Memorial Day, 2008

[Burgundy Burner]

It was raining "cats and dogs" and I was late for physical training. Traffic was backed up at Fort Campbell, Ky., and was moving way too slowly. I was probably going to be late and I was growing more and more impatient. The pace slowed almost to a standstill as I passed Memorial Grove, the site built to honor the soldiers who died in the Gander airplane crash, the worst redeployment accident in the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Because it was close to Memorial Day, a small American flag had been placed in the ground next to each soldier's memorial plaque. My concern at the time, however, was getting past the bottleneck, getting out of the rain and getting to PT on time.

All of a sudden, infuriatingly, just as the traffic was getting started again, the car in front of me stopped. A soldier, a private of course, jumped out in the pouring rain and ran over toward the grove. I couldn't believe it! This knucklehead was holding up everyone for who knows what kind of prank. Horns were honking. I waited to see the butt-chewing that I wanted him to get for making me late.

He was getting soaked to the skin. His BDUs were plastered to his frame. I watched-as he ran up to one of the memorial plaques, picked up the small American flag that had fallen to the ground in the wind and the rain, and set it upright again. Then, slowly, he came to attention, saluted the small flag, ran back to his car, and drove off.

I'll never forget that incident. That soldier, whose name I will never know, taught me more about duty, honor, and respect than a hundred books or a thousand lectures. That simple salute -- that single act of honoring his fallen brother and his flag -- encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, "I will never forget. I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American soldier." I thank God for examples like that. And on this Memorial Day, I will remember all those who paid the ultimate price for my freedom, and one Army Private, soaked to the skin, who honored them.

May you and your families have a special time this weekend to remember all those who have given so much of themselves for each of us.

Capt. John Rasmussen from Eagle Base, Bosnia - May 22, 2002.

To my father - I celebrate your memory and dedicated service to our country on this special day.

[Rdskn4Lyf21]

That's beautiful.

Thanks to all of those serving and that have served. Be safe and may God protect you.

[chipwhich]

This is my uncle. I only have pictures of with him as memories. I was almost five when he died. He was 22.

http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/SmithCR01a.htm

[RyansRangers]

On Friday we layed my Grandfather to rest, a WWII veteran and a old tough man did not want a wake or funeral service just to be cremated and no service. Thursday night as I was preparing my suit for Fridays Funeral with my family it came to me. Here was a WWII veteran that chose not to have a military burial and chose not to have a funeral service at all because he did not want to put anybody out. Here was a man that served our country that was not going to have the proper burial. That night I took one of my many flags and brought it with me to the grave site. I laid the American Flag on his urn box during the small funeral. After we had paid our respects my father a vietnam veteran and myself a veteran folded up the 3x3 foot flag into the triagle stars only. and laid it next to my grand mother gravesite and asked the funeral director to have this buried with him so that my grandmother could have the flag. We saluted my grandfather and it was over.

[Mark The Homer]

A True Story:

http://www.ussliberty.org/chapter6.htm