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Me myself…..with a daughter in the Air Force now, my heart
is even heavier on days like these. Sometimes I look at her
curled up in bed with her ponytail, and a rag doll from 15 years
ago and I sigh. Because just a few hours earlier I had seen
her walk through the door in her Airman Battle Uniform.

So today, I am asking…not only to remember those that have
given the ultimate sacrifice, but to remember the families, and
imagine what it would be like to be in their shoes. To lose
a husband, brother, wife, a friend.

The world has a very cruel way of going on sometimes…and
so many heroes, deaths, go unnoticed.

Please remember them today. Notice them. Thank them. Thank
God for your freedoms.

Our board is filled with vets.

Please thank them. Please read their thoughts.

I didn’t get everyone’s and hopefully the ones I missed

will follow suit and post in this thread as well.

Salute to our SJ Vets…I asked each what branch, rank,
and what Memorial Day means to them…..

BFISA:
I retired from the US Army as a Master Sergeant, pay grade E-8.

I think first of all of the guys I served with in Vietnam that didn’t come back; I still grieve for their loss.

But eventually my thoughts turn to the extraordinary comraderie of my Special Forces friends that I’m in daily contact with, and I realize what a lucky man I am to have the life that I do today.

RoatanCharlie:

US Army, Major (retired)

I don’t think of Memorial Day as a day of mourning, but as a day of remembrance to celebrate those that have fallen in the cause of freedom. Better to honor those close to us in memories with stories of their deeds than allow them to fade away.

Jimmie:

US Army Sgt (E-5p) 1986-1992

Memorial day is just that..to remember your fallen brothers.
I’m pretty much easy going and very laid back, and I dont take life to seriously. I love to joke and laugh, so this is hard for me to tell you this…

I served in Desert Storm in 1990-1991. I spent 13 months in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. I was with the 3rd Armored Calvary (Ft Hood Texas).

anyway, we had a mostly uneventful time there…we had Field Artillery Units send rounds down range, and then we would go through and clean up as needed. I towed a refrigerated van, and we used that as a temporary morgue.

well we were securing some bunkers, and one guy decided to open a set of cabinets to see what he could find…bang! it was boobie-trapped…pretty gory and scary stuff. that was our first casualty.

about a month later we were convoying back, headed to the rear and were going to cycle home.

I was a driver and had 15 guys on my vehicle. The rule was to stay on the vehicle at all times, do not get off.

Well my best friend, of 5 years, Bobby decided he needed to pee while we were stopped. He jumped out of the vehicle, and did his business…THEN he saw something on the ground…I’ll never forget this as long as I live… it looked like a TOP on a long string.

I just happened to look into my side mirror and I saw him..I turned to yell, “Get back on the vehicle!”…he had already picked this thing up and is spinning it in the air above his head…hes laughing and says..”Hey Jimbo..look at this…” just then, it starts with a real high pitched whistle and it gets louder….about ten minutes later Bobby died in my arms…

That’s what I think when I think Memorial day…I miss the hell out of the stupid bastard.

I am very fortunate to be here to tell you this story, because for years after, I blamed myself for his death. It was my vehicle, I was in charge, I should have been watching those guys on the back of the vehicle..no one should have gotten off…anyway, I have learned to deal with this, it still hurts and I guess it always will, but I have learned to deal. I have a wonderful family and I am probably the luckiest guy in the world, because of them.

OBLONG BISCUITS:

I was a First Class Petty Officer (E-6) on a Fast Attack Submarine in the US NAVY. I was a Machinist Mate First Class serving most of my time on the USS San Juan (SSN 751). When I hear the Term memorial day I think of all the white crosses in Arlington National Cemetery. Kinda Morbid..But that’s the picture I see.

BoltsBucsRays:

US Navy , E-6, God bless all that gave their all so we could be FREE.

ReveryRoadie:

Service – US Navy
Highest Rank – GMG2(Gunners Mate Guns, Petty Officer Second Class) better known as an E-5

Memorial day reminds me of all the brave men and woman who have served our country, both in peacetime and wartime. They volunteered themselves because they believed that this country was worth defending. they understand that the Constitution and Declaration of Independence are living breathing documents. I also remember all the service that my family has given to this nation.

Here is a poem written by one of our members…CCBoy