GrandpaNoob is the undisputed master of the Memorial Day and Veteran's Day posts. So here's a repeat of last years. Like fine wine, it just gets better with age.


Here's hoping you stay safe GrandpaNoob72! God bless you John and know that you are in our thoughts.

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 I know I'm about 15 minutes from the start of my actual "Posting Schedule Day", but I gotta get some sleep, folks! One year ago, I was moved to write about what I felt was a wrongful commercialization of a holiday originally intended to honor the service and sacrifices of our Military Personnel. How fortunate for me, I was offered a Staff Writer position, and my scheduled day to post in the Daily Disturbance happens to coincide with Memorial Day... So I'm back once again to remind us all of the reason behind the date... George Orwell once said, “We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would do us harm.” I think old George would forgive me a bit of respectful plagiarism/paraphrasing: "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men and women, past, present, and future, stand ready to visit violence on those who would do us harm." So many over the course of our Nation's history, have given their childhoods, their innocence, their blood, sweat, and tears, their lives, to guarantee the Freedoms we hold dear. As a reminder of just how deep the history of our Nation and our Military runs, and how closely entertwined they are, I would like to share the following text (also respectfully paraphrased from the "Alternate Infantryman's Creed"): I am the US Military! For over two centuries I have kept our Nation safe, purchasing her freedom with my blood. To tyrants, I am the day of reckoning; to the oppressed, the hope for the future. Where the fighting is thick, there am I...I am the US Military! I was there from the beginning, meeting the enemy face to face, will to will. My bleeding feet stained the snow at Valley Forge; my frozen hands pulled Washington across the Delaware. At Yorktown, the sunlight glinted from the sword and I, begrimed and battered...saw a Nation born. Hardship...and glory I have known. At New Orleans, I fought beyond the hostile hour, showed the fury of my long rifle...and came of age. I am the US Military! West I pushed with wagon trains...moved an empire across the plains...extended freedom's borders and tamed the wild frontier. I am the US Military! I was with Scott at Vera Cruz...hunted the guerrilla in the mountain passes...and scaled the high plateau. The fighting was done when I ended my march many miles from the old Alamo. From Bull Run to Appomattox, I fought and bled and died. Both Blue and Grey were my colors then. Two masters I served and united them strong...proved that this nation could right a wrong...and long endure. I am the US Military! I led the charge up San Juan Hill....scaled the walls of old Tientsin....and stalked the Moro in the steaming jungle still...always the vanguard. I am the US Military! At Chateau-Thierry, first over the top, then I stood like a Rock on the Marne. It was I who cracked the Hindenburg Line...in the Argonne, I broke the Kaiser's spine...and didn't come back till it was "over, over there." I am the US Military! A generation older at Bataan, I briefly bowed, but then I vowed to return. Assaulted the African shore...learned my lesson the hard way in the desert sands...pressed my buttons into the beach at Anzio...and bounced into Rome with determination and resolve. I am the US Military! The English Channel, stout beach defenses and the hedgerows could not hold me...I jumped into Normandy's shore....broke out at St. Lo, unbent the Bulge...vaulted the Rhine...and swarmed the Heartland. Hitler's dream and the Third Reich were dead. In the Pacific, from island to island I hopped...hit the beaches and chopped through swamp and jungle...I set the Rising Sun. I am the US Military! In Korea, I gathered my strength around Pusan...swept across the frozen Han...outflanked the Reds at Inchon...and marched to the Yalu. I am the US Military! Around the world, I stand....ever forward. Over Lebanon's sands, my rifle steady aimed...and calm returned. At Berlin's gate, I scorned the Wall of Shame. I am the US Military! My bayonet....on the wings of power...keeps the peace worldwide. And despots, falsely garbed in freedom's mantle, falter and hide. My ally in the paddies and the forest...I teach, I aid, I lead. I am the US Military! The world's headlines roar when evil men are put to flight, as I descend by parachute into the night. Grenada's students rescued, Noriega's drug dealers imprisoned, Haiti's curse lifted...I lead the way into battle through the darkest nights. I am the US Military! I fight from the sky, over the land, across the seas, and through desert sands...to free a Kuwaiti city, across frozen mountains to keep the peace in Balkan lands--I hold the key to peace or war: I am the US Military! Where brave men fight...there fight I. In freedom's cause...I live, I fight, I bleed, I die. From Concord Bridge to Heartbreak Ridge, from the Arctic to the Mekong... Always ready...then, now and forever... While you celebrate today with your family and friends, remember those who stood guard so many years ago, thank those who do it willingly today, and pray for those who will do so tomorrow. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day, folks!

Memorial Day always bring two things to mind for me.

One is 9/11. They say everyone in the U.S.A. can trace within six degrees of separation a connection to someone who gave their life on that day. For me, it's only 1. A friend of mine lost his sister in the Trade Towers collapse.

The second is Private First Class Dennis Gillaland, who died in a Medivac helicopter crash in Viet Nam. Dennis was my cousin and just a few short years older than myself. I will never forget the day he was layed to rest with the sound of taps echoing off the surrounding hillsides of Globe Arizona. Every time I drive by his final resting place, I thank him and the thousands of others that gave their lives over the years. And shed a tear for those that will.

Thank you seems so inadequate, but thank you never the less.

What are your memories?

I've lost many friends during my time on active duty. I am always proud when people across America take a day to remember them. The Veteran's Cemetary here was so full of people that it was almost impossible to get in, it was great.

With head bowed I remember both our "current" veterans, as well as those that defended this land long before we got here.

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I was the only one with a flag out front within many blocks, in fact I saw only 1 other flag on display today at a residential home. No flocking of the masses here. San Francisco after all ; we have more important things going on like the 2 whales stuck in the delta.

I went to DC for VDay. Rolling Thunder, the biker gang, was there in full force. So I really had to visit the Vietnam memorial, and there were just massive amounts of cards, plaques, and a few brews laid there for those remembered...

I've heard it said that time flies when you're having fun, and drags when you're in "The Suck." Don't know how much I believe it, as fast as time is flying, and this place SUCKS the big one...

Damned if I forgot about Memorial Day this year... I guess I kinda have an excuse, though... Making sure that there isn't a memorial of sorts for me, that is... Thanks for the reminder and the kind words, AntiM...

I wanted to let everyone know that my boys and I are doing ok so far... We've had some close calls here and there, but everyone's still alive and kicking... kicking down insurgent's doors, that is...

I also wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers... Just a few more months and I'll be home for a couple weeks of R&R... Might even stop by Lansing on the way home from KCI for a beer or two...

Anyhoo, we've finally got a couple PCs set up at BN, so we can email home and such, still working on getting 'net connectivity out at my company's COP, but stuff like overhead cover, mortar attacks, and the nightly sectarian fire fight kinda keep getting in the way of things.

Next time I'm up this way, I'll make sure to bring some pics (screened and approved by the Commander, of course, no OPSEC violations from me), and let you guys and gals see what fun and joy I get to deal with daily. Take care for now, I'll catch you guys just as soon as I can.

Glad to see you're doing allright Grandpa. Stay safe and kick some ass!