posted on May 31, 2004 02:29:37 AM new
I'd like to say Thanks to all American Service men and women, past and present for making this country the great nation it is.
http://home.insightbb.com/~armedforcestribute/
posted on May 31, 2004 03:45:41 AM new
Me too, Colin!! I hope they enjoy their day of rememberance and acknowledgment.
I have an idea colin. Maybe if we substututed the word GAY for VETERAN and the word AIDS for WAR, the piddleing queens on this board could relate.
okay, a gay friend just died of Aids. Lets have a memorial service for him. (Gays do do that, right?)
In comes the two STRAIGHT biddies never dealt with AIDS or the gaylifestyle, and you guess what they want to publicly post outside the memorial? Hey you, why are you having a memorial for THIS GUY -- dont you know there are still people out there with AIDS suffering. DONT YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT!! AND THINKING ABOUT THIS ISSUE - THIS ISNT RIGHT!!
And you know what the friends of the gay guy are going to say: "get the f out of here, you are full of sh**. This is a memorial for our friend we will worry about the others with Aids tomorrow. We loved this guy and will have our memorial.
[ edited by neroter12 on May 31, 2004 04:58 AM ]
posted on May 31, 2004 09:02:12 AM new
Today as we reflect back on our history and the freedoms we enjoy - we remember and give thanks to all the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
God Bless America and those who have defended and are defending our country.
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"...that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God, ...and that government of the people by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth." --Abraham Lincoln
Re-elect President Bush!!
Here is a wonderful site full of US Patriotic Songs - MIDI files
posted on May 31, 2004 09:49:43 AM new
From The President of The United States of America:
President Bush Honors the Brave and Fallen Defenders of Freedom
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
11:33 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much for the warm welcome. Mr. Secretary, thank you for your leadership. Secretary Principi, members of the United States Congress, General Myers, members of the Joint Chiefs, General Jackson and Colonel Ray and Colonel Steedley, veterans, honored guests and my fellow Americans, we come to this Memorial Day with deep awareness of recent loss and recent courage.
Beyond the Tomb of the Unknowns, in Section 60 of Arlington Cemetery, we have laid to rest Americans who fell in the battle of Iraq. One of the funerals was for Marine Second Lieutenant Frederick Pokorney Junior, of Jacksonville, North Carolina. His wife, Carolyn, received a folded flag. His two year old daughter, Taylor, knelt beside her mother at the casket to say a final goodbye.
An uncle later said of this fine lieutenant, "He was proud of what he was doing and proud of his family, a hard working guy -- the best guy you can ever know. I hope the American people don't forget." This nation does not forget.
Last month, in Section 60, First Lieutenant Rob Jenkins was buried, along with five other members of a bomber crew. They were lost when their plane was shot down over North Africa in 1942. Rob Jenkins had joined the Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor, and he was 20 years old on his final mission.
Six decades later, his plane was found and the remains of the crew were carefully identified, returned home and buried with military honors. Rob's sister, Helen, said, "We were very proud that the government would care that much. After all, it was such a long time ago." This nation does not forget. (Applause.)
On Memorial Day, Americans place flags on military graves, walk past a wall of black granite in Washington, D.C., and many families think of a face and voice they miss so much.
Today, we honor the men and women who have worn the nation's uniform and were last seen on duty. From the battles of Iraq and Afghanistan, to the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, to the trials of World War, to the struggles that made us a nation, today we recall that liberty is always the achievement of courage.
And today we remember all who have died, all who are still missing and all who mourn. And on this day, especially, our nation is grateful to the brave and fallen defenders of freedom. In every generation of Americans we have found courage equal to the tasks of our country.
The farms and small towns and city streets of this land have always produced free citizens who assume the discipline and duty of military life. And time after time, they have proven that the moral force of democracy is mightier than the will and cunning of any tyrant.
The widow of one of our Marines in Iraq made this point very simply. "There is good and evil in the world." she said, "That's what's going on. And he was the good." All the good people we honor today were willing to die in the service of our country and our cause. Yet all of them wanted to live. And the images they carried with them at the end were the people they loved and the familiar sights of home.
Not long before his death last month, Army Captain James Adamouski of Springfield, Virginia, wrote this to his wife Meighan. "I do my job 110 percent and don't get distracted or discouraged when I'm out flying on missions. However, when I have some down time and get to really thinking, I realize that for all the good times -- all the good things we're doing here, I just plain miss you."
In his last letter home from the Middle East, Staff Sergeant Lincoln Hollinsaid, of Malden. Illinois, said how much he appreciated getting mail from his family. He added, "I wish my truck and boat knew how to write." (Laughter.) "I sure do miss them." (Laughter.) He went on, "Today would be a beautiful fishing day. I can see it now: drop my electronic anchors, kick my feet up, three poles out with hooks in search for that elusive, yet loveable, catfish."
Americans like these did not fight for glory, but to fulfil a duty. They did not yearn to be heroes, they yearned to see mom and dad again and to hold their sweethearts and to watch their sons and daughters grow. They wanted the daily miracle of freedom in America, yet they gave all that up and gave life itself for the sake of others.
Their sacrifice was great, but not in vain. All Americans and every free nation on earth can trace their liberty to the white markers of places like Arlington National Cemetery. And may God keep us ever grateful. (Applause.)
Almost seven weeks ago, an Army Ranger, Captain Russell Rippetoe was laid to rest in Section 60. Captian Rippetoe's father, Joe, a retired Lieutenant Colonel, gave a farewell salute at the grave of his only son. Russell Rippetoe served with distinction in Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. On the back of his dog tag were engraved these words, from the book of Joshua, "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee."
This faithful Army captain has joined a noble company of service and sacrifice gathered row by row. These men and women were strong and courageous and not dismayed. And we pray they have found their peace in the arms of God.
posted on May 31, 2004 11:05:16 AM new
Are you on something, Nero? What on earth does AIDS and being gay have to do with Memorial Day? If you just want to start a fight, I'll fight with you.
posted on May 31, 2004 04:44:34 PM new
Thanks Colin for posting that. When I was in Washington DC I saw the Vietnam Wall at dusk. I stoped suddenly and all I could say was OH! I was speechless as I was when they showed the WWII Memorial Last night and they said there are 4,000 gold stars and each one represents 100 men. You never think about this until you see it. War is Hell and I sure hope the conflict in Irag is over sooner than later.
God Bless to our Men and Women in Service and also to their families who they left behind so that we can be a free country.
posted on May 31, 2004 05:07:08 PM new
lol kraft!! must be low carb cravings!
I meant to tell you that yesterday, but it got lost in between the postings. I figured you go tell me to eat a hamburger or something anyway! hahaha
It was an analogy or similie or whatever that is (I am sure bunni could post the correct term.) And I thought a pretty good one at that. I dont know, because I have never been around it, but I surmise caring for someone with Aids and going thru that is as much a hell as seeing a war. And the point was people want to honor who they love without it being a political issue all the time. That is reality.
And honestly, I dont think those two blowhards care about anything or anybody IRL. They just blow alot smoke around chat boards for their amusement, tossing around issues they have no connection with or ever given any thought to people with real feelings involved in them. MY opinion.
Anyway, if you wanna fight: "put up yer dukes!" ) I am going back in"....lol(thanks for posting - was nice of you to be cheerie.)
posted on May 31, 2004 06:12:43 PM new
Linda, I particularly love seeing the elderly folks today. They put on their little hats and old uniforms and they stand there and salute - you can see them swell with pride that they have done something significant in their lives!!.....They have such a different mindset when it comes to pride & love of country.
Then I think about the people in the army community I lived with. Most are probably over in Iraq now. The sounds of their voices booming out cadence is forever embedding in my mind as I heard it practically every day while they were running and training going past my house.
I sure hope Bush can stay true to his word and start the process of getting them back home. I haven't kept up with it lately so I don't know if they have really ironed out the details of the June deadline, etc. And I know alot will still be there for awhile; but I think it makes it easier for them to bear if they know some resolution is coming.
Before you think I might be turning pro-republican or Pro-Bush, :-0\.. I don't care about the politics of it, or who accomplishes the task - I just want dont want more tradgedy and loss for people.
posted on May 31, 2004 09:22:13 PM new
LOL Kraft you are dumb, but not that dumb and your coyness doesnt work with me. So, yes, must be 'on' something or PMS'ing to to say, "I dont like this, and I think you are full of it." Long as you agree with them everythings cool. And I know youre soo worried about me.
So you want talk about compassion? Okay. Yes, its very compassionate to post some pictures of boots like you care about dead soliders;
THEN
when the day comes to honor them;
the first thing you want to bring up is how WE (collectively) are not doing enough for the homeless veterans and NOT one mention of the dead or the families left to deal with that permanancy. Lets make this day political!! Wont that be just be yummy!
Theres no compassion there - its just pretending until the next thing to stir it up comes along. You probably need to go sell your loyality to some kids somewhere. I'm a grown woman and I know what baloney is when I see it. I happen to be restricting all pork byproducts and junk from my diet so must be my tolerance toward it is running low. I rather cant even stand the smell of it lately. But if you need a steady stream of it - power to ya! You better keep lots of lip gloss on hand for all that bending and smooching and then get ready when they tire of your sychophanting and squat a poop on you. But yah, you'll probably just remark how compassionate that was, right? hahaha
ed to add; and heres a quick nobrainer on compassion for ya - in order to have 'passion' about something you have to have a personal stake in it. If you think you can detach from the issue and then want to say its something you 'feel' with passion about, then one of those above statements is a lie. Aloofness and compassion do not get along very well.
[ edited by neroter12 on May 31, 2004 10:07 PM ]
posted on June 1, 2004 06:41:03 AM newThey have such a different mindset when it comes to pride & love of country.
neroter - A mind set I share, I'm proud to say. Maybe it's because both my parents served during WW II [my mother as a nurse] that I have a different appreciation to what their generation did to protect our freedoms...and the freedoms of others. To me they're that way because they saw, lived through and fought during a time when the freedom of others was in danger and they believed our country was something worth fighting for.
And lol..don't worry...I won't think you're pro-Bush ~ pro-republican....you're right....many issues are not partisan issues...but rather should be concern to all of us. We're definately a divided country these days and it concerns me deeply for our future. But I've always believed this board is not a true representation of our nation as a whole - thank God.
posted on June 1, 2004 12:50:26 PM new
LoL Nero!! I think you've misunderstood me and the two blowhards. I don't think their posts are baloney, (and I can guarantee you that they won't "squat to poop on me".
Celebrating a day where you pay homage to the living and dead soldiers is one thing but to say that the living soldiers that are homeless shouldn't be discussed on such a day doesn't make sense to me. In fact, it makes MORE sense to me to discuss the things nobody wants to talk about, like all the people that have died for you in the past year and when the soldiers that do survive come home and become veterans, how they will be looked after. Will they also be tossed away like kleenex?
And about your diet Nero, this low-carb thing isn't healthy in the long-run. Carbs give you energy but protein will make you sleepy. You need more energy to burn animal protein, so if you become less active, you'll gain body fat even though you're "dieting".
posted on June 1, 2004 01:05:55 PM new
which ones are the blowhards?
man, you go for a couple days and all heck breaks looose
No, protien does not make you sleepy, carbs do.
Another fact, that % is probably wrong on the homeless vets. Homeless will 'use' the words 'Vietnam Vet' on their signs to garner more sympathy. My brother told me what to ask one of these guys, to find out if they are a real vet, something about call sign? I forgot, but its something that is drilled into you, and no military person will ever forget it. I do believe those figures are wrong.
posted on June 1, 2004 01:08:24 PM new
Read somewhere in here about 'paper flowers'
Now yesterday, we went to the services, with my dad. We stopped at Larrys Market for flowers. There was an elderly guy in front of the store, with his American Legion hat on, he was taking donations and in return you got a 'paper flower' for your lapel or whatever. The money wasn't for him, it was for the AL. They were poppies made from crepe paper with a label hanging on them American Legion, In Memoriam 2004.
posted on June 1, 2004 01:25:41 PM new
Nearthesea, another thread, here was about homeless veterans. It was started the day before Memorial day and wasn't intended to celebrate Memorial Day. Neroter was confused about that.
I find nothing funny about Neroter's comments here. Inappropriate is a better description.
posted on June 1, 2004 01:40:59 PM new
NearTheSea, on the other thread I posted a link to the article and this is how they arrived at the percentage:
In the past, data quantifying homelessness among veterans did not exist, said Phillip Mangano, who heads the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. "It's been precisely the lack of research that had us groping in the dark as far as what our response should be," he said.
But in 1996, a comprehensive study on homelessness by the Census Bureau co-sponsored by the VA and other federal agencies, offered a disturbing look at the men and women who once wore uniforms.
Although 47% of homeless veterans served during the Vietnam era, the study found, soldiers from as far back as World War II and as recent as the Persian Gulf War also ended up homeless.
It is impossible to know exactly how many U.S. veterans are on the streets, but experts estimate that about 300,000 of them are homeless on any given night and that about half a million experience homelessness at some point during the year.
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I seriously doubt that all the people that happened to read this story on a reputable news site like Yahoo actually had their Memorial Days (or weekends) ruined because of it. And it's very silly that someone who has a personal grudge against me for telling her she was wrong about her accusations towards another ebay seller should now take something like this and play it for days on end to try to get back at me because in the end she looks like a total fool who seriously needs some help. I have no idea who the other person is who supposedly pissed in her cornflakes.
Nero is obviously suffering from some inner pain that she can't deal with and I do advise her to go get some help so she can be happy again. And I'm being kind when I say that.
posted on June 1, 2004 01:42:55 PM new
I wuvs ya Kraftykins
As for the other matter - I feel more pitty than anything else, operating on with that level of venom cannot be easy.
I would be the otherperson in question Kiara - apparently I channel Adam Sorkin and watch (truth be told I rarely watch, I ususally just listen) too many DVDs to be worthy of her approval.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
[ edited by fenix03 on Jun 1, 2004 01:49 PM ]
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