Memorial Day

[kohlerdrums]

Rangers:

Thank you for posting these entries.

With great respect,

[rgrokelley]

Bump

[panthersix]

For me, it's harder to "Enjoy This" than it is to "Earn This" when I think of my KIT/KIA brothers. RIP, lest we forget. Thanks for the tribute.

[Buzz]

A heartfelt tribute, well done!

Rest in Peace.

[Jim]

Last night the Beltway Rangers hosted a BBQ for the Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed. What an awe -inspiring evening it was. The young WW's brought big quantities of pride in all us FOGs. Living proof that "Earn This" endures.

I'll post photos later.

[fatboy]

I'm not sure I've Earned This, I'm not sure I ever will.
The one thing I do know is that on this weekend, there will be much reflection on my time served, and even more reflection on my Brothers still serving and Brothers that will forever serve.

[Rabbit]

Ranger rgrokelley,

Thank you for that poem.

Thank you to all the members of this website, who are serving or have served.
Thank you To the mothers, wives, sons and daughters who have suffered.

I couldn't tell you how much I see you gentlemen as heros from just reading the things I read on this website. Hopefully a knucklehead like me will live up to the expectations of you all and serve the Army to the best of my abilites.

God Bless you and thanks for your serve,
Alex L.

[rgrokelley]

Right after the War Between the States a holiday was created. The South had been devastated and every family had lost a loved one. That holiday caught on in the north and the brotherhood of war united soldiers more than ideology ever could. The war was the bloodiest one that was ever fought by America. Some thought that we would never have the stomach to fight another war. However there were more conflicts in our future. Plato once wrote that only the dead have seen the end of war.

War will always be here. Some are fought for huge ideals and great causes. Some are fought to increase the wealth or power of a nation. Some never do have a clear reason as to why they occurred. Decades after these wars end the historians are still scratching their heads. However, in all of these wars there is the warrior. The soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. The warrior doesn’t fight for economics, power, increased trade, or even to stop another nation’s ideology. The soldier fights because he must do so to survive. He fights because to not do so would shame him by his comrades, the men he has come to love.

He fights to save them.

A writer once wrote that war is to men, what childbirth is to women. For those who have not gone through either there is something missing in their lives. For those who have experienced it, life is never the same, and you really can’t describe it to anyone who was never there.
All war stories are a lie. You can’t really tell the truth. It would be too boring. Too horrendous. Too stupid. Too confusing. You may think you’re telling the truth, but the edges get fuzzy over the years. The facts changed slightly so as to leave out parts the listener would never accept.

Memorial Day is the day to honor the men who died in the military service for this country. An English officer once stated that he always considered the forward edge of the battle area as the most exclusive club in the world. Money and family ties will not get you here. Only the courage to step forward and to stand fast will let you remain in this club.

Some of those who have never heard that earth-shattering SNAP of the bullet passing by your head will try to tell you that this day is to honor anyone you know who has died. Everyone from the doctor down the street who takes care of your Aunt Edna, to the Hollywood star who ended his short but glorious career. However this is not true.

Memorial Day honors those men who have stood in the line, run between the raindrops, and have found that you can take cover behind a tomato can if there’s nothing else. Those who were soldiers once, don’t normally treat this day differently. They go to work, they have their cookouts, they watch John Wayne on TNT, and they spend time with their families. They may put a flag out.

However for those who have been there every day is Memorial Day. It’s always there, under the surface. Life goes on and it sinks deeper down. You play with your children, you stay busy at work, you type on the computer and it never seems to come up. Then something will bring it back with the speed of a bullet. For some it may be a movie or a show on TV, for some it may be seeing a buddy who you knew when you were Warrior Kings. It may not come back until you hear that door slam, which makes you instinctively move towards cover. It may not come back until you drink that beer, or in an even more ironic twist, it returns because you have sworn off alcohol and remember as you watch those around you drink.

For some it returns with the image of a black wall covered in names.

Today is not for them, but for you who can enjoy this day in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. You can enjoy these inalienable rights because of these few men.

Memorial Day is for you to remember those who have gone before you, even though you don’t know their names.

[garyedolan]

Grip Hands. An evocative, poignant post; thank you for sharing.

[Chiron]

Great bump! Truly humbled!!

To those that have given the ultimate sacrifice, a toast to your memory, ouzo raised high and my most humble thanks.

c

[rgrokelley]

Bump

[Jim]

This Memorial Day Mike Murphy and I went to the wall to observe the 50th year of the Viet-Nam war. We both served with the Biet Dong Quan, (Vietnamese Rangers). Counterparts joined us. by the way, the second dude from the left was a platoon commander in the 42d Vietnamese Ranger Battalion at the same time I was (Feb 69 - Juloy 70).

[Steadfast]

Jim, I can easily pick you out!

Hope you enjoyed your day amongst friends.

[Jim]

Jim, I can easily pick you out!

Hope you enjoyed your day amongst friends.

Thanks, Jake. Had a great time!