Author Topic: For 31 men  (Read 284 times)

Offline StarOfAfrica2

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 5162
      • http://www.vf-17.org
For 31 men
« on: January 31, 2005, 06:42:08 PM »
One of my guards is full time military but is having transportation problems on the weekends right now.  I let him borrow my bike for getting around.  Yesterday he dropped it off after getting his car back and asked if I'd like to go with him and some others to the memorial for the Marines who were recently killed in the helicopter crash (26 of them were Marines from the base in Kaneohe, and 1 was a Navy medic from Pearl).  They opened the base up this weekend so the public could pay their respects.  It was very moving.

I hope no one will be offended by my paraphrasing of the Adm. Nimitz quote engraved on the Pacific War Memorial there as I apply it to all the soldiers serving us overseas right now.

"Among the Americans who have served, uncommon valor is a common virtue.  By their service, they have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully."

(Original quote was to the men of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Marine Corps divisions who fought on Iwo Jima, as well as the men of the V Amphibious Corps)

to all those who died.  You will be missed.

Offline JB73

  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 8780
For 31 men
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2005, 09:47:39 PM »
to all fallen members of military actions defending our country, and working towards the beterment of society as a whole.

i personally have come to a point in my life where i understand the sacrifices they have made, in ALL actions, and pray they will never be forgotten OR disrespected in any way.
I don't know what to put here yet.

Offline Rasker

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1265
For 31 men
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2005, 03:30:35 AM »
When you think about it, the living memorials to our Americans and our allies fallen in other wars include an unconquered Britain, a liberated France (twice) Norway, Denmark, Belgium (twice), Netherlands, and all other nations freed from Hitler, a democratic Germany,  Austria, Japan and Italy, a free South Korea, Phillipines, Thailand, Taiwan and other nations freed from Japan, liberated Kuwait and now Iraq.  

Those who died during the Cold War in Vietnam, Korea and operational mishaps may said to be memorialized by all the living people who might have died in a Third World War, all those many people and nations who never had  to live under Communism, and all those many people and nations now free of the  Evil Empire and free to chart their own courses.    

I can't conceive of any sort of physical memorial that can truly  do justice to the fruits of these sacrifices,   perhaps an arrangement with flags and outline maps of the rescued nations would have to suffice. (Or a world map indicating actual territory freed, and when.)

Perhaps a virtual memorial on this line might be something for the web-publisher-handy among you to think about.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2005, 08:06:17 AM by Rasker »

Offline mauser

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 541
For 31 men
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2005, 11:30:00 AM »
Missed this post yesterday...  

I echo the sentiments expressed here.  I appreciate the sacrifices made by our volunteer military.   Can't forget that these fine folks chose to be where they are.    I think it is unfortunate there are still some out there both young and old who would spit on a serviceman or woman if given the opportunity.   If my future children chose this route for themselves, I would not be disappointed in them.  

mauser