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Good Memorial Day morning
2009-05-25
Posted by:Steve White

#13  red sea
Posted by: maxx0101   2009-05-25 21:03  

#12  The Pearl Harbor survivor didn't appear in last year's parade or this year's. This year, the former Stalag something-or-other POW wasn't in the parade either. We had three gold star families, one active duty family, five fire trucks, no politicians except for the mayor, three school bands, all the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and the VFW/Legion color guards. A short parade, all entrants fitting and proper.
Posted by: mom   2009-05-25 19:31  

#11  Hope you all had a good Memorial Day. To remembrances of deployments, friends and days past. But especially heartfelt thanks to family members, friends and all Americans who currently serve and sacrifice for our great nation.

Off to finish this day in style.
Posted by: ed   2009-05-25 18:26  

#10  Gorb, that was nice... Thanks for posting it.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2009-05-25 17:38  

#9  I talked with some war vets who thought it was a smashing good idea to call it a "Memorial Day Global Warming Bar-B-Que", in that a lot of veterans think the day is equally patriotic for honoring the noble dead and telling Washington, D.C. to ____ off.
Posted by: Anonymoose   2009-05-25 10:23  

#8  Thank you all for your service and sacrifice.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2009-05-25 08:48  

#7  Amen gorb, and God bless those who serve today, and care for the souls of those who gave all.
Posted by: Ptah   2009-05-25 06:41  

#6  A poem by A. Lawrence Vaincourt

Just a Common Soldier
(A Soldier Died Today)

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past,
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And thoÂ’ sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But weÂ’ll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the worldÂ’s a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life,
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way
And the world wonÂ’t note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
Some guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politicianÂ’s stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives,
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and, perhaps, a pension small.

ItÂ’s so easy to forget them for it was so long ago
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again,
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldierÂ’s part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while heÂ’s here to hear the praise,
Then at least letÂ’s give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in the paper that would say,
“Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.”
Posted by: gorb   2009-05-25 06:20  

#5  

Hit The Dusty Trail

The Wild Blue Yonder

Anchors Aweigh

From the Halls of Montezuma

We're "Always Ready," do or die!


Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC   2009-05-25 04:49  

#4  Happy Birthday: May 25th.

Bill “Bojangles” Robinson - died 1949 (71)

Igor Sikorsky - died 1972 (83)

Binnie Barnes - died 1998 (95) "Gittel Enoyce Barnes - The Private Life of Henry VIII"

Claude Akins - died 1994 (67)

Kitty Kallen - 87 "Big Band Singer"

Jeanne Crain - died 2003 (78) "Fred's Bathtub Collection"

Dixie Carter - 70 "Designing Women" (Now)

Mike Myers - 46 "Austin Powers, Dr Evil" (Now)

On this day in history: May 25th.
1787 – In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, delegates convene a Constitutional Convention to write a new Constitution for the United States. George Washington presides.
1895 – Playwright, poet, and novelist Oscar Wilde is convicted of "committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons" and sentenced to serve two years in prison.
1925 – Scopes Trial: John T. Scopes is indicted for teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
1935 – Jesse Owens of Ohio State University breaks five world records and ties a sixth at the Big Ten Conference Track and Field Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
1940 – The Battle of Dunkirk begins.
1977 – Star Wars is released. It rapidly becomes a cult classic and is the start of a six-movie franchise.
Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC   2009-05-25 04:06  

#3  I thought the color pic was appropriate for today. Don't expect color often, though, unless Fred wills it.

Particularly with the news coming out this morning, more than ever we owe thanks to the men and women who protect us. I only hope we're good enough for them.
Posted by: Steve White   2009-05-25 01:48  

#2  Color in the Defender Scimitar!

And a kimmy sized nuke.

What a Memorial Day start.
Posted by: 3dc   2009-05-25 01:20  

#1  I expect Teh One will have a lotta push back. His thin skin? Might make for serious Shadenfreude, along with sorrow
Posted by: Frank G   2009-05-25 00:46  

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