Memorial Day [CBD and Jim from Galveston ]

[Reposted from 2015]

American Military Cemetery at Luxembourg. July 4th, 2010
Photo courtesy of Anna Puma

If ever proof were needed that we fought for a cause and not for conquest it could be found in these cemeteries. Here was our only conquest. All we asked...was enough...soil in which to bury our gallant dead
-- General Mark W. Clark.
Chairman, American Battle Monuments Commission

In August of 2008 I visited the memorial and cemetery at Omaha Beach. There are two ways (at least) to enter the grounds, and we chose to walk around the side rather than through the main entrance. There is a path that parallels the beach that is shielded from the rest of the memorial by trees and a hedgerow. So when I turned the corner I was suddenly confronted by the sight of the cemetery's long rows of grave markers, seemingly going on forever. They were immaculate, and framed by the blue sky and the verdant French countryside. It was, literally, breathtaking. And shockingly emotional.

These were men who fought for me...a generation before I was born. I can do nothing for them except to ensure that they will not be forgotten in my lifetime.

******
Everyone has their personal feelings about those who sacrificed for us....Here are the thoughts of Moron Jim (Sunk New Dawn, Galveston, TX)

For Love Of Country

And of our fellow man.

In the face of this electoral season's acrimony, it behooves us all as Americans to every now and then declare a truce, step back from the brink and to take stock of this awesome Nation of ours.

Of all of ours.

Be you Raving Liberal or Vast Right-Wing Conspirator, this time is not about you. Or about me.

It's About Them

It Is For The Fallen

Each year the soldiers of the Third United States Infantry Regiment ("The Old Guard") take part in the ceremony called "Flags In." Just before Memorial Day, each grave in Arlington National Cemetery is decorated with a small American flag.
The flags remain in place until the conclusion of the Memorial Day Weekend when they are all removed. It is the only time during the year when American flags are permitted at all gravesites in the Cemetery. The "Flags In" detail took place this year on Thursday, 27 May 2004.

Personally, I believe deeply that we lose something vital to our survival as a Nation when we forget the blood of patriots.

Words, symbols, heated rhetoric and clever argument all pale when measured against the brilliance of the white of marble, the emerald carpet of living grass borne over they who rest beneath, forevermore.

And the fields and fields of flags upon each, bearing quiet witness to the precious, eternal value of that sacrifice.

Dignity, honor, respect and a day of remembrance is all that they ask now of us.

Especially, remembrance.

So, this weekend, set aside if only for a day, thoughts of (D) or (R). Rail not against your fellow American, nor wish harm to him, his party or his creed.

Not on this day.

The men and women in those graves are no longer Democrats or Republicans. They are still and eternally though Americans, and are forevermore worthy of this day given but to them.

Honor the Day. Honor Them.

From their dark and silent graves, they give more honor to our Nation than any one politician, party or officeholder dares ever imagine.

Dignified beyond words, with nobility above the highest offices of government, these silent warriors speak loudly of what it is to be American.

They did not die for the Republicans. Nor for the Democrats, Greens or Libertarians.

Whether in combat, or fifty years later surrounded by only the memories of comrades long since passed, the men and women resting forever under those flags once marched proudly under that banner. They have earned nothing less than the unqualified respect of a grateful Nation, and her grateful people.

The last full measure of devotion is an awesome, terrible thing. Yet, magnificent; and it is upon the altar of their sacrafice that we enjoy the freedom of the greatest Nation in the history of the world.

Stand and salute, and remember them.

For our own sakes, and especially for theirs.

REMEMBER THEM!

Posted by: Open Blogger at 10:25 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Always remember

Posted by: Skip at May 30, 2016 10:22 AM (3wHFl)

2 to absent friends.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 10:23 AM (g8Hfr)

3 And remember, it is now legal for vets to salute the flag on holidays like Memorial Day when out of uniform.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 10:25 AM (vvmPQ)

4 Moving post and great photos.

I would not be here today if not for the sacrifice of American soldiers in WW II.

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 10:27 AM (7lVbc)

5 They gave up all their tomorrows, that we might live in Freedom today.

Posted by: Bossy Conservative...pondering the future at May 30, 2016 10:28 AM (+1T7c)

6 It was during a aerial desplay, but would like to remember Col Tommy Thompson 81st TFW assistant deputy commander for operations who crashed and died on July 7,1979 in England. I was on EOR duty that day.

Posted by: Skip at May 30, 2016 10:29 AM (3wHFl)

7
Off to play my small role in honoring the fallen.

That debt we can never repay I will gladly shoulder.

Posted by: irongrampa at May 30, 2016 10:29 AM (X35Yt)

8 Yes, they gave their lives so that Europe and the United States could remain free. Yet the politicians of today on both sides of the Atlantic are doing their damnedest to turn it to shit.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 10:31 AM (vvmPQ)

9 Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 10:25 AM (vvmPQ)

Did it not used to be legal? What were they supposed to do instead?

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at May 30, 2016 10:31 AM (GDulk)

10 9 Did it not used to be legal? What were they supposed to do instead?

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at May 30, 2016 10:31 AM (GDulk)

No it was not legal until a couple of years ago when Congress passed a new law (I linked it on a morning thread). Before that you were supposed to hold your arm and hand across your chest.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 10:33 AM (vvmPQ)

11 Honor them!

On Saturday, as a Memorial Day tribute, our Crossfit gym did a "named workout" called Murph, in honor of Lt. Murphy, who sacrificed himself trying to get aid to his men in A-stan - the story on which 'Lone Survivor' is based. This workout was a workout that Lt Murphy did daily - 1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 pushups, 300 squats and another 1 mile run.

It was an honor to complete the workout, though it nearly killed me - I'm 63.

BTW - Danny Dietz, also killed during that prolonged firefight, is from Littleton, CO, which rendered more meaning to the tribute.

Posted by: Mr Macca Bean at May 30, 2016 10:34 AM (4ng05)

12
I think I rather be buried at home than in foreign soil.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:35 AM (iQIUe)

13

Amen.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at May 30, 2016 10:35 AM (qCMvj)

14 Well said, Jim.

Posted by: rickl at May 30, 2016 10:36 AM (sdi6R)

15 Wars and rumors of war have fallen on my class at West Point since we have graduated, but we have thankfully only lost one to combat.

Today I will tip one up in his honor.

Posted by: blaster at May 30, 2016 10:38 AM (2Ocf1)

16
The brits continue to attempt to ID remains from WWI. When they do, they inter them with a military ceremony and the presence of any relatives they can locate.

I assume we do the same.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:38 AM (iQIUe)

17 Pope Francis on Sunday awarded medals to American actors Richard Gere and George Clooney and actress Salma Hayek at an event held at the Vatican to promote the work of a foundation inspired by the pontiff, Scholas Occurrentes.

-
Yeah, when I think piety, I think Richard Gere and George Clooney and Salma Hayek and, well, all of Hollywood really.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 10:39 AM (Nwg0u)

18

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at May 30, 2016 10:31 AM (GDulk)
just put their right hand over their heart

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 30, 2016 10:40 AM (0O7c5)

19

Remember and share with your family.
My flag's up.
Grill some burgers and weiners.
Make a cake for the kids (a la Betty Crocker).

Red, White and Blue Layered Flag Cake
http://bit.ly/1q9ukqE

Time to call my Dad.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at May 30, 2016 10:41 AM (qCMvj)

20 Pope Francis on Sunday awarded medals to American actors Richard Gere and George Clooney and actress Salma Hayek at an event held at the Vatican to promote the work of a foundation inspired by the pontiff, Scholas Occurrentes.

-
Yeah, when I think piety, I think Richard Gere and George Clooney and Salma Hayek and, well, all of Hollywood really.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 10:39 AM (Nwg0u)

I really don't like that guy.

Posted by: Mr Macca Bean at May 30, 2016 10:42 AM (4ng05)

21 @16 when they say we spend more than the next ten countries combined on defense things like that go in the mix. We have a dedicated organization for the identification and Reuter on remains. Places like North Korea don't spend on things like that.

Posted by: blaster at May 30, 2016 10:42 AM (2Ocf1)

22 thinking of my Dad today - gone 4 years now, died at 92 - WII bombadier, shot down over Germany and captured - spent some quality time in a POW camp - came home, went to work, and didn't look back! Thanks Dad!!

Posted by: geezer der mensch at May 30, 2016 10:42 AM (DE31Y)

23 17 Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 10:39 AM (Nwg0u)

The Church has come so far from dispensations and codified heresies.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 10:42 AM (g8Hfr)

24 Bruce with a Wang!, @12:

"I think I rather be buried at home than in foreign soil."

I think, other things equal, most of them would have preferred that too. But they went anyway.

Posted by: JPS at May 30, 2016 10:45 AM (9ziuC)

25 Wish I could be at our little town's Memorial Day ceremony today. But I have to bring a friend home from the hospital.

Thanks for this post.

Posted by: KT at May 30, 2016 10:46 AM (qahv/)

26
Howard Dean has had the internet wiped clean regarding his mis-conduct related to his brother Charles' burial. I suspect the brother may have been working for the CIA, however, I dont see where that entitles you to a military funeral. And I have difficulty believing they would ask someone with out any training, experience, or language skills to be an agent. Maybe, they just asked him to keep his eyes open. And who the hell goes sailing down the Mekong in the middle of a war?

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:47 AM (iQIUe)

27
Rain here today, so will discuss heading back north with Mrs. Krebs since doing work outdoors under these conditions doesn't sit well with me.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at May 30, 2016 10:48 AM (fOgSR)

28 thinking of my Dad today - gone 4 years now, died at 92 - WII bombadier, shot down over Germany and captured - spent some quality time in a POW camp - came home, went to work, and didn't look back! Thanks Dad!!
Posted by: geezer der mensch at May 30, 2016 10:42 AM (DE31Y)

Mingle my gratitude with yours.

Posted by: Mr Macca Bean at May 30, 2016 10:48 AM (4ng05)

29 I think we often forget to calculate in the cost, the real loss of all those men (and they were mostly men). How those of us who survived are worse for their not having grown into the men they would have been.

Not just here, but in Europe too, especially Europe, where the numbers stagger civilization, literally. We are changed because their lives ended. We are not who we were intended to be, because they were not here to affect us.

A decision here or there could have changed this world in ways we cannot imagine. We honor the dead, not just because of their sacrifice, but because of what we sacrificed, what we lost with them not here.

Maybe that sounds selfish, to view it that way, but I believe I'm also talking about their lives, and not just their deaths.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 10:49 AM (Dj0WE)

30 Bruce @ 18 - Yes, we do. The Defence POW/MIA Accounting Agency, www.dpaa.mil.

This Ain't Hell milblog regularly posts about the return of our fallen brothers.

Posted by: Butch at May 30, 2016 10:49 AM (hXu8T)

31 I think, other things equal, most of them would have preferred that too. But they went anyway.
Posted by: JPS at May 30, 2016 10:45 AM (9ziuC)
==========
Nice, but after killed, I rather my family bring me home, but of course, you knew what I meant.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:50 AM (iQIUe)

32 @17 how pluralistic of Frank. Richard Gere is a Buddhist. I'm sure he'd agree that Buddhists being enlightened are closer to the historical Jesus than conservative Christians/traditionalist Catholics.

/s

Posted by: Ecu maniacs at May 30, 2016 10:50 AM (eREm+)

33 Remember.
I remember my 4th grade teacher, Mr Ed Baca, going in about creep___ n crawling through France.He'd mention some names and now i recognize the meaning of how he'd pause when saying those names. Mr Zimmerly, my 10th grade geometry teacher, same thing, that pause when mentioning some names, but he'd go one about cruising the Mekong in PBRs. One of my namesakes, talking about freezing his ass off in Korea in 1951. He never mentioned names but paused a long time as he remembered "the boys". Fast forward 36 yrs later, i understand well that sensation those gentlemen felt remembering and saying those names.
G-d bless America, yo.

Posted by: fastfreefall at May 30, 2016 10:52 AM (0Vymq)

34 Howard Dean has had the internet wiped clean regarding his mis-conduct related to his brother Charles' burial.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:47 AM (iQIUe)

??? What are you referring to? I've never heard anything about this.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 30, 2016 10:53 AM (UHKOQ)

35 Thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.

Don't forget the families these heroes left behind.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at May 30, 2016 10:53 AM (39g3+)

36 Today, I am thinking of my grandpa, who was the only tattooed person I knew. He had a skull and crossbones on his arm between the scars with initials underneath. When my mother got married, he had a few and explained that those five initials were the ones who made it back from France (WWI). He developed emphysema from the gas, but WWI vets were ineligible for any benefits. Grandma went to work and he stayed home and raised the kids because he decided not to become a total invalid and move to a VA hospital which the government did allow by the 30s. I remember his bullet scars that he told us kids were from arrow wounds from the wild west. Still miss you, Grandpa, and have your Croix de Guerre.

Posted by: mustbequantum at May 30, 2016 10:56 AM (MIKMs)

37 Richard Gere is a Buddhist.

-
A hedonist Buddhist.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 10:56 AM (Nwg0u)

38
The Secret Deaths of CIA Operatives: A Fascinating History of Espionage (2000)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VoIKw3VIMs

============
Next book I want to read. The guy who was chased 1200 miles across china by the reds and killed interests me. He was 50 years from the Tibet border but they would not let him in.

Years ago after one of our embassy's was blown up I read about the dead. Their backgrounds did not match up with their job titles/duties. That's when I realized many were CIA. Or, how many clerk typists have a Harvard degree. Years later, I realized this was just a cheap ploy by the lovely MSM to expose them.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:56 AM (iQIUe)

39 Greetings:

Back in the summer of the last '68, I was doing my military service down in Texas, which, besides the Bronx, is the place I'd most like to be from. For several months, I was assigned to the base's funeral detail. We would provide pallbearers and a rifle squad for those requesting military funerals in the local area.

Military-wise, it wasn't bad duty. On the days when we weren't scheduled for a funeral, we would spend several hours practicing our "drill & ceremonies" and a couple more squaring away our uniforms and equipment. On funeral days, we would head out as early as necessary on a 44-passenger bus, often in civilian clothes or else fatigues with our first-class uniforms and equipment in tow. Often we would change into our duty uniforms at the funeral home, once in the casket display room, or on the bus itself.

It being Texas and the Viet Nam war being in full swing, we often had several funerals a week to perform. There was a certain spectrum from the World War graduates through the Viet Nam casualties. The former might involve a local veterans' group and an afterward BBQ or such. The latter were somewhat more emotionally raw as most of us were facing our own deployments in the near future.

Two funerals of the latter sort have stayed with me through the years. The first was of a young Private First Class who had been MIA for several months before his remains were recovered. I was on the pallbearer squad that day and when we went to lift the casket, it almost flew up in the air. There was so little of the young soldier left that we totally overestimated the weight we were lifting and almost looked decidedly unprofessional.

The other was that of a Negro Specialist 4th Class. I was in the rifle squad that day. In the rendering of military honors, there is a momentary pause between the end of the (21-gun) rifle salute and the beginning of the playing of "Taps". It is a moment of profound silence in most cases. During that moment, the young soldier's mother gave out a yowl from the depths of her grief that so startled me that I almost dropped the rifle out of my hands. That yowl echoes within me still.

I'll readily admit that, as a result of my experiences, I became much imbued with a sense of duty and respect to and for our fallen. Hopefully, today, when our media do their reporting they will show some of the same and let "Taps" be played out in its entirety. It would be nice for a change.

Posted by: 11B40 at May 30, 2016 10:58 AM (evgyj)

40
Why do we have anything to do with the russians when they are the ones who build and sell these IEDs that have killed so many of our soldiers?

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:58 AM (iQIUe)

41 knew a fellow who flew bombers over germany (during ww II). harrowing stories. what they don't tell you is all that separated him from the ether, the flak, the bullets and a few mile drop straight down was about 1/8 inch of metal. extraordinary valor...

Posted by: musical jolly chimp at May 30, 2016 10:59 AM (WTSFk)

42 .... 50 yards - not 50 years. smh

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:59 AM (iQIUe)

43 Greetings:

"Say a prayer for the common foot soldier
Spare a thought for his back breaking work
Spare a thought for his wife and his children
Who burn the fires and who still till the earth"

From "Salt of the Earth" by The Rolling Stones.

Posted by: 11B40 at May 30, 2016 11:00 AM (evgyj)

44 Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 10:56 AM (iQIUe)

I must make a note of that for my blog

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:00 AM (7lVbc)

45 Richard Gere is a Buddhist.

-------
A hedonist Buddhist.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 10:56 AM (Nwg0u)

Alas, the gerbils... not Buddhist.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:00 AM (Dj0WE)

46 I think Gere is a boutique Buddhist, he wants everyone to know he is, plus he doesn't really care to live that life, but he insists everyone else ought to.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at May 30, 2016 11:02 AM (39g3+)

47 Alas, the gerbils... not Buddhist.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:00 AM (Dj0WE)

We're mostly CoE these days.

Posted by: gerbils at May 30, 2016 11:04 AM (UHKOQ)

48
My uncle Harry is forever 28. Killed on Saipan July 1, 1944. For me, every day is Memorial Day.

And recognition to the men from the 11th Armored Division who gave their lives on the road to liberating Mauthausen.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 30, 2016 11:04 AM (p4UlV)

49
As we remember Memorial Day, please say a prayer for our troops in harms way in Iraq, Afghanastan, and now God forbid Syria, and Yemen.

Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:05 AM (zOTsN)

50 Bruce, #31:

"Nice, but after killed, I rather my family bring me home, but of course, you knew what I meant."

Sorry. Not trying to be a dick. I think I agree with you.

Posted by: JPS at May 30, 2016 11:05 AM (9ziuC)

51 I briefly heard on Breitbart last night that the remains of almost 30 WWII soldiers were found in Japan under the pavement of a parking lot that was being renovated. One of the remains has been positively identified through DNA and was shipped home and will be buried today with honors in Texas. I have not been able to find the story online....

Posted by: Jen the original at May 30, 2016 11:08 AM (Smc8E)

52 Amen, Jim.

Posted by: BamaBubba at May 30, 2016 11:10 AM (vKTRb)

53 Battle for Fallujah begins today

Again

Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:11 AM (zOTsN)

54 Never forgotten, always remembered.

My Uncle Bobby was a sailor on the USS Meredith (DD-434) sunk off Guadalcanal while running avgas to the Marine flyboys at Henderson. Over 30 planes from the Zuikaku struck them while they were escorting a barge and a tug. Out of 273 officers and men, 81 survived to be picked up. My Uncle, a machinist mate, did not. Always remember, Never forget.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at May 30, 2016 11:11 AM (ej1L0)

55 Richard Gere

http://preview.tinyurl.com/kba39qv

Internet article which talks about Gere's concern for AIDS victims and being responsible stewards of the planet and to treat all species with love and compassion. This would appeal to Pope Francis.

The reason why Pope Francis gave him an award is probably because Scholas Occurrences is concerned with the interaction of arts and technology and the media to make a more peaceful world. Hence, Gere who hangs out with the Dalai Lama

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 30, 2016 11:14 AM (rmw+9)

56 As a cradle Fathom c I think I'm allowed to say that I'm sick and tired of Pope Francis.
I still think Pope Benedict's abdication was a coup.

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:15 AM (7lVbc)

57 Fathom c = Catholic

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:16 AM (7lVbc)

58 Thanks for the condolences on the last thread for my mom. She is in hospice for lung cancer. Stone deaf from chemo but mind is still sharp. I type on my iPhone notepad and she answers verbally. To heck with Richard Gere, crazy Clooney and Stupid Sanders. I wouldn't trade this weekend for $1M.

Posted by: F.N.G at May 30, 2016 11:16 AM (zPzrV)

59 55 Fenlon Spoke,

Frankie likes him some heathen artists..

I look for Sheik Khalid Mohammed to get an award for Organizational Excellence soon.

Posted by: Sven10077 at May 30, 2016 11:17 AM (g8Hfr)

60 Sober, my grandfather - Pa - never talked about his service. I never even saw a photograph of him in uniform until after he died and we went through his photo albums.

Hell, I never knew he had a brother who was killed in action.

What I did know was that he was the most amazingly gentle yet hard person who ever lived. Going through his letters and things, I gained some real insight to help me understand why the man who, deep in his cups, would sit and sob, and who, so they say, never slept well after he got back, was known to everyone as being uniformly and even excessively polite, but with a hard edge - I'd seen it and heard about it - that made sure no wise man ever crossed him, and no one ever crossed him twice.

Saw the same thing in the Red Army vets of the GPW I got to know....just amazing to me that ANYONE got through that war alive and intact and more or less sane.

Patton was right, but like all wisdom, it, like the men who have earned it, is hard: "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived."

I'm not quite the man General Patton was, and so I cannot help mourning.

Posted by: Your Decidedly Devious Uncle Palpatine, Still Accepting Harem Applicants at May 30, 2016 11:17 AM (lutOX)

61 I always liked the theme from Sharpe, Over the Hills and Far Away diminished only slightly by its reference to George III and my knowledge that it celebrates the troops we fought in 1776 and 1812.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WOeYPpOblAw

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:18 AM (Nwg0u)

62
Knew a guy who served in the German Army during WW2. At 18, while invading Poland he fell from a truck and broke his leg. He was sent back and allowed to study medicine. He graduated just in time to be sent to the Battle of the Bulge. Every day he prayed for heavy cloud cover bc when it was gone, he knew the Americans would bomb the shit out of them, which indeed they did. He immigrated here in 1952.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 11:18 AM (iQIUe)

63 Fathom c = Catholic
Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:16 AM (7lVbc)

That was quite some autocorrect. I thought I was the Queen of autocorrect wierdness ;^)

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 30, 2016 11:19 AM (rmw+9)

64 I think the pope is a star ****er. Sorry. He is

Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:20 AM (zOTsN)

65 Fathom c is a code word for Crusader.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at May 30, 2016 11:20 AM (8ZskC)

66 The reason why Pope Francis gave him an award is probably because Scholas Occurrences is concerned with the interaction of arts and technology and the media to make a more peaceful world. Hence, Gere who hangs out with the Dalai Lama
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 30, 2016 11:14 AM (rmw+9)

Sure, good works and all that. There's always an excuse as to why we give awards to celebrities, rather than the thousands and millions of ordinary people doing the work every day. It has to do with raising awareness, and stuff.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with the Fresh Pope wanting to hang out with celebrities.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:20 AM (Dj0WE)

67 Posted by: F.N.G at May 30, 2016 11:16 AM (zPzrV)

It's a hard thing you are going through, but a blessing that you can be at your mother's side. (((Prayers)))

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:20 AM (7lVbc)

68
The World at War, Episode 26 "Remember"

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x125nd3_the-world-at-war-ep26-remember_shortfilms

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at May 30, 2016 11:22 AM (p4UlV)

69 Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:20 AM (Dj0WE

Probably a combination of both. I'm not saying I agree with it-just trying to suggest what I think the rationale would be.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 30, 2016 11:23 AM (rmw+9)

70 Frankie likes him some heathen artists..

I look for Sheik Khalid Mohammed to get an award for Organizational Excellence soon.
Posted by: Sven10077 at May 30, 2016 11:17 AM (g8Hfr)

I'm pretty sure Kim and Kanye have some good works they do. I would imagine a trip to the Vatican is in their near future.

Such NICE people, they are.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:23 AM (Dj0WE)

71 Chick Fil A in Alabama has two restaurants that have fallen soldier tables. They have covered them in white table cloth, placed a lemon and salt on the plate, symbolizing the bitter fate of a captive soldier and the tears of his family, a black napkin, a red rose in a vase, and a glass turned upside down to show a meal that will never be eaten.

On Fox News facebook page. Should go viral....

Posted by: Jen the original at May 30, 2016 11:23 AM (Smc8E)

72 Posted by: F.N.G at May 30, 2016 11:16 AM (zPzrV)

That's a blessing that you're still able to communicate with your mom.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 30, 2016 11:24 AM (rmw+9)

73 66 Burt TC,

Let's be fair prior to Richard Gere people did not know there was art *or* technology...

Why I bet the Pope's invite was delivered via carrier turtle.

Posted by: Sven10077 at May 30, 2016 11:24 AM (g8Hfr)

74 Battle for Fallujah begins today

Again
Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:11 AM (zOTsN)

Never pay for the same ground twice.

Somebody much smarter than anyone doing anything in D.C. said that.

Posted by: Mr Macca Bean at May 30, 2016 11:24 AM (4ng05)

75 Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:20 AM (Dj0WE

Probably a combination of both. I'm not saying I agree with it-just trying to suggest what I think the rationale would be.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 30, 2016 11:23 AM (rmw+9)

It would be nice if that were true. This Pope however, is increasingly appearing to be an agent of someone other than God. I think it would be accurate to say the Lord had little to do with this guy ascending to that particular throne.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:25 AM (Dj0WE)

76
I hate these phony celeb charities. They are for their own self aggrandizement. Save the lesbian whales! End World Hunger by Happy Thoughts. Even the Oxfam people have admitted after decades they have achieved little change in farming practices that would prevent/ease famines. Changes such as growing additional food to save or sell.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 11:26 AM (iQIUe)

77 That was quite some autocorrect. I thought I was the Queen of autocorrect wierdness ;^)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 30, 2016 11:19 AM (rmw+9)

Sometimes I think my kindle is possessed. Other times I'm sure of it.

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:26 AM (7lVbc)

78 Potus speaking

Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:28 AM (zOTsN)

79 If it were up to me, I'd ice the guy.

Posted by: Pope Alexander VI at May 30, 2016 11:28 AM (8ZskC)

80 Potus speaking

Apologizing to the Germans who manned the defenses at Normandy, I suppose.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at May 30, 2016 11:29 AM (8ZskC)

81 Let's be fair prior to Richard Gere people did not know there was art *or* technology...

Posted by: Sven10077 at May 30, 2016 11:24 AM (g8Hfr)

Art??? Believe me, you don't want to know about Richard Gere's "art".

Posted by: a gerbil at May 30, 2016 11:29 AM (UHKOQ)

82 It would be nice if that were true. This Pope however, is increasingly appearing to be an agent of someone other than God. I think it would be accurate to say the Lord had little to do with this guy ascending to that particular throne.
Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:25 AM (Dj0WE)

Yup...he is an embarrassment to me as a Catholic and as a conservative.

I think it's time we give him an award. Let's call it "Worst Commie Pope Ever" award. He ought to be ashamed of himself.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at May 30, 2016 11:30 AM (ej1L0)

83 Speaking of thrones, I don't know if it was casting genius, or incredible coincidence, but Jonathan Pryce as the High Sparrow on Game of Thrones bears a striking resemblance to the Fresh Pope.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:30 AM (Dj0WE)

84 Telling us how hard it is for him to sign the condolence letters

He does it with machine generated auto pen. He must think we forgot

Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:30 AM (zOTsN)

85 Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 11:18 AM (iQIUe)
***
One of Pa's good friends - a man I called 'uncle' and figured was a relative of my grandmother's (her people were from Germany) - was a WWII vet, wehrmacht. I learned they met on the battlefield, and Pa saved this man's life, and the lives of his men.

France. Pa was in a reconnaissance unit attached to the Third Army. Their job was to maintain contact with the rear of the German retreat, and they did, without getting too close. Tricky business, as the Germans, professional soldiers, knew to put mobile forces to the rear, to cover their withdrawal.

Well, Pa lost contact, and his driver sort of panicked and drove far too fast and ran right into an ambush just as it was getting set up. Their jeep stopped, and Pa saw a unit of panzergrenadiers, open for business.

Their officer - an oberst - sort of like a colonel, addressed Pa in English and told him to surrender himself and his men.

Pa told him, in German, that the Germans should surrender to him, instead. Heaviest weapon Pa's unit had was a .50 cal machine gun, mounted on the jeep. Germans had armored vehicles mounted with those nasty little cannons, and there were a lot more Germans there than Americans.

'You're running toward the Russians, toward death. Come with us, and you'll live to see your families.'

Oberst withdrew, talked with his men, and then handed pa his pistol, and they drove back in a convoy.

Posted by: Your Decidedly Devious Uncle Palpatine, Still Accepting Harem Applicants at May 30, 2016 11:30 AM (lutOX)

86 78 Thunder B,

Yup when I want words on duty and sacrifice General Manly Throw McMomjeans IVth hero of hole 19 is my Man.

Posted by: Sven10077 at May 30, 2016 11:30 AM (g8Hfr)

87 Save the lesbian whales!

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 11:26 AM (iQIUe)

You take that back!

Posted by: Rosie O'Donnell at May 30, 2016 11:32 AM (UHKOQ)

88 71
Chick Fil A in Alabama has two restaurants that have fallen soldier
tables. They have covered them in white table cloth, placed a lemon and
salt on the plate, symbolizing the bitter fate of a captive soldier and
the tears of his family, a black napkin, a red rose in a vase, and a
glass turned upside down to show a meal that will never be eaten.

On Fox News facebook page. Should go viral....

Posted by: Jen the original at May 30, 2016 11:23 AM (Smc8E)

I posted a link and story for that a couple of days ago. From the story there it appeared that every one of their restaurants in the country was doing this.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 11:32 AM (vvmPQ)

89 Wonderful post, Jim. Prayers and eternal gratitude to those who died defending our nation.

I visited the American Cemetery in Normandy last year and it is indeed breathtaking. Unfortunately, the ABMC website now states that access from the beach to the cemetery is no longer available due to "security concerns." No elaboration on the reasons, but I can think of a few. It is sad that our war dead can't rest in peace and safety.

Posted by: Hoplite Housewife at May 30, 2016 11:32 AM (zKO9B)

90 One more bright side if Trump becomes POTUS is that Pope Frank has already burned his bridges with him and Trumpus never forgets a slight.

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:32 AM (7lVbc)

91 Ok, so yeah. Apparently that's a thing. And idiot actor celeb that he is, Pryce doesn't realize his character is evil.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:33 AM (Dj0WE)

92

Talking about Charles Keating Jr

Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:34 AM (zOTsN)

93 85 Now that's a war story.

Posted by: Weasel at May 30, 2016 11:34 AM (e3bId)

94 Telling us how hard it is for him to sign the condolence letters

He does it with machine generated auto pen. He must think we forgot
Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:30 AM (zOTsN)

Don't be mean. He's trying to tell us how hard this is. For HIM! Don't you realize what a sacrifice he is making? All those golf courses he could be on, but no. He's here.

Hasn't this man suffered enough?

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:35 AM (Dj0WE)

95 And ESPN appears to straighten us out.

Howard Bryant, the moral authority columnist for ESPN, has found more systemic racism, something he is ever on the lookout for, even if it isn't there. His latest article, "The Unspoken Truth" is about the plague now besetting our nation - police officers singing the National Anthem before games.

His acrimonious invective is not simply reserved for police - it's military too - and Republicans.

Police are "authoritarian" racists infecting ballparks with "staged patriotism". He also brought up Ferguson where the discredited "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" was born of a false narrative.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:35 AM (Nwg0u)

96 90 One more bright side if Trump becomes POTUS is that Pope Frank has already burned his bridges with him and Trumpus never forgets a slight.

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:32 AM (7lVb

If President Trump ever meets Pope Francis, I hope he grabs him by the ears and gives him a head butt.

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 30, 2016 11:36 AM (UHKOQ)

97 93 85 Now that's a war story.
Posted by: Weasel at May 30, 2016 11:34 AM (e3bId)
***
Heard it from the oberst himself, when I got old enough to wonder who he was, and brave enough to ask. Probably Pas' best friend, too.

Posted by: Your Decidedly Devious Uncle Palpatine, Still Accepting Harem Applicants at May 30, 2016 11:36 AM (lutOX)

98 Posted by: Your Decidedly Devious Uncle Palpatine, Still Accepting Harem Applicants at May 30, 2016 11:30 AM (lutOX)

Holy cow, what a great story!

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:37 AM (7lVbc)

99 88
I posted a link and story for that a couple of days ago. From the story there it appeared that every one of their restaurants in the country was doing this.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 11:32 AM (vvmPQ)

That's nice. I frequently get breakfast there on my way to work, but I use the drive-through so I didn't see it.

Posted by: rickl at May 30, 2016 11:37 AM (sdi6R)

100 93 85 Now that's a war story.
Posted by: Weasel at May 30, 2016 11:34 AM (e3bId)
***
I imagine there was a lot of that toward the end.

Everybody knew the jig was up, and personal survival became paramount.

Posted by: Your Decidedly Devious Uncle Palpatine, Still Accepting Harem Applicants at May 30, 2016 11:37 AM (lutOX)

101 Happily, the souls of the dead are not trapped in the graves with the remains of the mortal coil.

They are citizens of Heaven.

Posted by: Grampa Jimbo at May 30, 2016 11:38 AM (1ijHg)

102 99 That's nice. I frequently get breakfast there on my way to work, but I use the drive-through so I didn't see it.

Posted by: rickl at May 30, 2016 11:37 AM (sdi6R)

I wish we had one here. I would have gone by and got something and commented on it.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 11:38 AM (vvmPQ)

103 95 And ESPN appears to straighten us out.
Howard Bryant, the moral authority columnist for ESPN, has found more systemic racism...

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:35 AM (Nwg0u)

So riddle me this, why is it that all sportswriters seem to be left-wing shit-weasels? Is Keith Olbermann their god or something?

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 30, 2016 11:39 AM (UHKOQ)

104 97 Amazing. Its nice to hear about acts of humanity during a war. Great story.

Posted by: Weasel at May 30, 2016 11:40 AM (e3bId)

105 103 So riddle me this, why is it that all sportswriters
seem to be left-wing shit-weasels? Is Keith Olbermann their god or
something?

Posted by: OregonMuse at May 30, 2016 11:39 AM (UHKOQ)

The all went to journaljism school.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 11:40 AM (vvmPQ)

106 I will honor our fallen heroes by doing all I can to preserve the Liberty they fought to protect.

May God make us worthy of their sacrifice.

Posted by: Emmie at May 30, 2016 11:40 AM (xVuS6)

107 Random personal political observation:

Since the end of WWII, the world (mainly the west) in their wisdom, has tried to sanitize war to minimize destruction and civilian deaths - collateral damage they've termed it.

Completely intuitively, what they have accomplished has been to bring us nearly perpetual war.

In the first Star Trek series, contrary to their intentions, I'm sure, there was an episode where two warring planets attempted to do the same thing, with exactly the same results. Kirk destroyed their disintegration chambers, giving them a choice between peace and destruction.

We - the world - should have picked up on Kirk's message. War must needs be brutal and destructive, or it becomes too easy to wage - at least until global conflagration becomes the only remaining alternative.

Posted by: Mr Macca Bean at May 30, 2016 11:40 AM (4ng05)

108 Potus speaking

I apologize for all these crosses. Ruined what could have been a great fairway...

Posted by: Barack Obama at May 30, 2016 11:41 AM (ZxmMG)

109 105 Hey! Cool it with the weasel talk!

Posted by: Weasel at May 30, 2016 11:41 AM (e3bId)

110 Normally I lurk, but I will brave the comments to relate a story. I was dating a girl whose paternal grandfather served with the 101st during WW2. Her maternal grandfather was Wehrmacht. She knew my interest in WW2 history and told me to never bring it up. Well, me being me, one family gathering I mentioned to them how during the war they might have been shooting at each other. My then girlfriend was aghast, but the grandfathers started talking about it, and they discovered they had fought in 5 battles at the same time. It turned out to be a very interesting dinner.

Posted by: TXBill at May 30, 2016 11:41 AM (0T8eM)

111 I hope it's all right that I post these links here.

A few of the Memorial Day items from my newsfeeds:

---♥---

What Memorial Day is About
Mark Tapson - TruthRevolt
http://bit.ly/1OYeyaL

---♥---

On This Memorial Day, My Favorite Military Tribute Video
War News Update
http://bit.ly/1XZHNkN
(Requires Flash, which I don't allow on my computer, so here's the YouTube address

https://youtu.be/ervaMPt4Ha0

---♥---

Memorial Day 2016
Dapandico, Weasel Zippers
http://bit.ly/1X8AyZ1
Rides a Pale Horse Video link
https://vimeo.com/166883808

---♥---

Remembering Our Military At American Battle Monuments Around The World
Nickarama, Weasel Zippers
http://bit.ly/1UoNcPf

---♥---

Branco Cartoon - Thank You
A.F. Branco, Legal Insurrection
http://bit.ly/1Vqpg0n

---♥---

Visiting Omaha Beach
Kemberlee Kaye, Legal Insurrection
http://bit.ly/1RFLhkX

---♥---

Some gave all
Dianny, Patriot Retort
http://bit.ly/1Ue3SpV

---♥---

Memorial Day 2016
Bookworm
http://bit.ly/1sH6c2c

---♥---

Remember
J.J. Sefton, Cut Jib Newsletter
http://bit.ly/1sXf7xl

---♥---

MEMORIAL DAY: Freedom - We Must Be Vigilant In Its Preservation
Carolyn Alder, Noisy Room
http://bit.ly/1THlP0w

---♥---

Memorial Day 2016
Michelle Obama's Mirror
http://bit.ly/25wfos3

---♥---

The Forever Young Who So Willingly Paid The Price Of Our Freedom
Curmudgeon, Political Clown Parade
http://bit.ly/1TRu3Wc

---♥---

Picture Of The Day (Arlington Flags-In)
War News Updates
http://bit.ly/1Vprv3U

---♥---

'These Hallowed Grounds' Reminds Us of the Many Americans Buried in U.S. Military Cemeteries Across the World
Warner Todd Huston, Breitbart
http://bit.ly/1sn85kR

Posted by: mindful webworker at May 30, 2016 11:41 AM (XtR0g)

112 So riddle me this, why is it that all sportswriters seem to be left-wing shit-weasels? Is Keith Olbermann their god or something?
Posted by: OregonMuse at May 30, 2016 11:39 AM (UHKOQ)

Media Industrial Complex. It's a thing.

I hate to say it too, I just sorta assume every female who breaks into the sports media biz has to get on her knees to do so.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:42 AM (Dj0WE)

113 He is really the worst POTUS. He isn't fit to shine their shoes. I remember Benghazi

Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 11:42 AM (zOTsN)

114 107 We - the world - should have picked up on Kirk's
message. War must needs be brutal and destructive, or it becomes too
easy to wage - at least until global conflagration becomes the only
remaining alternative.

Posted by: Mr Macca Bean at May 30, 2016 11:40 AM (4ng05)

It is well that war is so terrible otherwise we would grow too fond of it.

Robert E. Lee - 1862

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 11:43 AM (vvmPQ)

115 @111

Memorialday.org is also a great site, privately run.

Posted by: @votermom at May 30, 2016 11:43 AM (7lVbc)

116 104 97 Amazing. Its nice to hear about acts of humanity during a war. Great story.
Posted by: Weasel at May 30, 2016 11:40 AM (e3bId)
***
The Red Army vets I knew didn't have any stories like that.... dark and bleak and terrible, what they saw, did, and suffered, and all described rather matter of factly.

Posted by: Your Decidedly Devious Uncle Palpatine, Still Accepting Harem Applicants at May 30, 2016 11:43 AM (lutOX)

117 From "Salt of the Earth" by The Rolling Stones.

Posted by: 11B40

Nice. I don't mean to distract from the sacred remembrances, but that's one of my favorite, if overlooked, songs.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 30, 2016 11:44 AM (1xUj/)

118 116 Yep. Which make stories like yours all the more special.

Posted by: Weasel at May 30, 2016 11:45 AM (e3bId)

119 Robert E. Lee - 1862
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 11:43 AM (vvmPQ)

Was he original ST, or TNG?

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:45 AM (Dj0WE)

120 Posted by: TXBill at May 30, 2016 11:41 AM (0T8eM)
***
I bet that was really something, a far-too-rare glimpse into another world.

Posted by: Your Decidedly Devious Uncle Palpatine, Still Accepting Harem Applicants at May 30, 2016 11:46 AM (lutOX)

121 There is a hat.... a hat I only wear on 1 day a year....

A hat I literally cannot even look at the rest of the year...

Many of us who served in the Navy keep ballcaps from their various commands as mementos. We pull them out and wear them to both tell others, and remind ourselves, of what we were doing back then.

This hat is from LPH-2, the USS Iwo Jima. Its the hat I had on when on Oct. 23, 1983, an Iranian National, driving a suicide truck designed in Iran, drove into the basement of the Marine Barracks in Beirut Lebanon and Killed 241 Americans...

I only wear it on Memorial Day, to put up my Flag.. and Salute it... to honor those who, while not part of my Ship's company, were certainly Shipmates.

But there is also a reason I cannot even bear to look at it the rest of the year. Just to look at that hat, brings on tremendous feelings of frustration, and anger.... not at our Enemies... but at our own Government who now treats those same enemies better than historic friends.

I've sure Viet Nam Veterans have the same types of feelings when they see the same country who broke a treaty with us 40 years ago and invaded South Viet Nam, as part of the Trans Pacific Free Trade Pact.

And I know Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq wonder why their hard fought victories on the battlefield, are squandered by Politicians in Washington.

Want to Honor those who have given their full measure for YOUR safety and Freedom?

Make sure that you do your part, here in America, to ensure those Military Victories, are not turned into Defeat, at the whims of Politicians who never served.

Posted by: Don Quixote, aka BB Wolf, aka Romeo13 at May 30, 2016 11:46 AM (qf6WZ)

122 119 Was he original ST, or TNG?

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:45 AM (Dj0WE)

?????

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 11:48 AM (vvmPQ)

123 Cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate you putting up this post. The meaning of this day was getting lost in the shuffle and this brings it home so, so well.

I plan to visit the grave of a Marine friend of mine who died a few years ago (not in combat, but while flying another serviceman to his family). It is the least I can do.

I feel incredibly humbled and grateful beyond what I am really capable of articulating. What a great tribute this post is, and thank you again, co-bloggers.

Posted by: RM at May 30, 2016 11:49 AM (U3LtS)

124 Was he original ST, or TNG?

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:45 AM (Dj0WE)

?????

-
Joke. Burt was pretending he didn't know who Lee and figured he must have been a character on the original Star Trek or The Next Generation.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:51 AM (Nwg0u)

125 Grandma was an army brat and only told a few stories of growing up in the army. First, the army really did transport by covered wagons (she was born in South Dakota and getting her a passport was a hoot, even in the 70s). Second, her clearest memories were shipping out to Hawaii, and the saddlers made harnesses for the younger kids so that they could play on deck. She made it back to Hawaii before she died to visit the Pearl Harbor memorial. Of her four brothers, two died in WWII (one at Pearl Harbor and one at Wake).

Posted by: mustbequantum at May 30, 2016 11:52 AM (MIKMs)

126 124 Joke. Burt was pretending he didn't know who Lee and
figured he must have been a character on the original Star Trek or The
Next Generation.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:51 AM (Nwg0u)

I must be slow today.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 11:53 AM (vvmPQ)

127 39---Posted by: 11B40 at May 30, 2016 10:58 AM (evgyj)
--------------------
What an honor for you to serve on funeral detail.
What a supreme honor.

And, on behalf of all of us who have gone through the military funeral of a loved one, thank you.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at May 30, 2016 11:53 AM (T/5A0)

128 I'm sure Vic knows but Lee said that to Stonewall Jackson as they gazed over the field of Union dead ar Fredericksburg.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:55 AM (Nwg0u)

129 Look a UFO near Wright-Patt...

I grew up at Wright-Patt it is a kite.

We don't really have aliens in Hangar 13, we were the test bed for the Stealth Project and consequently we always had weird shit flying around at night...

Messing with each other and with outsiders was kind of the County National Sport....

it's a Kite.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 11:57 AM (g8Hfr)

130 I'm sure Vic knows but Lee said that to Stonewall Jackson as they gazed over the field of Union dead ar Fredericksburg.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:55 AM (Nwg0u)

I am certain Lee was an honorable man, and it must have infuriated him that day, the sheer stupidity of Union Generals during that battle.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:57 AM (Dj0WE)

131 128 Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:55 AM (Nwg0u)

Vic was said to have asked General lee...."war? surely you mean Pizza sir..."

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 11:58 AM (g8Hfr)

132 Jim:
Going to the Elks Lodge today for Memorial Day services?

Posted by: Lenny at May 30, 2016 11:59 AM (9Pzc1)

133 128
I'm sure Vic knows but Lee said that to Stonewall Jackson as they gazed over the field of Union dead ar Fredericksburg.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:55 AM (Nwg0u)

The shear numbers of people killed in those battles was horrific. It was the first war in the world fought with modern weapons using old tactics of massed in line charges and firing. Tactics that were designed to overcome the inaccuracy of the old muskets with massed fire being used with "modern rifles" and grape shot.

By the end of the war most generals had learned better.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 12:00 PM (vvmPQ)

134 Where is ace today?Do Ewoks go to the beach?

Posted by: steevy at May 30, 2016 12:00 PM (B48dK)

135 130 Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:57 AM (Dj0WE)

Perhaps, of course the cult of the Marble Man said he uttered something profound when he took his morning constitutional let alone gazed on the battlefield.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:00 PM (g8Hfr)

136 133 Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 12:00 PM (vvmPQ)

One could argue the Crimea was "the first" but there was still a lot of muskets involved there, and no repeaters so far as I know.

Your point is a good one though because a smart general would have seen the birthing cries of the World War One trench conundrum in the latter parts of the ACW.

It was all there to see, and still the Professional Military insisted on dismissing it.

"Just an American phenomena that trench stuff old boy!"

"Hippotrain Cavalry coupled with the modern rifle will ensure any war is short and an exercise in maneuver."

Idiots.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:03 PM (g8Hfr)

137 128 I'm sure Vic knows but Lee said that to Stonewall Jackson as they gazed over the field of Union dead at Fredericksburg.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:55 AM (Nwg0u)
----------------------
Correction: "as they gazed over the field of the Confederate and Union dead..."

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at May 30, 2016 12:04 PM (T/5A0)

138 Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 11:57 AM (Dj0WE)

Perhaps, of course the cult of the Marble Man said he uttered something profound when he took his morning constitutional let alone gazed on the battlefield.
Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:00 PM (g8Hfr)

There is a reason Lee is revered. He earned it. Was he perfect? Of course not. And yes, I think the writers of profound phrases often colored them up, but Lee was significantly smarter, and more patriotic, than any number of the victors, and had better sense of what should come next than almost anyone.

It's a real shame he died as young as he did. The nation would have been much better off, had he lived longer.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 12:05 PM (Dj0WE)

139 137 Posted by: Margarita DeVille at May 30, 2016 12:04 PM (T/5A0)

"It is well this coffee is so terrible, lest I grow too fond of it suh!"

//General Robert E Lee

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:05 PM (g8Hfr)

140 I'm sure Vic knows but Lee said that to Stonewall Jackson as they gazed over the field of Union dead at Fredericksburg.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 11:55 AM (Nwg0u)
----------------------
Correction: "as they gazed over the field of the Confederate and Union dead..."

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at May 30, 2016 12:04 PM (T/5A0)

But mostly Union.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 12:06 PM (Dj0WE)

141 From a letter my uncle wrote home in March, 1944. Platoon commander in the 116th Regt, 29th Div. He survived D-Day, KIA June 14th, buried in the Normandy cemetery:
"Soon ... I do not know how soon ... I shall have to demonstrate not only how much or how well I have learned the art of killing, but how well I have taught that abominable art to others.

I know what's ahead. It won't be another pleasure trip, but though it may cost me my life, I wouldn't want to miss it!

Should I be among the many who inevitably must fall, remember that I didn't go without realizing the possibility that I might lose my life. Remember, too, that I give my life willingly, that I do so out of love for my country and all its people ... even the traitors and selfish slackers.

If I should die on the battlefield, I beg you to leave my body there. Some day our government may provide you the opportunity to visit my grave. If so, avail yourself of that opportunity."

Posted by: exhelodrvr at May 30, 2016 12:06 PM (Rug2j)

142 Posted by: Margarita DeVille at May 30, 2016 12:04 PM (T/5A0)

"It is well this coffee is so terrible, lest I grow too fond of it suh!"

//General Robert E Lee
Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:05 PM (g8Hfr)

Uh oh, I sense the longbows being strung, as we speak.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 12:07 PM (Dj0WE)

143 138 Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 12:05 PM (Dj0WE)

I respect Lee the man, not so certain about Lee the mobile statue.

He made it to 63, so did US Grant.

63 was a live well lived then.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:07 PM (g8Hfr)

144 Absent comrades.

Posted by: Sixkiller at May 30, 2016 12:07 PM (pcyHg)

145 Is Folds of Honor a worthwhile organization to donate to?

Posted by: Barb the Evil Genius at May 30, 2016 12:08 PM (FQKBL)

146 It was all there to see, and still the Professional Military insisted on dismissing it.

This is why nearly everything about WWI pisses me off.

Everyone had observers at our Civil War and also at the Japanese-Russian war of 1905. Everyone saw how industrialized war changed everything.

Nobody took account of that in their tactics.

Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 30, 2016 12:08 PM (1xUj/)

147 Getting ready for house guests to arrive. Was watching "Patton" and couldn't help but wonder what he'd think about the Pajama Boys and other Special Snowflakes who surround us.

I visited Normandy as a child, and still remember all those rows of crosses.

Just looking at pictures of the place makes me cry.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 30, 2016 12:08 PM (1ZOkK)

148 I used to be disgusted, as the singer said.

Today we honor our nation's fallen, and I include wounded and mentally scarred in that tally. It is right to do so. Those of us who are serious about life hold these men up with gratitude.

Liberals, including many RINO's, hold them up with faux gratitude, waiting for the moment in time when they can let their true contempt pour out - much like they have waited for the other social taboos to melt. This one will melt, too, given the path we are on.

And with it, the Republic. We cannot sustain a Republic that hates itself, even if it claims to love itself. Narcissim and self-respect are not the same thing.

That day is coming, and we are doing the best we can to grease the skids - often with the blood of those who choose to Serve.

There is not a single American who should bleed in Afghanistan today. Not one. There is simply no reason for it. Yes, to fight and even die to save comrades is as noble a cause as exists, but the point is: the comrades should not be there.

We should not be in Iraq, we should not be in North Korea, we should not be in Afghanistan, we should not be in Germany or Japan.

We revere George Washington even as we ignore him.

We should be a country of people who want to be here - as US Citizens. Not as People Who Want to Make A Buck. We should control and defend our borders - and screw the others.

Should we protect shipping? Our shipping, yes. That's what a Navy is for.

Should we protect territory? Our territory, yes. That's what an Army is for.

USMC, USAF, Coast Guard - all critical, all valuable, all noble.

And all largely squandered by corrupt and incompetent politicians who will send them places without thinking.

Americans will stand next to those who treasure true freedom. The South Koreans did, and I am proud of our actions there - but why are we still there?

The South Vietnamese did not... so why, again, were we there? To "show the Soviets that we could bleed?" To secure oil or other industrial treasures?

We've killed Hussein; we've killed Bin Laden - what on earth are we doing there, now?

No 22 year old US Citizen should die in Afghanistan. No 23 year old US Citizen should be in combat in Iraq.

They don't like us, so why are we bleeding for them?

I'm tired of it. I sit with my combat-veteran friends and I see the emotional hell they go through, and it always boils down to the same thing: they were there because their buddies were there, and they fought to protect and save their buddies.

They might have liked some of the locals, but they never trusted them. Hollywood might want you to believe otherwise, but I've never heard anyone say it for-real.

They can shove their purple "I voted" fingers up their nose - if it's important enough to show off, it's important enough to fight for.

So fight, and leave my people out of it.

Or be subjugated - but leave my people out of it.

Set one foot on US Soil and we'll come down upon you like the true Wrath of God Almighty - but on your land?

I don't give a shit. I truly do not.

Posted by: RobM1981 at May 30, 2016 12:09 PM (VVBN7)

149 S. Korea... no editing once you post...

Posted by: RobM1981 at May 30, 2016 12:10 PM (VVBN7)

150 Posted by: 11B40 at May 30, 2016 10:58 AM (evgyj)

Thanks for sharing those very moving memories.

Posted by: Sixkiller at May 30, 2016 12:10 PM (pcyHg)

151 146 Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 30, 2016 12:08 PM (1xUj/)

The Prussians applied it best even if they too tried ignoring it.

They really didn't NEED to attack Belgium the counter-punch to Plan XVII would have gotten them just as far and prevented the UK from having the excuse they needed/wanted to go to war.

It is funny, sad, and terrifying that the various career fields in the force all cut deals with their vanity to ignore the lessons.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:10 PM (g8Hfr)

152 Our son is working part time for a new military museum in Savannah. He's giving tours today. If any morons are ever in the area, check out the Webb Military Museum. If you're lucky, my son might be available (if not in classes or at another of his part time jobs) to give you a tour, which takes you to sixteen spots in and around the city.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 30, 2016 12:11 PM (1ZOkK)

153 137 Correction: "as they gazed over the field of the Confederate and Union dead..."

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at May 30, 2016 12:04 PM (T/5A0)

They were gazing over mainly the union dead. Burnside was still using those insane massed frontal charges against entrenched confederate troops. The union dead at that battle was horrendous.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 12:12 PM (vvmPQ)

154 I finally made it to the wall last fall. I have two buddies on it. Charlie, my roommate in school, was KIA. Stringer, the other, is still unaccounted for but presumed dead. Amazingly I found them both within a yard of one another, although on different panels. I'll tip one or two in their honor tonight.

Posted by: Javems at May 30, 2016 12:12 PM (yOqwj)

155 I think the writers of profound phrases often colored them

-
Like, "Beam me up, Scotty."

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 12:13 PM (Nwg0u)

156 I respect Lee the man, not so certain about Lee the mobile statue.

He made it to 63, so did US Grant.

63 was a live well lived then.
Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:07 PM (g8Hfr)

Sure, the years are not really what I am talking about. He died from a stroke, which even today, is just sort of a thing that hits out of nowhere. He was otherwise a reasonably healthy man.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 12:13 PM (Dj0WE)

157 Just found my uncle's marker on the Arlington website. Did not know they had images of every marker online.

Remembering Roger Grant, Captain and Chaplain, USAF. Died Jun 2, 1982.

He died of natural causes, but on duty at the time, so Arlington admitted him. I'm not entirely sure he would have made that decision himself, but his family was appreciative.

Posted by: TexasDan at May 30, 2016 12:13 PM (M0ddJ)

158 nood

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 12:15 PM (vvmPQ)

159 Visited Arlington in October while in DC for a wedding.

It was a glorious, sunny day. Watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb, which was so incredibly moving.

Anyhow, purchased a red poppy as we got off the van from our tour, which I'm wearing today.

So proud of my late grandfather, who I never got to meet, who was a WWI vet, my WWII vet dad, and our Afghanistan War vet son.

Semper Fi.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at May 30, 2016 12:16 PM (1ZOkK)

160 This is why nearly everything about WWI pisses me off.

Everyone had observers at our Civil War and also at the Japanese-Russian war of 1905. Everyone saw how industrialized war changed everything.

Nobody took account of that in their tactics.
Posted by: Bandersnatch at May 30, 2016 12:08 PM (1xUj/)

Not nobody. The Germans had a brilliant plan, and it was working. Too bad for them, the guy who designed it wasn't around to execute it, and the ones who were liked the old ways.

Posted by: BurtTC at May 30, 2016 12:16 PM (Dj0WE)

161 My Dad was KIA in Korea, I never knew him.
My Father in law, who passed in 2002, was AF and radio operator in B17s over Germany in the closing days of WWII. Lucky to have lived through that.
Back around 1998 we visited him in his home in Cedar Falls Iowa. There was an (mostly static) air show in Waterloo that I wanted to see, it included a B17. So, my FIL (Dick) had just gotten back from his morning golf game, and was sitting in the Lazyboy reading the paper. I suggested we go see the show. The conversation went something like this.
"Dick, let's go to Waterloo, I want to see the B17. I'll pay admission."
Hell, no. I never want to see one of those g-d things for the rest of my life."
"OK, can I borrow your car? I will go alone."
(I may as well have asked to borrow a kidney, if you knew my FIL).
"Hell, no"
"OK, call me a cab, I will go alone".
Well, that tore it, FIL Dick could not bear to see me pay a cabbie. So he relented and off we went to Waterloo.
I paid the admission for us, and as we approached the aircraft, Dick had a sudden change of constitution. He kind of froze up a bit, wiped a tear away.
Then, he was like a little kid again. We climbed aboard the B17, and Dick started talking his head off about his experiences. Showed me where he used to sit, how everything worked, how he had to kick some bombs out the open bay doors when the damn things got jammed up. How he watched his fellows get shot out of the sky and waited for parachutes.
Radio operators never fired a shot, they were pretty much along for the ride. Must have been terrifying.
Anyway, Dick felt that the visit was somewhat cathartic.
I was forever grateful that he went with me that day.
He died a few years later.
Here's to you, Richard Addington of Cedar Falls, Iowa, AF Radio and Transportation officer, WWII bombing campaign.

Posted by: navybrat at May 30, 2016 12:24 PM (w7KSn)

162 The union dead at that battle was horrendous.

-
The commander was Ambrose Burnside who had twice refused command offered by Lincoln on the grounds that he knew he was not qualified. He presided over three great catastrophes. At Antietam he repeatedly assaulted a narrow bridge in an attempt to force a crossing when unbeknownst to him a ford was available that would have been far less costly. (Ever since, that bridge has been known as Burnside Bridge." Then came Fredericksburg. Finally, at Petersburg he commanded the Battle of the Crater. The Union blew a huge hole in the Confederate lines with a mine (as depicted in the movie Cold Mountain). Union troops, largely black and not specially trained, jumped into the crater and couldn't climb out. The Confederates shot them down.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks at May 30, 2016 12:26 PM (Nwg0u)

163 I had the opportunity to visit the Okinawa Peace Memorial Park, and it was a sobering experience. It's on the site of the Japanese military headquarters, and they have walls listing the 240,000 dead, both Japanese and Americans. I've spoken before of Okinawa essentially being trapped between two armies, and the memorial really drove that home. It also was a reminder of the way the Okinawans respected the Americans that treated them better than the Japanese and died in the fight for freedom.

Posted by: pookysgirl at May 30, 2016 12:27 PM (K27gs)

164 Police came back to the scene of the deadly mass shooting in west Houston today to collect evidence after our abc13 Eyewitness News team discovered personal papers, documents, bullets and a military bag.

Our team brought that evidence to a police officer's attention and it was taken away.

However, before that happened, our cameras capture video of it. You can see it in the video player above.

Police believe the items were left behind from one of the cars that were detonated at the scene.

Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 12:36 PM (zOTsN)

165 164 Posted by: ThunderB at May 30, 2016 12:36 PM (zOTsN)

It's good to know that HPD has learned from the DoJ never release info that undermines your narrative.

If there's a valid reason to sit on the perp's id I am dying to know it.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:38 PM (g8Hfr)

166 165 If there's a valid reason to sit on the perp's id I am dying to know it.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:38 PM (g8Hfr)

As I said this morning, they may still be trying to locate his next of kin.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 12:49 PM (vvmPQ)

167 166 Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at May 30, 2016 12:49 PM (vvmPQ)

The local rumor mill in Houston' analysis says it is south of el border.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 12:51 PM (g8Hfr)

168
They have not released the name of the American who firebombed the french cops. I really dont understand weenie law.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 12:59 PM (iQIUe)

169 168 Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 12:59 PM (iQIUe)

Don't try to understand it.

In Scandinavia "prison" is better than a Motel 6 mon ami.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 01:00 PM (g8Hfr)

170 So so many. Gratitude can never be repaid in full.
And still giving all to this day.

Posted by: subhuman taxpayer at May 30, 2016 01:01 PM (LiHl/)

171
This is pretty bad:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL1O4pUYJ2w

I have no doubt this sort of crap will be coming here soon.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 01:03 PM (iQIUe)

172 171 Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at May 30, 2016 01:03 PM (iQIUe)

Criminals have better political representation than decent people in western civ these days.

Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 01:05 PM (g8Hfr)

173 Posted by: sven10077 at May 30, 2016 01:00 PM (g8Hfr)

I would have to better than the Motel Six I was in an undisclosed location. It was built underground and had no windows, and my husband and I referred to it as "the bunker."

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 30, 2016 01:34 PM (rmw+9)

174 Why is that cross upside down?

Posted by: Damian at May 30, 2016 01:44 PM (PcHwJ)

175 Yeah. What's up with that?

Posted by: The Preacher at May 30, 2016 01:44 PM (PcHwJ)

176 That's creepy.

Posted by: Conjuring 2 at May 30, 2016 01:45 PM (PcHwJ)

177 Just heard Kathy Lee Gifford and her jackass TV sidekick "thank veterans for their service." This is infuriating for the 1000th time. Today is not Veterans Day, it's Memorial Day. These idiotic buffoons that don't know the difference should just keep their fucking mouths shut.

Posted by: Jack Torrance at May 30, 2016 02:11 PM (g9d8D)

178 Sign of the times on the site linked under Omaha Beach above:

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Due to security concerns, the pathway from Normandy American Cemetery to the beach is no longer open to the public.

Security concerns.

Posted by: Jay Guevara at May 30, 2016 02:33 PM (oKE6c)

179 Thank you, CBD, for posting this once again. I'm deeply honored that it's found a home here, with Teh Horde.

And thanks also, to everyone with a kind word for this post. Humble thanks.

But mostly, thanks to the fallen. The gave everything, and to them, we owe everything.

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at May 30, 2016 03:05 PM (v5iqM)

180 Posted by: navybrat at May 30, 2016 12:24 PM (w7KSn)

Good one, thanks. My Dad is 90 and I dread losing him every day. He used to light up when we would wander around the outdoor museum in Colorado Springs and see WWII tanks, half-tracks, etc.

He also likes going to his outfit's museum (he donated some articles) at Ft. Hood.

Posted by: Meremortal, Someone's French sucks at May 30, 2016 03:34 PM (3myMJ)

181 Oh, and I have a ceremonial SS dagger he gave me.

Posted by: Meremortal, Someone's French sucks at May 30, 2016 03:36 PM (3myMJ)

182
God Bless those who sacrificed.

Posted by: eleven -- unenthused trumpchump at May 30, 2016 04:02 PM (qUNWi)

183 Thanks guys for everything but it's all been thrown away

Posted by: Tradd at May 30, 2016 04:38 PM (EQcBC)

184 Paid my respects at the grave of my father today. It never gets easier to do:

OSCAR C GALLEGOS
Date of Birth: 10/19/1937
Date of Casualty: 5/11/1968
Home of Record: ALICE
County of Record: JIM WELLS COUNTY
State: TX
Branch of Service: ARMY
Rank: SSGT
Panel/Row:58E, 20
Casualty Province: THUA THIEN

Posted by: RGallegos at May 30, 2016 06:53 PM (49Jfq)

185 British actor David Niven served in the Commandos during WW II. He never talked about it, and once, he explained why. Just after the war, some American friends asked him to visit the grave of their son, which was in a U.S. cemetery in Belgium. He went in, and saw the grave markers stretching out for hundreds of yards. And he said to himself, "Niven, here are 20,000 reasons why you should keep your mouth shut." Which he did.

Posted by: Rich Rostrom at May 30, 2016 10:05 PM (YkV15)

186 RGallegos at May 30, 2016 06:53 PM

I don't know what to say, but I want you to know that I will remember.

Posted by: KT at May 31, 2016 02:15 AM (qahv/)

187 I have a family member buried in that cemetery. Another is buried in Lorraine.

I've never forgotten, nor will I ever.

Posted by: Marcus T at May 31, 2016 07:30 AM (O0lVq)

188 >>Posted by: RGallegos at May 30, 2016 06:53 PM (49Jfq)
<<

I have another family member who was KIA 10/1968 in Quang Nam.

God Bless them all.

Posted by: Marcus T at May 31, 2016 07:33 AM (O0lVq)

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