Thank you

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Panther
Posts: 2807
Joined: Wed May 17, 2000 6:01 am
Location: Massachusetts

Thank you

Post by Panther »

The parties are over. The flags removed. The summer has started as most summers do. Listen to the people back at work complain about the shortness of the "long" weekend and I dispair over their lack of appreciation at having a "weekend" at all. Cookouts, sports, some extra "free" time... and, "oh yeah, remember the soldiers..." A "holiday" to "appreciate" those who can never enjoy it, so that the rest of us can take time off from work. One, single day each year... But, No, it's not enough. It never can be. Not for what we've been given.

Those who fought for freedom are the ones who truly know the sweetness of her taste... and those who died for freedom are the ones who truly deserve her company in their sacrificial sleep. Those of us who have been given the gift (that everyone deserves) can never show our gratitude enough in one, single day... never.

Simply because that day has passed, only to be seen again in another year, is no excuse to stop showing our gratitude. Thank you for fighting and dying for my freedom...

As I sat this past weekend, looking at the medals of my Daddy - medals from the "forgotten" war - I wondered if the things I percieve to be "important" are... if the things I view as "tough issues" are...

Many people, like my Daddy, never dreamed of not serving their country and did so with enthusiasm, courage and honor... Yet, a generation later, many people never dreamed of serving their country at all. Those brave men and women who courageously went into battle for our freedom, liberty and country, did so unselfishly... knowing full well that they may not come back to enjoy those things for which they fought. And they never once complained... And too many never came home...

"Memorial Day" is over and summer has "officially" begun. Our "thank you"s have been said to those who fought, so we can all go about our day-to-day business and worry over "important" things. But, please stop and think about what those "important" things really are... Without your family, your loved ones, the future generations, why fight? All the day-to-day issues cease having the enormous importance when you cease having a reason to die for them. That's why those brave men and women fought... and it's why we must also carry the torch of freedom and liberty... because we owe no less to our sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and all of their grandchildren. We owe no less than to pass on the freedoms and liberties that were fought for and paid for with the blood of the heroic men and women who have served this country from the beginning. That's what makes things important. So we must always keep in our hearts and minds a warm thought, a sincere prayer, and the deepest appreciation to all those who have fought. And honor their memory by insuring that the freedoms and liberties that they fought for are passed on to future generations completely intact.

Freedom is not free, so be good to each other...
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RACastanet
Posts: 3744
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 1999 6:01 am
Location: Richmond, VA

Thank you

Post by RACastanet »

Nice essay. My late dad fought in North Africa at Tunisia, plus Sicily, Po Vally, Anzio, Monte Casino and more. I pulled out his 'Eisenhower' jacket to remind the kids how it was when he was their age.

Then we went to the range with the M1 and M1A to make some noise and put metal down range in remembrance.

Rich
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