Veterans Day

[ChrisK]

Thanks to those of you who serve our Country, it is truly appreciate by my Family. God bless!

[BMack37]

50 minutes ago, ChrisK said:

Thanks to those of you who serve our Country, it is truly appreciate by my Family. God bless!

 

I reiterate this sentiment

[fm2176]

Sitting here readying for my penultimate military move and having a couple (dozen) beers now, while thinking of my fallen comrades on Memorial Day.  When I get back to Arlington next month I plan on visiting a few: Joseph Hernandez, Will McCotter-Bohren, Chris Hake, Adam Dickmyer, Matthew Ritz, and others.  I'll also be paying respect to those my Casket Team rendered final honors to ten+ years ago. 

 

A poem comes to mind, written by a man who would be KIA himself in Vietnam less than three months later, immortalized in the movie "Hamburger Hill", which was coincidentally about the toils of men assigned to the first unit I was assigned to in 2002, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasans).  The poet also resides in Arlington National Cemetery:

If you are able,
save them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving
for the places they can
no longer go. 
Be not ashamed to say
you loved them,
though you may
or may not have always.
Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own. 
And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind. 

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam