Sniper - You can run, but you'll just die tired!"

"What Do I Feel When I Kill A Terrorist? A Little Recoil"

"Marines - Providing Enemies of America an Opportunity To Die For their Country Since 1775"

"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Anyone Who Threatens It"

"Happiness Is A Belt-Fed Weapon"

"It's God's Job to Forgive Bin Laden - It's Our Job To Arrange The Meeting"

Was an e-mail sent to me this Memorial Day Week-end

I concur with all of the above!

"All gave some; some gave all"

In loving memory of CW2 Justin S Swofford
February 9, 1978 - February 9, 2002​

 

[CarlTR6]

Thank you, Joan. I'm glad your brother made it out of Dunkirk. That was a hell hole. I am sorry he suffered the shell shock; but I can certainly understand. He has my respect!

In loving memory of CW2 Justin S Swofford

February 9, 1978 - February 9, 2002​

Carl hi.. I'm so sorry for your loss.. I so respect his gift of Military Service to the USA. View attachment 75895

Thank you, M'Lady. I am very proud of his service.

HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY. DID YOU KNOW?


It really breaks my heart to know that we didn't know this goes on every
Friday, well at least I didn't know. Instead, I guess the media feels it's
more important to report on Tiger Woods with his car accident, or Brittany
Spears loosing weight and getting married for the 4th time, or football
players betting on dogs, or endless stories about Michael Jackson. I hope
this article gives you a sense of pride for what our men and women are doing
for us, everyday, as they serve in the armed forces here and abroad.

_____________________________________________
IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY! WERE YOU AWARE?

Mornings at the Pentagon

By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers

Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force
personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war.

Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing
months or years in military hospitals.

This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate,
Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a year long tour of
duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.

Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the
halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of
media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America
Website.

"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This
section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the
corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all
crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands
here.

This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices
line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate
conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.

Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air
conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area.
The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The
clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of
the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building.

"This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.

"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in
the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the
first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds
are still suppurating. By his age, I expect that he is a private, or
perhaps a private first class.

"Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as
they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of
these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The
applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in
the burden ... yet.

"Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.

"Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his
peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field
grade officer.


"11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I
laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt.

Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier
has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30. Fifty-three legs come with them,
and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall come 30 solid hearts.



"They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals.

Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to
march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through
this most unique audience.

"Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of
July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.

"There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her
19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.

These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers,
and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

"Did you know that?

Thanks to all our Vets, past and present. A Guy

Yes, I was aware of this. It is a wonderful tribute and is really good support to our wounded vets.

 

[Joan Archer]

Thank you, Joan. I'm glad your brother made it out of Dunkirk. That was a hell hole. I am sorry he suffered the shell shock; but I can certainly understand. He has my respect!

In loving memory of CW2 Justin S Swofford

February 9, 1978 - February 9, 2002​

Thanks Carl I think it was only him being able to swim that made it possible for him to reach a rescue vessel.

 

[DocBrown]

Yes indeed, have a great holiday weekend folks.

Very Nice Picture for the Holiday

 

[manhunter2826]

Yes indeed, have a great holiday weekend folks.

Very Nice Picture for the Holiday

Thanks Doc! Hope u have a good day too!

 

[A Guy]

This sign was found at a US military facility in Ramadi, Iraq, written by a member of the Marines.



A Guy