simplemind is offline simplemind Post #1  May 22,2009, 7:14pm
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comes to her favorite season--cool weather and beautiful colors.

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This is the time we take aside to remember those who have served our country, and those who continue to do so.

I'd like to invite anyone to post a specific person or persons that you know who's served--whether soldier or sailor, EMT or firefighter, or any of the services--and what you want to say about or to them.

For me, it's my Dad. A naturalized US citizen, he joined the US Army before he was even a citizen. He served in the Pacific in WWII, and I've read the citations of what he did under heavy fire in Okinawa.
He was in Korea, times of which he spoke little, except for his respect and sadness for the people of that country and what they went through.
He was sent to Viet Nam, and was there through the Tet Offensive. I was finally old enough to understand what he was risking--having friends whose fathers didn't come home, and later, a personal friend whose name is on the Wall.

I love my father, and have the deepest pride in him and what he represented. He is buried at Arlington, my mother with him. She served, too, in all the long years of separation and worry; raising us, keeping "home" together, and helping us understand why he had to go away so much.

God bless all of you who have done this, and who will do it. Those of us at home will never forget you.
Last edited by simplemind; May 22,2009 at 8:30pm. Reason: clarification
 
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neardc is offline neardc Post #2  May 22,2009, 10:14pm
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Toodles, sayonara, and happy trails! Wishing everyone luck and love...

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Good idea, Simplemind. My father is a WWII veteran, too; he served in Europe after being drafted at age 18 and came home with a Purple Heart. Although he almost never talks about the War, memories of it never seem to be too far below the surface.

I have many friends at this point who have served or are currently serving in OIF and OEF, and I remember them all. I think, though, that I'll just remember the two here who gave their "last full measure"...

Sgt. Willsun M. Mock, 23, of Harper, Kan., died Oct. 22, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Mock was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. Will was a terrific young man and soldier. There is a story about him here. The video mentioned in the article, which I highly recommend watching, can be found on YouTube here. (I sent care packages to Will and his unit.)

Maj. Scott A. Hagerty, 41, of Stillwater, Okla., who was assigned to the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, Pasadena, Texas. Hagerty was killed in an IED attack on June 3, 2008, in Zormat, Afghanistan. Scott was working with local leaders to improve living conditions in the region where he was killed. He left behind a wife and two sons, one 10 and the other 20 months. (Scott is another soldier to whom I sent care packages; and, I'm friends with his wife).

I thank them, their families, and all of their battle buddies for their service...
 
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simplemind is offline simplemind Post #3  May 23,2009, 12:29am
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comes to her favorite season--cool weather and beautiful colors.

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Thank you, neardc. I will remember them with you.
 
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angelofmerci is offline angelofmerci Post #4  May 23,2009, 7:26am
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To my close friend who died at Subic Bay Naval hospital after taking a direct hit by a mortar in the stomach. After seeing you from the porthole with all those bandages and tubes I sadly forgot your name and what you looked like. I have tried over the years to find out who you were any way I could. All I do remember is that we were very close at one time. I often blamed myself for not being in the field to watch over you. I have been to the wall and the moving wall 3-4 times looking at the names the year you died but nothing seems to bring back my memory of you. God Bless.
 
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neardc is offline neardc Post #5  May 23,2009, 10:01pm
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Thanks for sharing that, angelofmerci. I do think that the important thing is that you remember him, whether or not you remember his name.

With more and more information accessible these days, you may yet find that missing piece that brings his name and story back to you.
 
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neardc is offline neardc Post #6  May 24,2009, 10:00am
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Toodles, sayonara, and happy trails! Wishing everyone luck and love...

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Any other stories or "thanks" out there?
 
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k9force is offline k9force Post #7  May 24,2009, 11:18am
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Yes. Both of my parents served during World War II. I'm not too clear on my dad's service since he never talked alot about it but I know he was stationed in Germany. My mom joined the Army Nurse Corps and was stationed in England. I believe it was maybe an evacuation hospital where the soldiers came before they were sent home or went back to fight. She really had some stories to tell! I believe they had buzz bombs (?) and they had to keep the windows covered at night so the light wouldn't attract enemy planes overhead. One time she and a friend were at a hotel on leave and they heard the bombs. They freaked and forgot what they were supposed to do, so they dove under the bed! Mom was one of the few who didn't get seasick on the ship. I think she even got a prize for it! She met a lot of great enlisted guys who liked to tease her -- and vice versa I'm sure. A perk of being in Europe was a chance to see alot of the countryside. Often she would either walk or ride her bike around the area. One time she went so far and her legs hurt so bad, she didn't know if she could make it back!

My mom was very proud of the service to her country. She was very patriotic, hanging her flag for every American holiday and one of the first to stand at attention at a parade when the soldiers marched by.

When my dad passed away, out of respect to my mom, he requested no gun salute. Mom always hated that when she was in the military. Also, at her service we requested no guns. I was very honored to accept the flags in my parents' memory.

Thank you, simplemind, for reminding us of what Memorial Day is all about. We tend to take our soldiers for granted and go about our daily business and forget about them. I salute those who are serving or who have served and kept this great country what it is so that we CAN go about our daily business.
 
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neardc is offline neardc Post #8  May 24,2009, 5:39pm
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Great stories about your parents, k9force! Your mom sounds like she was a real force of nature.
 
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simplemind is offline simplemind Post #9  May 25,2009, 9:39am
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comes to her favorite season--cool weather and beautiful colors.

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I've been on call this weekend, and unable to check in...and return to find these simple statements that tell so very much.

It's not an overstatement or dramatization to tell you my heart is full--for you who are here to speak of those you've known (whether in name or not), and for those who served and did not come home.

A friend of mine from high school was in the Pentagon on September 11. His wife and kids were at Arlington this morning, away from the pomp and circumstance.

My colleague's son is somewhere in Afghanistan today, out of communication.

A new acquaintance's son has been to Iraq and back, and is readying himself for a tour in Afghanistan.

Another friend's son was at breakfast with us this morning, having been discharged from the hospital--service in Baghdad.

One of my lifetime friends was a MediVac nurse in Viet Nam, and continued to serve for twenty years as such--bringing home men and women from Somalia, Iraq, and deployments less famous but still just as hazardous.

K9force, your mother did what few women have done, in circumstances I can't even imagine. And yet, still was a young woman with energy and a desire to explore! I find myself smiling at the thought of who she might have been in all her days on earth. You lucked out, getting her for a mom.

Angel, there aren't any words, are there? My personal belief is that there will come a time when you and your friend meet, and you will not have any trouble knowing his name.

I can't hear "Taps" without tears anymore, but some are tears of gratitude for the lessons taught by people more courageous than I am. Some don't come home, and those who do are forever changed. And that they go on, and enrich our lives by the lessons of what they do (especially thinking of your father, neardc)--is yet another gift they bring us.

Thank you, each of you, for bringing them to the forefront of our thoughts--where we can think of them as you know or knew them, not just as notes in a paper.

Gratefully,
simplemind
 
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neardc is offline neardc Post #10  May 25,2009, 1:37pm
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In part because we now have an all-volunteer military, and the burden of defense is being shared by a relatively small sector of the population, many people today (not those who have posted here, of course) do not know anyone in the military. It's just very easy not to have any connection to anyone currently in the service.

That was the case for me, too, but it just seemed....wrong. If our country is at war, then we should all have some connection to that; each and every one of us should understand what the costs are whether we support the action or not. We should not be isolated from the impacts of war.

Anyway, there are lots of ways out there to make direct connection to troops and support those who are putting their lives on the line. I've worked mostly through Books for Soldiers, but a couple of other good ones are AnySoldier and Soldiers Angels. Even as our involvement in Iraq begins to wind down, it is ramping up in Afghanistan, and it's still going to be quite awhile even under the best of circumstances before our service men and women are all home from that part of the world. Until they are, sending a letter or a care package can make the world of difference to a soldier or marine or sailor or airman who is a very long way from home.

Something to think about this Memorial Day!
 
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