Ladies and gentlemen, Memorial Day......

[azimuth]

...is upon us; and so a moment of gratitude from my family to those who've laid down their lives in the defense of the freedom of man around the globe throughout the ages.

Perhaps the most frustrating part of this period, is my apparent inability to appropriately express equitable gratitude to the souls who have made possible my state of being and that of my family. Therefore, I've concluded that since our dear lost soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors have paid it forward, I shall do as was suggested in a work of cinematic art, Saving Private Ryan, I shall earn it. I Promise to teach my children and their children to earn it so that the preciousness of the gift of freedom may never be lost in this country and the price paid will never have been in vain.

To the husbands, wives, children, brothers, sisters, fathers and mostly to the mothers of our lost heroes: Solemnly I say, on behalf of myself and my family, we are everlastingly grateful for your sacrifice. May God grant you peace.


Kevin.

Originally Posted by azimuth

Perhaps the most frustrating part of this period, is my apparent inability to appropriately express equitable gratitude to the souls who have made possible my state of being and that of my family. Therefore, I've concluded that since our dear lost soldiers, airmen, marines and sailors have paid it forward, I shall do as was suggested in a work of cinematic art, Saving Private Ryan, I shall earn it. I Promise to teach my children and their children to earn it so that the preciousness of the gift of freedom may never be lost in this country and the price paid will never have been in vain.

Black Hawk Down would be worth watching as well.

[Plantman]

A heartfelt thanks to those who have served and to those who have lost friends and/or family in the service.


EP

[azimuth]

In my decayed cognitive capacity, I neglected to include the heroes upon whom we depend for our civil safety. These men and women have sacrificed every bit as much to rescue the innocent, the desperate and the helpless among us in the most out of control environments. When we are rushing out and away from danger, they are rushing in. I am alarmed and disappointed that I neglected to include these brave souls in my original post. Perhaps it serves them well that they have their own dedicated mention here.

To their families and to their mothers: We, society at large, owe you an unquenchable debt. I cannot credibly speak for all, but I think it's safe to say we are legion and we are grateful.

[kip Foss]

Can someone please explain to me just how men and women dieing in Viet Nam or Samalia or Nicaragua or Lebanon, or Iraq, etc., etc. made or kept me free? Please tell me who won in the above wars? How are we better off? How are the disabled vet who can't get enough help from the government and are relagated to living on the street better off than before their respective wars?

I am not disrespecting the vets. They were all heroic in their own way, but them getting shot full of holes and suffering irrepairable trauma did not alter my life one iota. I lived in America during the Viet Nam war, I was in the Navy jet pilot program and was, in fact, a civilian in Viet Nam in the American embasy when it fell. Never, at any time that I remember, was America ever assaulted, or even threatened, by Viet Namese in sampans rowing towards the US West Coast.

Tell me how having out young men and women in Iraq has done anything to take Bil Laden out of circulation. Not one of the 9/11 terrorists came from Iraq. There were no terrorists in Iraq priror to 9/11. They all came from our friend and long time aly Saudi Arabia. Now that the US has made a stand in Iraq the place is hip deep in terrorists and getting deeper. There is no more hope of making Iraq a democracy and getting out in the next 10 years with what little face we have left than there was in Viet Nam. That place will suck up our youth and our money and give us back exactly what we got from Viet Nam.

The only people who ever won a war are the politicians and businessmen.

[Botnst]

Originally Posted by kip Foss

Can someone please explain to me just how men and women dieing in Viet Nam or Samalia or Nicaragua or Lebanon, or Iraq, etc., etc. made or kept me free? Please tell me who won in the above wars? How are we better off? How are the disabled vet who can't get enough help from the government and are relagated to living on the street better off than before their respective wars?

I am not disrespecting the vets. They were all heroic in their own way, but them getting shot full of holes and suffering irrepairable trauma did not alter my life one iota. I lived in America during the Viet Nam war, I was in the Navy jet pilot program and was, in fact, a civilian in Viet Nam in the American embasy when it fell. Never, at any time that I remember, was America ever assaulted, or even threatened, by Viet Namese in sampans rowing towards the US West Coast.

Tell me how having out young men and women in Iraq has done anything to take Bil Laden out of circulation. Not one of the 9/11 terrorists came from Iraq. There were no terrorists in Iraq priror to 9/11. They all came from our friend and long time aly Saudi Arabia. Now that the US has made a stand in Iraq the place is hip deep in terrorists and getting deeper. There is no more hope of making Iraq a democracy and getting out in the next 10 years with what little face we have left than there was in Viet Nam. That place will suck up our youth and our money and give us back exactly what we got from Viet Nam.

The only people who ever won a war are the politicians and businessmen.

Whether their involvement and sacrifice did or did not materially help or hurt you is a subject for endless debate.

That they did their duty when called upon, sometimes to the irreparable loss of tissue and even their lives, and sometimes despite defective causes or defective orders, is why they should be honored. These men (mostly) and women (some) answered their country's call because they believe in what they do and believe somewhere down the line, what they have done has added value to the lives of their families and country.

The tip of the spear doesn't choose where it goes. It is in the hands of the electorate. It goes where it is aimed and does the job for which it was intended. If the arm is strong and the eye is keen, the spear will be true and do its deadly job. It is dangerous, even to the electorate that gives it direction. kept sharp and hard and in the firm grip of the electorate, it will always do its job.

[azimuth]

Originally Posted by kip Foss

Can someone please explain to me just how men and women dieing in Viet Nam or Samalia or Nicaragua or Lebanon, or Iraq, etc., etc. made or kept me free? Please tell me who won in the above wars? How are we better off? How are the disabled vet who can't get enough help from the government and are relagated to living on the street better off than before their respective wars?

I am not disrespecting the vets. They were all heroic in their own way, but them getting shot full of holes and suffering irrepairable trauma did not alter my life one iota. I lived in America during the Viet Nam war, I was in the Navy jet pilot program and was, in fact, a civilian in Viet Nam in the American embasy when it fell. Never, at any time that I remember, was America ever assaulted, or even threatened, by Viet Namese in sampans rowing towards the US West Coast.

Tell me how having out young men and women in Iraq has done anything to take Bil Laden out of circulation. Not one of the 9/11 terrorists came from Iraq. There were no terrorists in Iraq priror to 9/11. They all came from our friend and long time aly Saudi Arabia. Now that the US has made a stand in Iraq the place is hip deep in terrorists and getting deeper. There is no more hope of making Iraq a democracy and getting out in the next 10 years with what little face we have left than there was in Viet Nam. That place will suck up our youth and our money and give us back exactly what we got from Viet Nam.

The only people who ever won a war are the politicians and businessmen.

Yeah, you're right. Forget what I said previously. You win, you're the best.

Originally Posted by kip Foss

Can someone please explain to me just how men and women dieing in Viet Nam or Samalia or Nicaragua or Lebanon, or Iraq, etc., etc. made or kept me free? Please tell me who won in the above wars? How are we better off? How are the disabled vet who can't get enough help from the government and are relagated to living on the street better off than before their respective wars?

I am not disrespecting the vets. They were all heroic in their own way, but them getting shot full of holes and suffering irrepairable trauma did not alter my life one iota. I lived in America during the Viet Nam war, I was in the Navy jet pilot program and was, in fact, a civilian in Viet Nam in the American embasy when it fell. Never, at any time that I remember, was America ever assaulted, or even threatened, by Viet Namese in sampans rowing towards the US West Coast.

Tell me how having out young men and women in Iraq has done anything to take Bil Laden out of circulation. Not one of the 9/11 terrorists came from Iraq. There were no terrorists in Iraq priror to 9/11. They all came from our friend and long time aly Saudi Arabia. Now that the US has made a stand in Iraq the place is hip deep in terrorists and getting deeper. There is no more hope of making Iraq a democracy and getting out in the next 10 years with what little face we have left than there was in Viet Nam. That place will suck up our youth and our money and give us back exactly what we got from Viet Nam.

The only people who ever won a war are the politicians and businessmen.

In a thread to honor people that have served their country, this is what you come up with. I do appreciate you doing so because it paints a better illustration of exactly what goes on inside you and your gangs head.

[Maroon 300D]

Originally Posted by MedMech

In a thread to honor people that have served their country, this is what you come up with. I do appreciate you doing so because it paints a better illustration of exactly what goes on inside you and your gangs head.

You can question the placement but they are thoughts worth thinking, IMO. I would second Bot's thoughts on the matter, though. Well said! Sometimes the people doing the actual dirty work have the cleanest hands, it would seem.