Lest We Forget

[Thudz]

This weekend we all, as Americans, take time to remember those Americans before us that gave their lives for this country and we honor them for their sacrifice. Have a safe weekend.

[Moristans]

Calling Dad as soon as I get home and I'll visit my Bro in Vegas.

Semper Fi

[Hoofhurr]

I'd never forget. /salute

[Vanraw]

I think every American should be required to go to Arlington.

Seeing it it person is the only way to really absorb the cost of freedom.

[Diggles]

I think every American should be required to go to Arlington.

Seeing it it person is the only way to really absorb the cost of freedom.

Many U.S. 'wars' (korea, vietnam, persian gulf, iraq) had nothing to do with OUR freedom. While I highly respect and appreciate those who and have served, I dont understand how anyone with half a brain would enlist at this point, fighting political unconstitutional undeclared wars.

[Slamz]

Well, this should probably go into Political Discussion if we're going to get any deeper, but the short version is that those wars were fought over the spread of Communism or a perceived threat to the American way of life (as a serious disruption to the oil supply could cause).

Freedom is only as good as your ability to hold onto it against external threats. Would communism had become a serious threat had we simply let it spread without a fight? Would the middle east be knee deep in a real multi-nation war had we left Saddam in power? We'll never know. Or never have to find out.

[Hoofhurr]

No need to turn a thread of respecting our military into a debate about the merits of individual wars. Whether a war has merit or not is on the shoulders of our elected politicians not our military.

[Diggles]

No need to turn a thread of respecting our military into a debate about the merits of individual wars. Whether a war has merit or not is on the shoulders of our elected politicians not our military.

Its not a debate, and its not about 'individual wars'. Its about a systemic erosion of our Constitution, carried out the people sworn to protect it (politicians and soldiers alike).

What better time to question and reflect on policy than the day you honor those that have served and those that have been lost?

[Moristans]

Honestly? Any other day of the year except Veteran's and Memorial Day?

Those days are set aside to honor those who serve, have served, and those who died, period. Those are days to set aside political differences and questions about whether any of it was or was not necessary and just honor those who just do and did, perhaps giving every thing they had, because their country asked them to.


We can bitch and moan at each other for 363 other days of the year.

[Vanraw]

My point isnt anything to do with purpose of wars but the sacrifice of Americans for America.

You can not walk around Arlington Cemetery with out being awed by the sacrifice.

[Diggles]

My point isnt anything to do with purpose of wars but the sacrifice of Americans for America.

You can not walk around Arlington Cemetery with out being awed by the sacrifice.

Thats quite a bit better (and different) than the cliche/hypocritical 'freedom is not free'/'died for freedom' sayings

I'll leave it at that. I get to call my Grandpa who managed to get out of his sinking tank and swim to Omaha beach!

[Venganza]

They fight and some died for an ideal of what america can become, not what america is right now. I think that is worth remembering and working towards.

[Zouji]

I would like to personally thank all of the veterans and still active soldiers who visit this forum for there dedication and sacrifice for this country.

I don't know of anyone in my family that is alive that has served in the military. My Uncle or is it Great Uncle was a pilot in WW2, but he died of either cancer or heart disease long after the war. I think he died before I was even born.

I have several RL friends that have served or are stilling serving in the military. I remember a couple of more friends from High School that I doubt I'll ever see again that joined the military. I check the total list of casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq every now and then to make sure they are still alive. Honestly I don't even know if they are still in the military because unless they reenlisted or got stop-lossed they would be out by now. I just hope they are ok and uninjured from their tours of duty.

Also I hope all of the vets that need medical treatment will get the treatment they deserve and not the crappy medical treatment I have heard about from the past.

That's all I've got to say. Thanks for your service and stay safe.

[Skaag]

/salute to all those who are currently serving, have served, or given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

[Staracker]

memorial day is a special day to give thanks to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of their country. it matters not what the war was about but that they answered the call of duty and died in the line of duty. The soldiers job is not to ask questions about "why are we fighting" but to do what they are commanded to do by their superiors. If the general citizen has a problem with the premise of any "war" they need to take it up with their congressman, not the soldier out in the field spilling his guts for his country. Memorial day is not the perfect time to debate political views about wars past/present/future. just as it wasnt the time or place for the anti war people to demonstrate at several deceased soldiers services when they died in iraq. You have a constitutional right to protest, but not a constitutional right to be a moron, think before you speak, some have lost much in the name of warfare.

[Staracker]

memorial day bump. /salute + taps