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GlassMan
Pisces
HDF Silver Supporter
Redondo Crew
  
Redondo Beach, California, USA
Posts: 5,761
APPD 0.77
Post Rank: 13
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Posted: May 20 2009,7:38 am |
Post # 1 |
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Growing up it was all about picnics and fireworks...as a kid I never did truly grasp the meaning of Memorial Day. Sure, my dad flew the flag - he was a veteran of World War II. He didn't talk about that much though.
When my brother went off to Vietnam I started to get a better understanding of what it meant to sacrifice your life for your country. Fortunately for me and my family, my brother came home. Wounded, but he came home.
Now, as a dad - my youngest has shown a passing interest in the armed forces - I can only commiserate with those families who have experienced the loss of a son or daughter, sister or brother.
This Memorial Day we have more fallen soldiers than ever to remember, to honor.
How?
by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
by visiting memorials.
by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.
Do one of the above....or all. Take a few moments this Memorial Day to reflect on the meaning of the day, to observe the day and be mindful of the sacrifices of others before we go and enjoy the freedoms they bought for us.
It's a fact of Life:
After Monday and Tuesday, even the Calendar says : WTF .......
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DirtySquirty
Sagittarius
HDF Supporter
Boy named Sue
 
Ventura, CA
Posts: 12,202
APPD 1.94
Post Rank: 6
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Posted: May 20 2009,9:13 am |
Post # 4 |
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| Quote (GlassMan @ May 20 2009,7:38 am) | Growing up it was all about picnics and fireworks...as a kid I never did truly grasp the meaning of Memorial Day. Sure, my dad flew the flag - he was a veteran of World War II. He didn't talk about that much though.
When my brother went off to Vietnam I started to get a better understanding of what it meant to sacrifice your life for your country. Fortunately for me and my family, my brother came home. Wounded, but he came home.
Now, as a dad - my youngest has shown a passing interest in the armed forces - I can only commiserate with those families who have experienced the loss of a son or daughter, sister or brother.
This Memorial Day we have more fallen soldiers than ever to remember, to honor.
How?
by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
by visiting memorials.
by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.
Do one of the above....or all. Take a few moments this Memorial Day to reflect on the meaning of the day, to observe the day and be mindful of the sacrifices of others before we go and enjoy the freedoms they bought for us.
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Thanks G-man. 
Having our Son currently serving in the United States Coast Guard has been a real eye opener for the Wife and I. We are very proud of not only him, but of all of our young men and women who selflessly serve this great country of ours.
"It seemed like a hell of an idea at the time".
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GoFastRacer
HDF Supporter
V-Driver For Life!
Big River, Ca
Posts: 62,729
APPD 7.90
Post Rank: 1
Spectra20
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Posted: May 21 2009,5:26 am |
Post # 8 |
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| Quote (AZKC @ May 20 2009,2:29 pm) | | Normally we'll fly a flag and give thanks to all that have served  |
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CaliKat
Gemini
Kool Kat
Cali Delta
Posts: 1,958
APPD 0.32
Post Rank: 33
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Posted: May 25 2009,8:51 am |
Post # 13 |
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I was born on the 21st anniversary of D Day. Â From the earliest I can remember, my Dad instilled in me the importance of honoring the thousands of men who gave their lives that day, all in the name of freedom. Â I was the kid in the sandbox in preschool and kindergarten talking about D Day when most of the other kids were still trying to figure out what the letter D was. Â One of the first albums my parents bought me for my little puke gold plastic record player (gotta love the late 60s! ) was all the military anthems and patriotic songs and I sang them loudly and proudly, at the top of my lungs.  Â I never understood why my friends didn't know those songs.  Â I was the one who cried when I saw the flag and sang our national anthem. Â I love talking to vets, especially those old timers from WWII. Â It means a lot to them and it's fascinating for me. Â I treasure my autographed copy of a book written by a B-17 pilot who I met one Memorial Day. Â We shot the breeze for awhile since most others seemed interested in the plane rather than his stories. Â I try to take every opportunity to thank a vet and active duty personnel. Â They've got my back...a thank you seems so small in comparison, but I know it means a lot. Â I cry buckets when our local military men and women come home for the very last time, having made the ultimate sacrifice. Â I made sure my students knew proper flag etiquette, and had them teach their families as well. Â When people ask when my birthday is, I always say "June 6th--D Day". Â I'm floored by how many folks don't know what that is...but they do by the time I'm done talking to them. Â I've taken a lot of flak over the years for my patriotism, sadly it took 9/11 for most of my friends to realize what I already knew. Â Better late than never, I guess.
So on this Memorial Day, as with all others, I mourn and honor the vets who are gone from our sides, but not our hearts, and I honor and celebrate those who came home and those who still serve. Â And I do my best to do that every day...just like my Dad taught me. Â If folks call me a geek or dork, so be it...just as long as they acknowledge the FREEDOM that allows them to do so.  Â I was born on D Day. Â I consider that an honor. Â
"This is for all the friends I've known, this is for all the ones who've never left me alone. This is for all the ones I've lost along the way...thanks for being a part of today."
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| Member # 3232 | Joined: 1-01-2008 | |
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WATERDOG
Gemini
HDF Silver Supporter
Don't Bother Me, I'm in Havi
MENIFEE, CA
Posts: 10,292
APPD 1.60
Post Rank: 8
ELIMINATOR EAGLE
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Posted: May 25 2009,9:51 am |
Post # 15 |
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| Quote (CaliKat @ May 25 2009,8:53 am) | | Quote (GlassMan @ May 20 2009,8:29 am) | | Quote (WATERDOG @ May 20 2009,7:50 am) | | This Memorial Day will be special for us this year. My step-son is coming home a few months early from Iraq. At least most of him is going home, guess he got caught up with a bombing and left a few pieces there. I guess right now he's at Ramstein awaiting transport to Florida they think for reconstuctive surgury and rehab. Â |
God Bless him.
You tell him thanks Ken, and let me know if he'll be coming out to Havasu. I'd like to shake his hand. |
Ditto that....and you tell him Kat sends him a big hug. Â I'm a great hugger. Â  |
Thank you Cali, you to Jim,
"Damn you sure know how to fock things up."-GFR
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| Member # 2868 | Joined: 4-23-2007 | |
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Carrera Elite
Libra
HDF Supporter
Glendale,AZ
Posts: 44,127
APPD 5.50
Post Rank: 2
1990 Carrera 23.5 Classic
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Posted: May 25 2009,10:30 am |
Post # 16 |
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| Quote (CaliKat @ May 25 2009,8:51 am) | I was born on the 21st anniversary of D Day. Â From the earliest I can remember, my Dad instilled in me the importance of honoring the thousands of men who gave their lives that day, all in the name of freedom. Â I was the kid in the sandbox in preschool and kindergarten talking about D Day when most of the other kids were still trying to figure out what the letter D was. Â One of the first albums my parents bought me for my little puke gold plastic record player (gotta love the late 60s! ) was all the military anthems and patriotic songs and I sang them loudly and proudly, at the top of my lungs. Â I never understood why my friends didn't know those songs. Â I was the one who cried when I saw the flag and sang our national anthem. Â I love talking to vets, especially those old timers from WWII. Â It means a lot to them and it's fascinating for me. Â I treasure my autographed copy of a book written by a B-17 pilot who I met one Memorial Day. Â We shot the breeze for awhile since most others seemed interested in the plane rather than his stories. Â I try to take every opportunity to thank a vet and active duty personnel. Â They've got my back...a thank you seems so small in comparison, but I know it means a lot. Â I cry buckets when our local military men and women come home for the very last time, having made the ultimate sacrifice. Â I made sure my students knew proper flag etiquette, and had them teach their families as well. Â When people ask when my birthday is, I always say "June 6th--D Day". Â I'm floored by how many folks don't know what that is...but they do by the time I'm done talking to them. Â I've taken a lot of flak over the years for my patriotism, sadly it took 9/11 for most of my friends to realize what I already knew. Â Better late than never, I guess.
So on this Memorial Day, as with all others, I mourn and honor the vets who are gone from our sides, but not our hearts, and I honor and celebrate those who came home and those who still serve. Â And I do my best to do that every day...just like my Dad taught me. Â If folks call me a geek or dork, so be it...just as long as they acknowledge the FREEDOM that allows them to do so. Â I was born on D Day. Â I consider that an honor. Â
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That's Pretty Cool!! My Parents Neighbor Is A Retired Lt.Col. In The Air Force. It's Pretty Interesting To Hear Him Tell Stories.
Thank You To All Of The Vets That Have Served!! 
Sarcasim, Just one more thing that I offer for free!! I've Reached The Age Where Happy Hour Is A Nap!! WWW.StormPokerRuns.Com  |
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