OT: Memorial Day - We Must Not Forget

[Guest guest]

Howdy y'all,

 

Today is Memorial Day .. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day ..

and unfortunately, for some its just another government holiday. But

each year there are more and more American families who see it

otherwise.

 

The top five " most visited " Memorials in the United States are:

 

1. Arlington National Cemetery .. with over 4 millions visitors a

year. I have visited Arlington at least 20 times over the years ..

many of my friends are there. When one enters the Cemetery there is

a sign requesting visitors conduct themselves in a respectable manner

because they will be treading over hallowed ground.

 

2. World War II Memorial, Washington .. with over 3.5 + million

visitors a year. I visit it and the next two each time I visit

Washington .. my father, two uncles and some old friends are honored

by that Memorial..

 

3. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington .. also with over 3.5

million visitors a year. Even while living in Turkey I came to the

U.S.A. each year and I have visited there almost each year since it

was constructed. I have MANY friends whose names are inscribed there.

 

4. Korean War Veterans Memorial, Washington .. with over 3.2 million

visitors a year. I visit it along with the above memorials each

time I visit Washington. Some of my departed friends served in

combat in each of the above three mentioned conflicts.

 

5. The USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii .. I lived in

Hawaii three years while in uniform and we visited the Memorial on

many National Holidays.

 

In the future I am sure there will be a Memorial for those who have

served in the Middle East.

 

First .. I want to thank all the Veterans on this News Group .. and

their families. The family members are as much veterans as were

their loved ones who served in uniform .. waiting is probably far

more difficult than being there .. when we are there we have far less

time on our hands.

 

We all were fortunate to have been able to serve and we are fortunate

to be here to remember on this day. When I think I have problems I

remember those who are behind " The Wall " and realize that they were

not fortunate enough to be able to experience the " inconveniences " we

have in our daily lives.

 

Secondly .. I want to thank the folks who have written me off list

today .. your kind notes were appreciated.

 

Finally .. I want to share the below .. it has always brought tears

to my eyes when I read it.

 

From the Other Side...

 

At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up

that " Black Granite Wall. " Now, every day and night, my Brothers and

Sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of

this " Wall. " Many people stopping briefly and many for hours and

some that come on a regular basis. It was hard at first, not that

it's gotten any easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes

towards that Vietnam War we were involved in have changed. I can

only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something, and

more " Walls " as this one, needn't be built.

 

Several members of my unit, and many that I did not recognize, have

called me to The Wall by touching my name engraved upon it. The

tears aren't necessary, but are hard even for me to hold back. Don't

feel guilty for not being with me, my Brothers. This was my destiny

as it is yours to be on that side of The Wall. Touch The Wall, my

Brothers, so that I can share in the memories that we had. I have

learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only the pleasant

times that we had together. Tell our other Brothers out there to

come and visit me, not to say Good-bye but to say Hello and be

together again ..... even for a short time ..... and to ease that

pain of loss that we all still share.

 

Today, an irresistible and loving call summons me to The Wall. As I

approach, I can see an elderly lady ..... and as I get closer, I

recognize her--It's Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this

day, I have also dreaded it, because I didn't know what reaction I

would have.

 

Next to her, I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it

must have been for her to come to this place, and my mind floods with

the pleasant memories of 35 years past. There's a young man in a

military uniform standing with his arm around her--My God!--he has to

be my son! Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in his

eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him stand tall,

straight and proud in his uniform.

 

Momma comes closer and touches The Wall, and I feel the soft and

gentle touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to

this side of The Wall, and through our touch, I try to convince her

that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain. I

see my wife's courage building as she sees Momma touch The Wall and

she approaches and lays her hand on my waiting hand. All the

emotions, feelings and memories of three decades past flash between

our touch and I tell her that ..... it's all right ..... carry on

with your life and don't worry about me ..... I can see as I look

into her eyes that she hears and a big burden has been lifted from

her on wings of understanding.

 

I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky

charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO ..... a

tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barely remember having as I

grew up as a child ..... and several medals that I had earned and

were presented to my wife. One is the Combat Infantry badge that I

am very proud of, and I notice that my son is also wearing this

medal. I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he had

probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.

 

I can tell that they are preparing to leave, and I try to take a

mental picture of them together, because I don't know when I will see

them again. I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return, and

can only thank them that I was not forgotten. My wife and Momma near

The Wall for one final touch, and so many years of indecision, fear

and sorrow are let go. As they turn to leave, I feel my tears that

had not flowed for so many years, form as if dew drops on the other

side of The Wall.

 

They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulders. My

son suddenly stops and slowly returns. He stands straight and proud

in front of me and snaps a salute. Something draws him near The Wall

and he puts his hand upon the etched stone and touches my tears that

had formed as dew drops on the face of The Wall ..... and I can tell

that he senses my presence and the pride and love that I have for

him. He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I

try my best to reassure him that it's all right, and the tears do not

make him any less of a man. As he moves back wiping the tears from

his eyes, he silently mouths, " God Bless you, Dad ..... "

 

God Bless You, Son ..... we Will meet someday, but in the meanwhile

go on your way ..... there is no hurry at all.

 

As I see them walk off in the distance, I yell loud to Them and

Everyone there today, as loud as I can: Thank You For

Remembering. ..... Thank You All For Remembering ..... and as others

on this side of The Wall join in, I notice the U.S. Flag, Old Glory,

that so proudly flies in front of us everyday, is flapping and

standing proudly straight out in the wind from our gathering numbers

this day ..... and I shout again, and ..... again ..... and

again .....

 

Thanks for Remembering!

 

Thanks for Remembering!

 

Thanks for Remembering!

 

May your Memorial Day be one of remembrance.

 

Y'all keep smiling .. Butch .. in the old days ..

http://health.ph./photos/view/be0

5?b=27

[Guest guest]

Trust you to come out with the most touching post on this day. Thanks

Serra

 

 

 

On Mon, May 26, 2008 at 3:34 PM, Butch Owen <butchowen wrote:

> Howdy y'all,

>

> Today is Memorial Day .. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day ..

> and unfortunately, for some its just another government holiday. But

> each year there are more and more American families who see it

> otherwise.

>

 

 

 

--

Ask me about this week's new washcloths and see them at

http://flickr.com/photos/scentedserra

[Guest guest]

I fly my flag proudly today and every day and never forget those who

have served us (and currently are serving our country) and those who

gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms!

 

Thank you for posting this, Butch!

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

http://www.czluxe.com

 

, " Butch Owen " <butchowen wrote:

>

> Howdy y'all,

>

> Today is Memorial Day .. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day ..

> and unfortunately, for some its just another government holiday. But

> each year there are more and more American families who see it

> otherwise.

>

> The top five " most visited " Memorials in the United States are:

>

> 1. Arlington National Cemetery .. with over 4 millions visitors a

> year. I have visited Arlington at least 20 times over the years ..

> many of my friends are there. When one enters the Cemetery there is

> a sign requesting visitors conduct themselves in a respectable manner

> because they will be treading over hallowed ground.

>

> 2. World War II Memorial, Washington .. with over 3.5 + million

> visitors a year. I visit it and the next two each time I visit

> Washington .. my father, two uncles and some old friends are honored

> by that Memorial..

>

> 3. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington .. also with over 3.5

> million visitors a year. Even while living in Turkey I came to the

> U.S.A. each year and I have visited there almost each year since it

> was constructed. I have MANY friends whose names are inscribed there.

>

> 4. Korean War Veterans Memorial, Washington .. with over 3.2 million

> visitors a year. I visit it along with the above memorials each

> time I visit Washington. Some of my departed friends served in

> combat in each of the above three mentioned conflicts.

>

> 5. The USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii .. I lived in

> Hawaii three years while in uniform and we visited the Memorial on

> many National Holidays.

>

> In the future I am sure there will be a Memorial for those who have

> served in the Middle East.

>

> First .. I want to thank all the Veterans on this News Group .. and

> their families. The family members are as much veterans as were

> their loved ones who served in uniform .. waiting is probably far

> more difficult than being there .. when we are there we have far less

> time on our hands.

>

> We all were fortunate to have been able to serve and we are fortunate

> to be here to remember on this day. When I think I have problems I

> remember those who are behind " The Wall " and realize that they were

> not fortunate enough to be able to experience the " inconveniences " we

> have in our daily lives.

>

> Secondly .. I want to thank the folks who have written me off list

> today .. your kind notes were appreciated.

>

> Finally .. I want to share the below .. it has always brought tears

> to my eyes when I read it.

>

> From the Other Side...

>

> At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up

> that " Black Granite Wall. " Now, every day and night, my Brothers and

> Sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of

> this " Wall. " Many people stopping briefly and many for hours and

> some that come on a regular basis. It was hard at first, not that

> it's gotten any easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes

> towards that Vietnam War we were involved in have changed. I can

> only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something, and

> more " Walls " as this one, needn't be built.

>

> Several members of my unit, and many that I did not recognize, have

> called me to The Wall by touching my name engraved upon it. The

> tears aren't necessary, but are hard even for me to hold back. Don't

> feel guilty for not being with me, my Brothers. This was my destiny

> as it is yours to be on that side of The Wall. Touch The Wall, my

> Brothers, so that I can share in the memories that we had. I have

> learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only the pleasant

> times that we had together. Tell our other Brothers out there to

> come and visit me, not to say Good-bye but to say Hello and be

> together again ..... even for a short time ..... and to ease that

> pain of loss that we all still share.

>

> Today, an irresistible and loving call summons me to The Wall. As I

> approach, I can see an elderly lady ..... and as I get closer, I

> recognize her--It's Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this

> day, I have also dreaded it, because I didn't know what reaction I

> would have.

>

> Next to her, I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it

> must have been for her to come to this place, and my mind floods with

> the pleasant memories of 35 years past. There's a young man in a

> military uniform standing with his arm around her--My God!--he has to

> be my son! Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in his

> eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him stand tall,

> straight and proud in his uniform.

>

> Momma comes closer and touches The Wall, and I feel the soft and

> gentle touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to

> this side of The Wall, and through our touch, I try to convince her

> that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain. I

> see my wife's courage building as she sees Momma touch The Wall and

> she approaches and lays her hand on my waiting hand. All the

> emotions, feelings and memories of three decades past flash between

> our touch and I tell her that ..... it's all right ..... carry on

> with your life and don't worry about me ..... I can see as I look

> into her eyes that she hears and a big burden has been lifted from

> her on wings of understanding.

>

> I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky

> charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO ..... a

> tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barely remember having as I

> grew up as a child ..... and several medals that I had earned and

> were presented to my wife. One is the Combat Infantry badge that I

> am very proud of, and I notice that my son is also wearing this

> medal. I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he had

> probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.

>

> I can tell that they are preparing to leave, and I try to take a

> mental picture of them together, because I don't know when I will see

> them again. I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return, and

> can only thank them that I was not forgotten. My wife and Momma near

> The Wall for one final touch, and so many years of indecision, fear

> and sorrow are let go. As they turn to leave, I feel my tears that

> had not flowed for so many years, form as if dew drops on the other

> side of The Wall.

>

> They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulders. My

> son suddenly stops and slowly returns. He stands straight and proud

> in front of me and snaps a salute. Something draws him near The Wall

> and he puts his hand upon the etched stone and touches my tears that

> had formed as dew drops on the face of The Wall ..... and I can tell

> that he senses my presence and the pride and love that I have for

> him. He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I

> try my best to reassure him that it's all right, and the tears do not

> make him any less of a man. As he moves back wiping the tears from

> his eyes, he silently mouths, " God Bless you, Dad ..... "

>

> God Bless You, Son ..... we Will meet someday, but in the meanwhile

> go on your way ..... there is no hurry at all.

>

> As I see them walk off in the distance, I yell loud to Them and

> Everyone there today, as loud as I can: Thank You For

> Remembering. ..... Thank You All For Remembering ..... and as others

> on this side of The Wall join in, I notice the U.S. Flag, Old Glory,

> that so proudly flies in front of us everyday, is flapping and

> standing proudly straight out in the wind from our gathering numbers

> this day ..... and I shout again, and ..... again ..... and

> again .....

>

> Thanks for Remembering!

>

> Thanks for Remembering!

>

> Thanks for Remembering!

>

> May your Memorial Day be one of remembrance.

>

> Y'all keep smiling .. Butch .. in the old days ..

> http://health.ph./photos/view/be0

> 5?b=27

>