Happy Memorial Day

[FinsnFur]

All gave some, some gave all.
God Bless all our service men and women

[nastygunz]

"The Green Fields Of France"
(originally by Eric Bogle)

Oh how do you do, young Willy McBride
Do you mind if I sit here down by your graveside
And rest for a while in the warm summer sun
I've been walking all day, and I'm nearly done
And I see by your gravestone you were only nineteen
When you joined the great fallen in 1916
Well I hope you died quick
And I hope you died clean
Or Willy McBride, was is it slow and obscene

Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest

And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind
In some loyal heart is your memory enshrined
And though you died back in 1916
To that loyal heart you're forever nineteen
Or are you a stranger without even a name
Forever enshrined behind some old glass pane
In an old photograph torn, tattered, and stained
And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame

Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest

The sun shining down on these green fields of France
The warm wind blows gently and the red poppies dance
The trenches have vanished long under the plow
No gas, no barbed wire, no guns firing now
But here in this graveyard that's still no mans land
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand
To man's blind indifference to his fellow man
And a whole generation were butchered and damned

Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest

And I can't help but wonder oh Willy McBride
Do all those who lie here know why they died
Did you really believe them when they told you the cause
Did you really believe that this war would end wars
Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame
The killing and dying it was all done in vain
Oh Willy McBride it all happened again
And again, and again, and again, and again

Did they beat the drums slowly
Did they play the fife lowly
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down
Did the band play the last post and chorus
Did the pipes play the flowers of the forest

[snafu]

Herbert Smith, Army grunt WWII. KIA by a German sniper.

Bullet hit his breast pocket watch. Then careened off into his heart. His watch stopped the moment of impact.
I seen his watch when I was a kid.

[gravesco hunter]

Here is a number 1,319,943,if you don't know what it is you know that it is a very large number,when you know what it is ,the number becomes very humbling ,it is the total number of USA war dead for all wars and conflicts,freedom is not free, THANK YOU from a grateful american

[HaMeR]

 â€œ In this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer...

Almighty God... Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor... To set free a suffering humanity.

Lead them straight and true... give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness to their faith.

They will need Thy blessings... They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest... until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violence of war.

For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and for tolerance and good will among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

And for us at home... fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters and brothers of brave men overseas... whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them... help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice...

Thy will be done, Almighty God...

Amen ”


― Synopsis of Prayer on D-Day
Franklin D. Roosevelt
June 6th, 1944

[Hawks Feather]

I never served, but sure do appreciate all that have.

Jerry

[JohnP]

I never served, but sure do appreciate all that have.

Jerry

Jerry, if I remember correctly (anymore I'm not sure) you "served" our kids in the educational field.  A service that has far reaching and life long rewards, as does military service.  I like this saying:  "If you can read this thank a soldier AND a teacher."  Sir you have served.

[bambam]

God bless all of our Veterans and those who still serve.