Let's remember all those who made the supreme sacrifice. On this memorial day weekend take a minute to pause and say a silent prayer of thanks.
Also, thanks to all who have served and are presently serving.
May God bless.

What a wonderful post. He's right--although this is a weekend of BBQ's and fun, let's remember to pause and remember why we celebrate the holiday in the first place. Thanks, John.

Thank You!

I am the first in my family who hasn't been directly involved/impacted by military service. My mom attended 17 different schools because of WWII and family movement. I am thankful to have led a very stable life.

Thanks, John. I was just listening to a brief history of how Memorial Day Weekend evolved, and I do think it is one of the most important days of the year. We need to remember to teach our children the meaning of it as well.

I have had relatives in every American military battle, including the Revolutionary War. (I can hardly day that without that Lt Dan scene from Forrest Gump flashing through my mind.)
My husband retired from the Army after 22 years, just as his father before him. My son is currently in Afghanistan and has served 2 tours in Iraq - VOLUNTARILY! That is, he has offered to serve with other units heading out!
Last week I spent several hours at Arlington Cemetery thinking about the sacrifice.
Not only the sacrifice of those who elected to fight, but those who had no choice and fought, the families who lost soldiers and people caught in the crossfire.
Last night we watched Saving Private Ryan to remind ourselves of our fathers sacrifice. Then we watched the HBO special, Baghdad ER.
If you want to see how horrible things are in Iraq, watch this documentary.
We need to find a logical way to get our children out of that place.
We are a very Patriotic family.
Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by many...

Thank you John for starting this post. I can only add my gratitude to those who have and are serving are country.
God Bless.

John,

Agree with your post.

Sandy

Yes..Thank you to All Veterans!
And special thoughts to my Grandfather, Uncle and Father who served and died for their country.

Freedom is such a blessing and it isn't free.

Many heartfelt thanks to all our veterans and current service people. God bless you all!

It is hard to forget what Memorial Day is about when you have so many Harleys in your rear view mirror. I live just outside of D.C. and Rolling Thunder is here! I love it when it is Memorial Day and I hear those Harleys next to me at the stoplights and see them flying down the road, on their way into D.C. and the Wall from the hotels around where I live.

Every year it reminds me of my Dad, who served in WWII and Korea, and rode a big motorcycle (Ariel) w/a sidecar for fun. He would take off once a yr when I was little for two weeks w/one of his Army buddies. We never knew where they went, they just rode off, and he told me they just kept riding most of the week. They had a real bond that lasted til he died.

Here is a salute to everyone who has or is currently serving. God Bless You and your families.

And, thanks to my dad, who was an M.D., over 40 years old, with four children, volunteered during WWW11 and served as hospital chief of staff in Australia, New Guinea, Japan...also, his partner, a father of three and over 40 years of age, volunteered as a paratrooper. Surprisingly, they met up twice during the war and were discharged the same day and were met in Long Beach, CA. to be driven home to Phoenix, where they picked up their practices again.

At Mass last night, the priest read part of R. Reagan's speech from the 40th anniversary at D-Day and then asked all the Vets in attendance to please stand. It was hard to find a dry eye as at least 20 stood up. My dad is playing bagpipes for a Memorial Day service tomorrow. Thank you to all troops for your tremendous sacrifice.

Two years ago I was at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial day. It is an event that everyone should experience. Too many people take for granted the sacrfices made by our brave veterans and current military. I salute all of you.

Hello John, what a nice thread!

I have had family members serve in each and every war back to our Civil War (my greatgrandfather). And my late husbands family served going back to the American Revolution and every war after that.

I have a second cousin who was severly injured in Iraq autumn of 2004, but he refused to leave Iraq and so is still stationed there. And my stepchildren had a cousin killed during the same week. A very sad time.

I am for some reason feeling emotional this weekend, maybe because is not only Memorial Day but also my late father's birthday. When he came to the US from Australia he joined the US Army as a young man and was proud to do so. I found myself today thinking of him and my ancestors and relatives, all of them that served in the military. I hope and pray I expressed my gratitude to them for their sacrifices. But I am sure I didn't as much as I should have.

May I take this oppotunity to thank all the brave souls that have fought and sacrificed for our country. And also to their families that supported them and also made so many sacrifices .

Prayers and blessings to all

I went to see the Pete Seeger band and Bruce Sprigsteen play last night. When he sang "Bring 'Em Home" the lady next to me broke down sobbing, and later told me that her son is in Iraq. So many families are sacrificing too. My heart goes out to them.

ttt

Thank you veterans! With special thanks to my Dad (WWII veteran) and my father-in-law (Korean War).

My brother and I visited Normandy a couple of years ago. The area is largely unchanged from 1944. As we approached the area, I saw many homes flying four flags: French, American, British and Canadian. Some 60 years later, many have not forgotten. A moving experience for anyone, but to us because our father was there on June 6, 1944 – long before I was born. I stood in the American cemetery and proudly saluted, and I will do so at the parade today.

Thanks to all veterans, past and present.

desertduds, you need to write that into a screenplay.
What an amazing story!

Thanks to all veterans! My Grandfather WW1, Father 2 Aunts WW2. Uncle Korea, Husband Vietnam, Son in Law Persian Gulf. I always watch Saving Private Ryan just so I don't forget. And I made myself watch the ceremony at Arlington today and cried like a baby. And I agree with you TX travelpro...got to figure out a way out of that place ASAP.