Memorial Day

[Mr. Man]

Don't know if 'Happy' Memorial Day is the appropriate way to say it but just wanted to let everyone know we are thinking of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and my family defending our freedoms.

God Bless them all..........:beer: :bows: :bows: :bows:

[Ms. Denmark]

Don't know if 'Happy' Memorial Day is the appropriate way to say it but just wanted to let everyone know we are thinking of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and my family defending our freedoms.

God Bless them all..........:beer: :bows: :bows: :bows:
Well said. I second that. :flag:

[1Marauder]

OK,

So a back track... left my Dad's house in OKC... And headed to Fayatville ARK... And just before ARK (leaving Oklahome) I pulled over at the rest stop.

In the parking lot there, there were about 50 motorcycles, and with them were 50 or so riders, from each socio-economic strata... Each motorcycle very different, old-new-rare-showroom, and each rider too -- Each very different, although each appeared to be about the same age.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/e9yde5u8.jpg

I parked not too far from the bikes, used the facilities, and on my way out a nice gentleman said, "I bet you are wondering WHY we are here!" Not wanting to be rude, and generally interested I nodded affirmative. A few more guys came over and he said, "We are all Viet Nam vets... And the Memorial Wall is headed to Fort Smith... The Wall has been escorted across country, the Oklahoma contingent is escorting it now... they'll be here in about 30 minutes, and we'll join them and escort the Wall the rest of the way." I gently asked if he (they) minded if I hung around to see it, and join them, figuring it was a once in a lifetime event for me, and wanting to show that I/We (the grand "WE") cared.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/uduhagyp.jpg

Unexpectedly, someone called all of the riders over for a meeting, urging caution, advising the size of the contingent not to break traffic laws, and most of all to be careful... Both on the freeway for the remaining miles, and most of all through town, as they would clearly not ALL "make the lights" in unison through town... then the leader did something unexpected, he asked each man to bow his head... And he led them in prayer.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/aneqepet.jpg

75 to 100 feet away I watched every head bow in silence at once, and they prayed for the loss of life so many years before, and yet so current in each of their lives. I had the camera in my hand and started to take a picture (my family owned a small photography company when I was younger and taking GOOD photos comes naturally--after so many years of practice) But as I raised the camera to my face, something was wrong, the viewfinder was all blurry, the guys were out of focus--much like the keyboard and screen i am looking at now are all blurry.

Tears were streaming down my face then, as they are now writing about it.

I didn't have the courage to intrude upon them then-- I wish I had, and I wish that I had said the two words that are said the least, and the two words that we need to say more often, especially to the members of our armed forces, "THANK YOU!"

After I gained my composure I did take just one picture of the group, and looking at it now, many hands are raised to their faces, just as mine were to mine.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/uze2a9a7.jpg

The WALL arrived, I shot a few photos of it, some of the bikes, and then I escorted the group, riding out slow and last-- with my emergency flashers on, slowing cars coming up from behind, and watching the miles of riders escort the Memorial Wall to Fort Smith.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/bare6u7u.jpg

I share this event and photos only as a means of saying thank you to each member of of our armed forces.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/ete6ynyq.jpg

Photos will be attached as soon as someone can tell me HOW to attach more than one at a time.

[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/ama6udah.jpg[/IMG


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[rocky]

3rd that! God bless all who served!


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[1Marauder]

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[1Marauder]

Today, and every day, shall we strive to honor those who have sacrificed for our country.


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[Dave2]

http://www.eastbayri.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/memorial_day.jpg

[Ms. Denmark]

Those are wonderful pics, 1Marauder. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[rocky]

Nice Grant!


Sent from my iPhone 5

[F2F]

God bless our true heros and their families. It is amazing that any human will put their life on the line when they have zero input on how things ahould be ran. I repsect and care for all of them. Way to go men and women.

[ROCOB]

Excellent Thread!!!!
I want to say that my addition to this thread is not to hi-jack it, but merely add to the thread.

Three years ago I did a little research and found an interesting website. I have tried to make this available for public viewing via facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/stacy-hilley/memorial-day/121248737912606

[Mr. Man]

Excellent Thread!!!!
I want to say that my addition to this thread is not to hi-jack it, but merely add to the thread.

Three years ago I did a little research and found an interesting website. I have tried to make this available for public viewing via facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/stacy-hilley/memorial-day/121248737912606
Very interesting and heart breaking web page and I recommend all of you read it.

It made me teary eyed to see all those gleaming white grave stones of the brave scared soldiers who died trying to liberate those who needed America's help. :bows: :bows:

[DS650]

God bless all who have served and are serving. We have the freedoms we have because of them.

[Krytin]

"Freedom isn't Free."
Thanks to our American Military Service People - Past and Present!

[MMBLUE]

Very nice thread. And thanks to all who have made the ultimate sacrifice :bows:.

Last year I was at a ramp ceremony in Kandahar and was tear eyed as we had to see off one of the brave on this day.

[DOOM]

:flag: :flag:

[Guittard22]

Happy' Memorial Day

[Bob Mathis]

Just want to say to all have a great ,safe weekend. But do not for get those that have died to give use the freedom we have.

I am a retired Army Viet Nam Vet and lost a lot of friends. So it is a very special day for me. As I know there are others here that are vets from other wars.

To all thank you for your service.

[jsignorelli]

Every night I remember those friends I went to school with and also served with who have paid the ultimate price for my freedom. As a scoutmaster, I think of the boys I trained who now serve in harms way. Many of them receive "care packages" from my car club just to let them know that we are thinking about them.
If you can, send goodies to our troops, they will love you for it. Candy, writing paper, shampoo, instant meals, snacks, etc.

[Merrill]

Cool pic, Cobras could do some serious damage, I think the Marine Corps are still using a variant. Thanks for your service.

[Bluerauder]

:flag: I'll be flying my Flag all weekend in Memory of those Fallen in Service to the Country !! :flag:

The best way to Honor those who have served and who have Paid the Ultimate Price is to respect the Rights and Freedoms that we have as Americans.

[Ms. Denmark]

These are the words that James A. Garfield spoke at Arlington Cemetery on Decoration Day, May 30, 1868



"......We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke: but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue."


This Memorial Day 2015 let us gratefully remember all those who've gone before who died in service to our country.

[MMBLUE]

To my fallen comrades, Thank you, and may God bless you :flag:

[1Marauder]

Thank you to all that have served.

I was lucky enough to once witness the traveling Memorial Wall, and join a convoy of Veterans who were escorting it across country (via local chapters). Just being allowed to witness it was an honor I will never forget.

[1Marauder]

OK,

So a back track... left my Dad's house in OKC... And headed to Fayatville ARK... And just before ARK (leaving Oklahome) I pulled over at the rest stop.

In the parking lot there, there were about 50 motorcycles, and with them were 50 or so riders, from each socio-economic strata... Each motorcycle very different, old-new-rare-showroom, and each rider too -- Each very different, although each appeared to be about the same age.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/e9yde5u8.jpg

I parked not too far from the bikes, used the facilities, and on my way out a nice gentleman said, "I bet you are wondering WHY we are here!" Not wanting to be rude, and generally interested I nodded affirmative. A few more guys came over and he said, "We are all Viet Nam vets... And the Memorial Wall is headed to Fort Smith... The Wall has been escorted across country, the Oklahoma contingent is escorting it now... they'll be here in about 30 minutes, and we'll join them and escort the Wall the rest of the way." I gently asked if he (they) minded if I hung around to see it, and join them, figuring it was a once in a lifetime event for me, and wanting to show that I/We (the grand "WE") cared.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/uduhagyp.jpg

Unexpectedly, someone called all of the riders over for a meeting, urging caution, advising the size of the contingent not to break traffic laws, and most of all to be careful... Both on the freeway for the remaining miles, and most of all through town, as they would clearly not ALL "make the lights" in unison through town... then the leader did something unexpected, he asked each man to bow his head... And he led them in prayer.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/aneqepet.jpg

75 to 100 feet away I watched every head bow in silence at once, and they prayed for the loss of life so many years before, and yet so current in each of their lives. I had the camera in my hand and started to take a picture (my family owned a small photography company when I was younger and taking GOOD photos comes naturally--after so many years of practice) But as I raised the camera to my face, something was wrong, the viewfinder was all blurry, the guys were out of focus--much like the keyboard and screen i am looking at now are all blurry.

Tears were streaming down my face then, as they are now writing about it.

I didn't have the courage to intrude upon them then-- I wish I had, and I wish that I had said the two words that are said the least, and the two words that we need to say more often, especially to the members of our armed forces, "THANK YOU!"

After I gained my composure I did take just one picture of the group, and looking at it now, many hands are raised to their faces, just as mine were to mine.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/uze2a9a7.jpg

The WALL arrived, I shot a few photos of it, some of the bikes, and then I escorted the group, riding out slow and last-- with my emergency flashers on, slowing cars coming up from behind, and watching the miles of riders escort the Memorial Wall to Fort Smith.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/bare6u7u.jpg

I share this event and photos only as a means of saying thank you to each member of of our armed forces.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/ete6ynyq.jpg

Photos will be attached as soon as someone can tell me HOW to attach more than one at a time.

[IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/05/03/ama6udah.jpg[/IMG


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD


SEE POST NUMBER 3.

IF I KNEW HOW TO CUT AND PASTE, OR LINK... I WOULD.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED!

[Gerry24]

"Freedom isn't Free."
Thanks to our American Military Service People - Past and Present!

I've couldn't of said it better!!! :flag::flag::flag::cool5:

[sailsmen]

From Wiki;
Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.[5]
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.[1] The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May,[2] originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans — established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.[3] By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.[1] It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountain areas. In cases involving a family graveyard where remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with relatives and others. There often is a religious service and a picnic-like "dinner on the ground," the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the "memorial day" idea.[4]