Today is Memorial Day here in the United States. It is the day we set aside to remember and honor those who lost their lives in service to our nation, and to recall that we owe our own lives and freedom to them and their sacrifice.
If I still lived in Manchester, I would visit Victory Park and pay my respects at the monument to Rene Gagnon. Gagnon, a native of Manchester, was one of the men who raised the flag on Iwo Jima in the famous World War II photo, and one corner of the park holds a memorial in his honor. I've discussed this before, in both written and photographic form.
Instead, I believe I will spend some quiet time in contemplation of the tremendous debt we owe those countless men and women -- and remembering that their gift is not for us to keep, but to preserve and pass on to future generations. Each generation that benefits from their sacrifice accepts it with the obligation to not let it end.




Comments (16)
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette... (Below threshold)1. Posted by kim | May 28, 2007 9:19 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette happily has a few of Bill's lines.
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1. Posted by kim | May 28, 2007 9:19 AM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 09:19
2. Posted by spurwing plover | May 28, 2007 10:05 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And right now our politcians are dishonoring their momories and effords by selling out our nation to the mexican mafia the New World Order and the North American Union their all guilty of treason
2. Posted by spurwing plover | May 28, 2007 10:05 AM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 10:05
3. Posted by epador | May 28, 2007 10:40 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
No Spam here. I wear my old units' insignia for those who have already passed on their gift, and to heck with those who take advantage of this thread to vomit their ideas about.
3. Posted by epador | May 28, 2007 10:40 AM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 10:40
4. Posted by Mike | May 28, 2007 11:12 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Does anyone know if Edwards is still planning to do his anti-war protests today? I'd love to go to a counter-protest. I'll probably make it down to the national cemetary as well.
4. Posted by Mike | May 28, 2007 11:12 AM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 11:12
5. Posted by Wieder | May 28, 2007 11:17 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Came to this thread expecting to find innumerable comments as to what the sacrifice of our troops means to Wizzers, and even though Jay's post was at 6am, there so far are only 3 piddling non-comments, none of which reflect Jay's own thoughts about this day to , "spend some quiet time in contemplation of the tremendous debt we owe those countless men and women..."
I would have thought that, with all the professed support of our troops on this blog, the comments on this thread would have been in the scores at least.
As for me, I found watching a Maxine Hong Kingston interview/discussion of her work, Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace, that I had tivoed Friday, to be an excellent hour spent in remembrance of our troops and our debt to them. In their own words and poems, these veterans put flesh on the bones of the sacrifices that our troops have made for America, from WWII up to and including Iraq.
5. Posted by Wieder | May 28, 2007 11:17 AM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 11:17
6. Posted by CayuteKitt | May 28, 2007 11:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Lost my first boyfriend to 'Nam. At the virtual wall awhile back I posted this to him:
"Thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice to defend and secure our freedom. God bless you, and God Bless America."
But not just those who sacrificed their lives to secure our freedom should be remembered on this day: Both my parents, who died natural deaths, served in World War II. They gave up part of their lives to also fight for our country, and all of you who did so in past wars, and are doing so now in current battles, should be remembered on this day as well.
To all of you I say: Thank you from my heart for sacrificing so much to keep us and our great country safe and secure, and a beacon of freedom for all of the world.
6. Posted by CayuteKitt | May 28, 2007 11:23 AM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 11:23
7. Posted by CayuteKitt | May 28, 2007 11:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted by: Wieder at May 28, 2007 11:17 AM
"Came to this thread expecting to find innumerable comments as to what the sacrifice of our troops means to Wizzers, and even though Jay's post was at 6am....."
Give it time, Wieder. This is the one day of the year that people actually go out to cemeteries to visit with those whose lives were lost defending this great country. And usually the mornings are the nicest, quietest times to do that.....
People will be back home later, although I'd think they'd get pretty p****d at reading your snarky comment after a peaceful morning of remembrance with loved ones who have passed.
7. Posted by CayuteKitt | May 28, 2007 11:33 AM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 11:33
8. Posted by metprof | May 28, 2007 11:48 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Special thanks and rememberances today for those who served before me (father was a North Korean POW), friends I served with, and this new generation whose the best yet.
History tells us America wouldn't be the last, best place if it wasn't for these patriots. May God keep those who've passed and bless those here with us.
8. Posted by metprof | May 28, 2007 11:48 AM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 11:48
9. Posted by Peter F. | May 28, 2007 12:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
God Bless the men and women who have given everything for their country, both yesterday and today. Our debt to you is infinite.
9. Posted by Peter F. | May 28, 2007 12:40 PM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 12:40
10. Posted by jennifer | May 28, 2007 12:58 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I would have thought that, with all the professed support of our troops on this blog, the comments on this thread would have been in the scores at least.
I responded to Lorie's post the other day and linked what I wrote about my dad http://penofjen.blogspot.com/2007/04/in-honor-of-captain-david-p-gibson.html I agree only four people even commented on that post.
I guess I am going to respect that many are quietly reflecting today.
10. Posted by jennifer | May 28, 2007 12:58 PM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 12:58
11. Posted by WildWillie | May 28, 2007 4:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I cannot put into words what respect I have for the military. Thanks isn't enough. ww
11. Posted by WildWillie | May 28, 2007 4:09 PM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 16:09
12. Posted by Big Mo | May 28, 2007 6:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jefferson Barracks in STL was very busy today. It's filling up, too.
"Thank you" just definitely isn't enough.
By the way, Weider, most people on the right love and respect the military as a matter of course. That you don't see a lot comments here doesn't signify anything. You see, people who love and respect the military 24/7 don't have anything to prove, least of all to you.
12. Posted by Big Mo | May 28, 2007 6:02 PM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 18:02
13. Posted by DJ Drummond | May 28, 2007 6:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Jennifer, sometimes words get in the way.
13. Posted by DJ Drummond | May 28, 2007 6:11 PM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 18:11
14. Posted by Rob LA Ca. | May 28, 2007 6:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"I cannot put into words what respect I have for the military. Thanks isn't enough."
That says it all for me, thanks WW.
"I would have thought that, with all the professed support of our troops on this blog, the comments on this thread would have been in the scores at least."
Shame on you Wieder. Thanks for giving some insight into how you frauds think. It's not news.
If you don't do "A" you can't claim to be "B".
14. Posted by Rob LA Ca. | May 28, 2007 6:42 PM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 18:42
15. Posted by wavemaker | May 28, 2007 7:23 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
While most of us have been out planting flags, saying thanks and flipping burgers at the American Legion, Weider has been sitting in his bathrobe waiting for his chance to pounce with his rapier wit and incisive thinking.
As with the Yankees today (again), "he swings, he misses!"
15. Posted by wavemaker | May 28, 2007 7:23 PM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 19:23
16. Posted by Ran | May 28, 2007 11:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Weider, your an ignorant, pompous butt. I was shot to hell in Nam! but today was my brother's day. I found a cemetery they were there, from wars past. Suffice it to say, I'd trade your sorry life for just a ten minute talk with any one of them...OK.. flame away asshole.
16. Posted by Ran | May 28, 2007 11:46 PM |
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Posted on May 28, 2007 23:46