Memorial Day, 2014.

Memorial Day was first designated on 30 May, 1868. The following is excerpted from General Orders No. 11; Grand Army of the Republic:

We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation's gratitude—the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective.   

  It remains for those of us, the living, to guard the memories of the fallen who gave their last full measure at places like Lexington, Cowpens, Manassas, Gettysburg, San Juan Hill, Flanders, the Ardenne, Bastogne, Iwo Jima, Coral Sea, Khe Sahn, Baghdad, Fallujah, and countless others that most will never know. So on this Memorial Day celebrate with family and friends, and worship as you choose. But never forget that the freedom's we enjoy were purchased at a cost that cannot be replaced. They are your grandfathers, fathers, husbands, sons and daughters. They answered duty's call, never complained, and gave more than can ever be repaid. So this Memorial Day, steal a quiet moment and remember. And if you should meet up with a veteran, a simple thanks will be much appreciated.

"Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God"

Two posts yearly in the community forum, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Been doing this since we started the Vets group here. Thank you for your service.

I just want to thank Officer Ronald J. Cote for saving this country from the empire of Vietnam. 

                     Well Thank YOU, and your welcome

Oh, and thank you for stopping Grenada from bombing us. And thank you for defending us from Afghanistan. And thank you for giving us all these freedoms....  

Thank you for killing all those Iraqi people. Thank you for killing as many people as you could all over the world......

Of course you are entitled to espouse your views freely; the millions who have served honorably have guaranteed your right to free speech. I would point out, rhetorically, that the decision to deploy the armed forces of the United States, rests entirely with the Commander-in-Chief and the Congress.

The decision to obey orders, such as going across the ocean to kill people who have done no harm whatsoever to this country, rests entirely with you. You're responsible.

                     Does your opinion stay the same with Pearl Harbor??  Japan DID cross an ocean to kill people who did no harm to them.

Leave it to venemous traitors like trysts to cast stones at those who have made the ultimate sacifice for their country ... disgusting really that her hatred runs so deep yet she stays in the very country she hates so much . Why dont such people leave ?  Delta is ready when you are ! 

Don't you think something is wrong with invading countries for no good reason? Do you like countries filled with people who love war so much? Why do you even live in this country, Reb, when it's clear that you want to live in a country where the citizens don't have the right to criticize their government's horrible decisions? 

I would stand up next to you and defend her still today!

Your problem is that you blame the soldiers ( fallen and not ) when its their govt to blame if the war isnt just/worthy . It is NOT the fault of those who are following lawful orders since they took an oath to follow all lawful orders . Your hatred is misplaced and should go towards the govt/politicians and NOT those who are merely trying to serve their country honorably . 

The "venemous traitors" are the politicians who think that the blood of their countrymen are the fuels of politics.  They will destroy any lives they deem necessary for conquest and imperialism and they don't give a damn about the vets who come back ruined by the experience.  If this country would treat its vets with some respect, I might get behind this holiday.  But they don't.  Once you are a disabled vet, you are nothing but leacher wanting more handouts.  And you faux-patriots let this happen; you vote the same people in who screwed us vets over and over and then bitch about us complaining.  I got my NDM for Desert Storm and I've seen a bunch of my brothers- and sisters-in-arms get ignored by the VA and the US public, after serving in for-choice wars that began over politicians lying.  Those politicians are the venemous traitors and I'd like to see you guys them the same amount of crap that you give trysts, but I know you won't.  It's easier to gang up on a lone voice than it is to address the issue, but her voice, combined with others like her, will eventually make this all moot.  When the pacifist is held in the same esteem as the warrior, then we may have a chance as a society, but I don't see that happening, anymore than I see the US admitting it is not an exceptional country, and our leaders are subject to the same international laws as all other countries.  When you guys can get behind that then I might respect your opinions on this, but not until then.

                   dashkee;  I'm sorry for your injuries buddy, but that VA thing happens after every war.

RJC

That's my point.  If this country gave a damn about the ones who committed the unpardenable sin of not getting killed then I might support this stuff.  And if we held our leaders accountable (like LBJ or Duh-bya) I might support it.  But they don't, and I don't support them.

                           Dashkee is my brother in arms, and Trysts is a good person. So can I provide a little insight without starting an argument please??  Rachel Maddow aired a show recently entitled, "Why We Did It".  We didn't go to Irac for the oil, or the weapons of mass destruction. We took down a dictator who threaten to shut off the oil supply to the entire free world, by controlling The Straights Of Hormouth. Yes, we led the way, but 65 countries participated in that war because you just can't allow any dictator the ability to turn off the spicket of anything. Be it oil, finance, food, etc. 

                        I don't like Shensecky's attitude. The VA was never intended to be run by an ex flag officer. I think he's done some good but the problem is systemic. I gotta leave in  few minutes to go to the VA so I'll look at this thread when I come back.  Peace To ALL.   BTW Trysts;  I DID like your impression of me in the other thread, it was cute.   I didn't see it until a hr later because I was too busy getting insulted in another thread.   One more quick P.S.  Yesterday, the US State Department issued a warning for all Americans to get out of Liberia. I have no doubt Navy Seals are planning an operation as we speak, against that terrorist group that kidnapped those 300 young girls.

Then what about our sanctions against other countries?  It was the sanctions against Japan that led Japan to attack us at Pearl Harbor.  It's my point that the US doesn't look at it's own actions as it looks at others.  Do you support genocide?  Do you support any government that promotes genocide?  The US government supports genocide; look at the history of relations with the Americans (not Indians, or Native Americans--they are the only true Americans) and it's an obvious case.  Desert Storm was a set-up; we privately told Saddam it was an internal Arab conflict, of no concern to the US, then told him publically get out or we'll throw you out.  And Dr Maddow has some good points about the new war, but the oil bourse had a lot to do with it, changing the exchange from US dollars to Euros.  We weren't going to let that happen.  And the reason the troops went was the lies about WMDs, nothing else.

Dashkee and wdaly is what this country needs. The entire world does not need American cheerleaders. Since I was born, the U.S. has government has constantly made disgusting decisions on foreign policy which have extinguished lives, families, and property all over the world. Why am I able to find out that our government doesn't care about people's lives--including American citizens--yet the people who carry out this foreign policy don't think it's wrong and actually volunteer to do it? The information is right there, you don't have to listen to propaganda. Why are American families not telling their sons and daughters that it is wrong to sign up for the American military because the people in power are irresponsible? Why aren't more people frustrated, embarrassed and mad enough at our government to change it? Why isn't there more of a demand for an anti-war administration? Honestly, how long will it take for it all to change?