Strong posts that bring it all home from Cheater and MIA.

I've often wondered how many know the story behind Memorial Day, for it is nothing short of inspiring...after a battle in the Civil War, freed slaves dug up the remains of fallen soldiers and gave them a PROPER burial. Afterwards, a parade of 10,000 people, was held in Charlotte, SC, LED by over 2000 black children singing praise and worship to God for their new found freedom. In light of current events, I hope and pray that we, as a Country, reflect upon and draw from this incredible event in our history. You might be brown, yellow,black or white, but you are an American citizen first. We all would be well served to look at this MEMORIAL, and try a little harder to live out what these wonderful people set as an example to us all.

http://qpolitical.com/hes-only-11-bu...ill-shock-you/

...it seems fitting to post the Lyrics to Taps after watching this video...never has 24 notes held'or evoked so much emotion

Day is done, gone the sun
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh

Fading light, dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar, drawing nigh, fall the night

Thanks and praise, for our days
Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky
As we go, this we know, God is nigh

Sun has set, shadows come
Time has fled, scouts must go their beds
Always true to the promise they made

While the light, fades from sight
And the stars gleaming nights softly send,
To Thy hands we are souls, Lord commend.

SALUTE to all the members of our Military for accepting a duty more important than life itself, and to their families, who also serve in their way of sacrificing their loved ones ..many times alone, and some, for a lifetime.

God Bless everyone here...take moment today and remember how precious and fragile our freedom is, and the great cost paid to achieve it.

After Cheaters post I have got no words. It was all said right in that post. My respect admiration hardly seems adequate.

Thank you. Cool pic. Great post.

Thanks for all the veterans and service men and women who have and will continue to protect our freedom.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Omd9_FJnerY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They haven’t forgotten. For 70 years, the Dutch have come to a verdant U.S. cemetery outside this small village to care for the graves of Americans killed in World War II.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...fb7_story.html

I am one of the 99% who never served, never paid a blood sacrifice for the freedom provided to me by those who served and died. Nobody likes war, but some see the necessity of the fight, and are willing to lay it all on the lines to protect this nation. I am fortunate to know some veterans, and I am forever grateful for their service.

My father, United States Army, served in the late 50's in Germany. Later, as a civilian, saw a year in Saigon and various other posts in Vietnam. He's got some very interesting stories, especially from his time in Vietnam.

My good friend and brother, the bass player for my band. Was a Captain in the Army National Guard, did a 9 month tour in Iraq in '04 where he did see bullets fly. It was very very good to have him come home.

My own son, a United States Marine Lance Corporal assigned to Intel, stationed in Hawaii...

All gave some, some gave all. God Bless them all, and to all you who have served, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

https://fbcdn-photos-f-a.akamaihd.ne...41944c2b2868a3

My brother who paid the biggest price that anyone could pay..just a child when he was taken but a bigger man than most ever become..I still can't wrap my head around it being almost 8 years since he was ripped away from his family and from us..his brothers..

I will never forget all the bottles of Captain Morgan and Coke strung out over his room a few days we deployed and him just shrugging his shoulders and saying to me, "It could be worse, there could be a fat girl in my bed too."

All of the good times, all of the jokes, all the laughing, all the long ruck marches, all the hot shitty days that never seemed to end..looking back on those are some of the greatest memories of my life..then it all came to a stop and no more of those memories would ever be made

I almost think we should be like Israel, where most everyone is required to commit to a 2 year enlistment... its an unpopular opinion, and I'm even somewhat mixed about it.

But it sure doesnt seem like a bad idea.

All of the 20 something flag burners would sure receive a different outlook when they see the incredible camaraderie and diversity within our armed forces... people from literally ALL over the world, some that hardly speak English, all on the same side and fighting for each other.

The diversity within our military was maybe the biggest takeaway I had from the experience, every single nationality and walk of life seemed to be represented... "how can we ever be beaten with so many life experiences/intelligences onboard?", that was honestly one of my first thoughts.

Our military covers the human spectrum.

Heh, don't let RubberSponge see this thread. He'll bitch you out.

Saving Private Ryan is a great movie. On AMC all day.