Corps here, ’69-’72. Remember the first time I saw that pic and how it ripped my guts out. Just finished putting our new flag out between the garage and the doorstep no more than 10 minutes ago. I realize folks mean well when they say Happy Memorial Day. But it’s a very somber time for me. A time to remember good men I knew, long dead now. We took some casualties in ’70. Nothing like the guys from ’66-’69 but we took some. Those guys never grew old. I did. It isn’t right. Never will be.
God Bless America.
WTF, you got it.
I served my time, 3/4 and 1/5, then got to come home and have a life.
Too many didn’t and still don’t, or they come home fucked up.
Like you said, “Those guys never grew old. I did. It isn’t right. Never will be.”
Never will be right for their families either.
The last Monday in May always has it’s tough times.
Crawfisher
May 27, 2018 6:31 pm
I was not in the military, did work overseas in support of the military, thus I am very supportive of the women and men who serve. My concerns are with our political leadership (multiple presidents) who have sustained a 17 year war. The USA military won – period, can we now give somebody back their countries by now and leave?
Unpresented
May 27, 2018 7:06 pm
The caption is OK, but take away those white letters and the photo is indeed poignant.
Steve
May 27, 2018 8:44 pm
Every time I use my military discount I hear “thank you for your service”. It’s beginning yo make my skin crawl. I haven’t come up with a good come back that is factually informative and not insulting or degrading to the well intentioned voice speaking the trite phrase. Any answers out there?
I tell them “You don’t understand. It was my privilege to serve. No thanks necessary.” I agree that it’s become a trite saying but remember folks mean well and that’s the heart of it.
I started saying “Wish you had said sorry for sending you instead” and that seems to work well.
BB
May 27, 2018 9:20 pm
Steve , don’t know why you feel that way .I was never in the military but my Grandfather was in the first wave at Omaha Beach and all the way to outskirts of Berlin .My father fought in various places in Vietnam .I have always had the deepest respect for veterans so don’t feel bad when someone says thank you.They may come from a family like mine and really mean it .God bless and thank you for your service.
BB,
It’s knowing the valor and sacrifices all those serving made that makes it difficult. The reason we go to wars is the problem. It’s never about “our freedoms and way of life”. It’s the incredible people being dupes of the MIC that don’t give a rat’s ass about them or their plight in making such enormous sacrifices. Every war is a financial racket that enriches those in power upon the death and dismemberment of people’s everywhere while sold as defense of freedom or against some oppressor.
Steve
May 27, 2018 10:42 pm
Combat vets motorcycle asssn, which I’m a member and other similar orgs rode to Cape Canaveral Military Cemetery yesterday. We each “sponsored” a vet KIA. Mine was Sgt Patrick C. Hawkins, age 25. When I looked him up (google) it’s hard to make sense of the loss and wasted life.
Mark
May 27, 2018 11:35 pm
I humped the M-60 in 69…the 5 Marines in my Gun Team lasted a little over 8 months…all 5 of us made it home eventually…with 12 Purple Hearts, three of’em mine. About 1/3rd of my Company is on the Wall, another 1/3rd was horrifically wounded for life. Almost every one was hit once.
It is a rare day I don’t think about them…and then there is this:
Things I learned from Nam that were good, that I hold close:
1. A wide and deep appreciation for the basics of life:
• Unlimited clean water!
• Unlimited nutritious food of endless variety
• A roof over my head
• A comfortable bed
• Time to sleep and rest
• No one trying to kill me
2. A deep appreciation for the core of normal life, a common uneventful day.
3. The experiences, knowledge, and combat skills to defend my family and myself far, far past the average American.
4. Living in a country with the freedom and liberty to worship God as I believe, own land and property, live where I want. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights!
5. The opportunity to build a family, career, save and live on my own farm without debt.
6. A chance to grow old with my wife and play with our Grandson!
Anonymous
May 27, 2018 11:41 pm
Today, as always, I remember my Great, Great Uncle Brigadier General William MacRae, CSA. A man, dearly loved by those in his charge,who led a bayonet charge at the Battle of Reams Station in 1864 and was victorious. He was the last Commander of “Lee’s Tar Heels” (a brigade consisting of four, and at times, five regiments of North Carolina boys that had fought at Gettysburg) after Brigadier Generals James Pettigrew and William Kirkland had commandeered the Brigade.
Connections. Early Sunday mornings the tube has some dudes that share their views of life, taking lessons from the good book. I sometimes observe. One is based out west, and these last few weeks is exploring what Solomon had to say, and what it means in the modern age. So, I’ve been reading Ecc a bit, and re-learning a bit about what’s important, and here you post this tune, which I’ve always liked.
Coincidence? I think more than that. Made me smile. There’s some good bonds that get strengthened by the stuff we just send out there, and some see it, and relate to it.
Pretty cool, imo.
Don’t overheat down south. Stay cool, and have a great Memorial Day.
Corps here, ’69-’72. Remember the first time I saw that pic and how it ripped my guts out. Just finished putting our new flag out between the garage and the doorstep no more than 10 minutes ago. I realize folks mean well when they say Happy Memorial Day. But it’s a very somber time for me. A time to remember good men I knew, long dead now. We took some casualties in ’70. Nothing like the guys from ’66-’69 but we took some. Those guys never grew old. I did. It isn’t right. Never will be.
God Bless America.
WTF. I am afraid that your god will never bless your America. Regardless of the sacrifice of you friends.
What do you know about the sacrifice of whiskey tango foxtrot’s friends? I suspect nothing.
WTF, you got it.
I served my time, 3/4 and 1/5, then got to come home and have a life.
Too many didn’t and still don’t, or they come home fucked up.
Like you said, “Those guys never grew old. I did. It isn’t right. Never will be.”
Never will be right for their families either.
The last Monday in May always has it’s tough times.
I was not in the military, did work overseas in support of the military, thus I am very supportive of the women and men who serve. My concerns are with our political leadership (multiple presidents) who have sustained a 17 year war. The USA military won – period, can we now give somebody back their countries by now and leave?
The caption is OK, but take away those white letters and the photo is indeed poignant.
Every time I use my military discount I hear “thank you for your service”. It’s beginning yo make my skin crawl. I haven’t come up with a good come back that is factually informative and not insulting or degrading to the well intentioned voice speaking the trite phrase. Any answers out there?
It wasn’t service, it was a job.
I tell them “You don’t understand. It was my privilege to serve. No thanks necessary.” I agree that it’s become a trite saying but remember folks mean well and that’s the heart of it.
Stop using your discount.
I started saying “Wish you had said sorry for sending you instead” and that seems to work well.
Steve , don’t know why you feel that way .I was never in the military but my Grandfather was in the first wave at Omaha Beach and all the way to outskirts of Berlin .My father fought in various places in Vietnam .I have always had the deepest respect for veterans so don’t feel bad when someone says thank you.They may come from a family like mine and really mean it .God bless and thank you for your service.
BB,
It’s knowing the valor and sacrifices all those serving made that makes it difficult. The reason we go to wars is the problem. It’s never about “our freedoms and way of life”. It’s the incredible people being dupes of the MIC that don’t give a rat’s ass about them or their plight in making such enormous sacrifices. Every war is a financial racket that enriches those in power upon the death and dismemberment of people’s everywhere while sold as defense of freedom or against some oppressor.
Combat vets motorcycle asssn, which I’m a member and other similar orgs rode to Cape Canaveral Military Cemetery yesterday. We each “sponsored” a vet KIA. Mine was Sgt Patrick C. Hawkins, age 25. When I looked him up (google) it’s hard to make sense of the loss and wasted life.
I humped the M-60 in 69…the 5 Marines in my Gun Team lasted a little over 8 months…all 5 of us made it home eventually…with 12 Purple Hearts, three of’em mine. About 1/3rd of my Company is on the Wall, another 1/3rd was horrifically wounded for life. Almost every one was hit once.
It is a rare day I don’t think about them…and then there is this:
Things I learned from Nam that were good, that I hold close:
1. A wide and deep appreciation for the basics of life:
• Unlimited clean water!
• Unlimited nutritious food of endless variety
• A roof over my head
• A comfortable bed
• Time to sleep and rest
• No one trying to kill me
2. A deep appreciation for the core of normal life, a common uneventful day.
3. The experiences, knowledge, and combat skills to defend my family and myself far, far past the average American.
4. Living in a country with the freedom and liberty to worship God as I believe, own land and property, live where I want. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights!
5. The opportunity to build a family, career, save and live on my own farm without debt.
6. A chance to grow old with my wife and play with our Grandson!
Today, as always, I remember my Great, Great Uncle Brigadier General William MacRae, CSA. A man, dearly loved by those in his charge,who led a bayonet charge at the Battle of Reams Station in 1864 and was victorious. He was the last Commander of “Lee’s Tar Heels” (a brigade consisting of four, and at times, five regiments of North Carolina boys that had fought at Gettysburg) after Brigadier Generals James Pettigrew and William Kirkland had commandeered the Brigade.
His picture is on my wall. God Bless the CSA!!
nkit
Connections. Early Sunday mornings the tube has some dudes that share their views of life, taking lessons from the good book. I sometimes observe. One is based out west, and these last few weeks is exploring what Solomon had to say, and what it means in the modern age. So, I’ve been reading Ecc a bit, and re-learning a bit about what’s important, and here you post this tune, which I’ve always liked.
Coincidence? I think more than that. Made me smile. There’s some good bonds that get strengthened by the stuff we just send out there, and some see it, and relate to it.
Pretty cool, imo.
Don’t overheat down south. Stay cool, and have a great Memorial Day.