Remembering the fallen
It's Memorial Day and I am sitting here remembering those I served with who died while on active duty. A pilot who couldn't eject from his jet while on a training mission over the Yellow Sea. Two guys who were just swimming at the on-base beach after a 12 hour shift, who went beyond the rope and were never seen again. A young airman killed by a drunk driver while on the way to his duty assignment one morning.
In my mind, anyone who dies while wearing our nation's uniform deserves to be remembered today. The 241 Marines who died in the bombing in Beirut and the 248 soldiers who died in a plane crash at Gander while on their way home.
Same goes for those who simply could not go on living after their experiences in combat. When a military member takes his or her own life because they just can't go on living with what they endured, in my mind they also died while serving. The question is, did we fail because we didn't prevent their end? I have no answer to that question. It is as they say "above my pay grade".
Many will spend this day as it should be spent. Participating in ceremonies that pay tribute to the fallen. Many will just enjoy a day off. The ceremonies and the reflections won't be a part of their experience. That's fine. The men and women who served and died did it so that the rest of us would continue to enjoy the freedoms that include having a good time on a holiday.
There is a way you and everyone else can take part in remembering the fallen. Today at 3 p.m., local time is the National Moment of Remembrance. This tradition started in 1997 and President Clinton issued a memorandum directing all federal agencies and departments to take part and support this notion. Please, at 3 p.m. today, wherever you are, spend a moment in silent reflection.
Today is for all of the fallen. RIP ladies and gentleman. We all appreciate your sacrifice. We do pause to remember three names in particular today. Lance Corporal Joseph N. Hargrove, PFC Gary L. Hall and PVT Danny G. Marshall, three Marines who were accidentally left behind during the withdrawal from Koh Tang island after the crew of the Mayaguez had been recovered. All three were subsequently murdered by the Khmer Rouge.
I read about a wonderful salute to a fallen Marine that pays tribute while helping those who are serving today. Check out http://scmsg.org/sponsors and learn about Socks for Heroes.
* * * * *
I do plan to observe a moment of silence today at 3 p.m but seeing a movie in the theater will have to wait until tomorrow. Not because I'm tired. Because of all the classic war movies being shown today. I watched "The Guns of Navarone" very recently so I'm not watching that, but "Where Eagles Dare", "The Devil's Brigade", "Kelly's Heroes" "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Longest Day" will all air today. Great movies one and all.
The loss by the L.A. Kings last night was disappointing. But they will win the series tomorrow evening on home ice. Then off to the Conference Final and then the Cup Final. The Kings WILL hoist the Cup again this year.
"The Green Berets" was on yesterday and will air again today. I don't need to see the sun set in the East, watch "Mr. Sulu" getting blown up by a mortar, or see a demonstration of the Fulton Skyhook yet again. But it is worth noting that the character of "Mr. Beckworth" played by David Janssen was loosely based on the real life exploits of author Robin Moore. He wrote "The Green Berets" as a novel although much of it was based on his own experiences in Vietnam, travelling with real Green Beret teams. When he wanted to write about the elite unit, the General coordinating his request insisted that he go through the entire Green Beret training program first. Moore was so highly trained that toward the end of his time in Vietnam, the Green Berets he was "covering" allowed him to travel as the second American with teams of local 'strikers' on patrols. This is a particularly jingoistic film, created by John Wayne in an attempt to counter the anti-war attitude prevelant at the time in the U.S. It made money but did little to counter the unpopularity and distaste most of the public had for the war.
This Date in History:
On this date in 1703, Peter the Great founded the city of St. Petersburg.
On this date in 1813, American forces capture Fort George, during the War of 1812.
On this date in 1896, a F4 strength tornado hits St. Louis and East St. Louis, killing 255 people.
On this date in 1907, there is an outbreak of bubonic plague in San Francisco.
On this date in 1927, Ford stops making the Model T.
On this date in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is opened to pedestrian traffic.
On this date in 1967, the USS John F. Kennedy, an aircraft carrier is launched.
On this date in 1968, Major League Baseball awards Montreal the first franchise in Canada.
On this date in 1986, Dragon Quest is released in Japan.
On this date in 1995, actor Christopher Reeve is paralyzed in an accident.
Famous Folk Born on This Date:
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Jay Gould
Wild Bill Hickok
Dashiell Hammett
Rachel Carson
Dolores Hope
Hubert H. Humphrey
Vincent Price
Sam Snead
Christopher Lee
Henry Kissinger
Sumner Redstone
Tony Hillerman
Lee Merriweather
Bruce Weitz
Pete Sears
Richard Schiff
Steven Brill
Todd Bridges
Joseph Finnes
Lisa Lopes
Movie Quote of the day today comes from "Platoon":
Chris Taylor: Day by day, I struggle to maintain not only my strength but my sanity. It's all a blur. I have no energy to write. I don't know what's right and what's wrong anymore. The morale of the men is low. A civil war in the platoon. Half the men with Elias, half with Barnes. There's a lot of suspicion and hate. I can't believe we're fighting each other when we should be fighting them.
In my mind, anyone who dies while wearing our nation's uniform deserves to be remembered today. The 241 Marines who died in the bombing in Beirut and the 248 soldiers who died in a plane crash at Gander while on their way home.
Same goes for those who simply could not go on living after their experiences in combat. When a military member takes his or her own life because they just can't go on living with what they endured, in my mind they also died while serving. The question is, did we fail because we didn't prevent their end? I have no answer to that question. It is as they say "above my pay grade".
Many will spend this day as it should be spent. Participating in ceremonies that pay tribute to the fallen. Many will just enjoy a day off. The ceremonies and the reflections won't be a part of their experience. That's fine. The men and women who served and died did it so that the rest of us would continue to enjoy the freedoms that include having a good time on a holiday.
There is a way you and everyone else can take part in remembering the fallen. Today at 3 p.m., local time is the National Moment of Remembrance. This tradition started in 1997 and President Clinton issued a memorandum directing all federal agencies and departments to take part and support this notion. Please, at 3 p.m. today, wherever you are, spend a moment in silent reflection.
Today is for all of the fallen. RIP ladies and gentleman. We all appreciate your sacrifice. We do pause to remember three names in particular today. Lance Corporal Joseph N. Hargrove, PFC Gary L. Hall and PVT Danny G. Marshall, three Marines who were accidentally left behind during the withdrawal from Koh Tang island after the crew of the Mayaguez had been recovered. All three were subsequently murdered by the Khmer Rouge.
I read about a wonderful salute to a fallen Marine that pays tribute while helping those who are serving today. Check out http://scmsg.org/sponsors and learn about Socks for Heroes.
* * * * *
I do plan to observe a moment of silence today at 3 p.m but seeing a movie in the theater will have to wait until tomorrow. Not because I'm tired. Because of all the classic war movies being shown today. I watched "The Guns of Navarone" very recently so I'm not watching that, but "Where Eagles Dare", "The Devil's Brigade", "Kelly's Heroes" "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Longest Day" will all air today. Great movies one and all.
The loss by the L.A. Kings last night was disappointing. But they will win the series tomorrow evening on home ice. Then off to the Conference Final and then the Cup Final. The Kings WILL hoist the Cup again this year.
"The Green Berets" was on yesterday and will air again today. I don't need to see the sun set in the East, watch "Mr. Sulu" getting blown up by a mortar, or see a demonstration of the Fulton Skyhook yet again. But it is worth noting that the character of "Mr. Beckworth" played by David Janssen was loosely based on the real life exploits of author Robin Moore. He wrote "The Green Berets" as a novel although much of it was based on his own experiences in Vietnam, travelling with real Green Beret teams. When he wanted to write about the elite unit, the General coordinating his request insisted that he go through the entire Green Beret training program first. Moore was so highly trained that toward the end of his time in Vietnam, the Green Berets he was "covering" allowed him to travel as the second American with teams of local 'strikers' on patrols. This is a particularly jingoistic film, created by John Wayne in an attempt to counter the anti-war attitude prevelant at the time in the U.S. It made money but did little to counter the unpopularity and distaste most of the public had for the war.
This Date in History:
On this date in 1703, Peter the Great founded the city of St. Petersburg.
On this date in 1813, American forces capture Fort George, during the War of 1812.
On this date in 1896, a F4 strength tornado hits St. Louis and East St. Louis, killing 255 people.
On this date in 1907, there is an outbreak of bubonic plague in San Francisco.
On this date in 1927, Ford stops making the Model T.
On this date in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge is opened to pedestrian traffic.
On this date in 1967, the USS John F. Kennedy, an aircraft carrier is launched.
On this date in 1968, Major League Baseball awards Montreal the first franchise in Canada.
On this date in 1986, Dragon Quest is released in Japan.
On this date in 1995, actor Christopher Reeve is paralyzed in an accident.
Famous Folk Born on This Date:
Cornelius Vanderbilt
Jay Gould
Wild Bill Hickok
Dashiell Hammett
Rachel Carson
Dolores Hope
Hubert H. Humphrey
Vincent Price
Sam Snead
Christopher Lee
Henry Kissinger
Sumner Redstone
Tony Hillerman
Lee Merriweather
Bruce Weitz
Pete Sears
Richard Schiff
Steven Brill
Todd Bridges
Joseph Finnes
Lisa Lopes
Movie Quote of the day today comes from "Platoon":
Chris Taylor: Day by day, I struggle to maintain not only my strength but my sanity. It's all a blur. I have no energy to write. I don't know what's right and what's wrong anymore. The morale of the men is low. A civil war in the platoon. Half the men with Elias, half with Barnes. There's a lot of suspicion and hate. I can't believe we're fighting each other when we should be fighting them.
posted by me at 9:52 AM
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