I know I am not one of your regular writers here but let me take this time to share with you a letter I write to all of our Veterans and Heros on this memorial day weekend. From one veteran to you.

To my HERO.
As a child, on Memorial Day, I remember the importance of putting up our flag on the massive pole out in front of our house. I remember my father crying as he raised the flag on this day. I remember him telling me that this was no ordinary flag but the flag to the last ship he served on in the United States Navy. The Flag that was given to him when he retired from the Armed Forces. A flag that actually flew on the mast of a great ship of this worlds Finest Navy. I remember him discussing the stories of the foreign places he had been. Vietnam and many other conflicts that put him in harms way to make sure that freedom was never lost. I remember the smile on his face the day I joined the United State Navy to serve my country and follow in the heritage of my familys footsteps. There has been a member of every generation in my family in the Navy since the First Fleet set sail on the oceans waves for the first time.

I also remember our family having a great barbecue, playing in the sun, and enjoying the day, free from worries, free from oppression. In short:
FREE.
Just the way you would have wanted it!
I know that you paid the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that I and many others have the freedom to enjoy the basic rights as human beings. This year though is a different year. This year we find ourselves at war with Iraq and Terrorism. We find the public scrutinizing the work you did and do. We find the lack of support for your ultimate sacrifice. Like Jesus lost to Santa and the Easter Bunny, You are loosing to the big sale at Wal-Mart a presidential election and the many other commercial ideas that take over a Holiday meant to honor YOU. Most of the people that attend the Memorial Day Parade only stand up out of their chair when someone throws candy at them or their legs get tired. Forgetting to honor the Flag that you fought to keep standing tall and proud. Why are the ones in wheel chairs the only ones standing? All the flags that were waving when America was attacked in Sept of 2001 are no longer waving. People are finding themselves embarrassed of our country for the war in Iraq and the behavior of a few ignorant soldiers who abused some Prisoners of war. Americans are so skeptical these days that even the beheading of an American Citizen falls under scrutiny by the masses as a fraud and is quickly discounted. Many times forgetting the family of that Beheaded hero who just wanted to help people with a better life. What does that say of our country that these ideas are even thought off or comitted?

Sometimes what we fight for isn't easy or right. And sometimes the reasons may seem unimportant to the masses but rest assured No matter what reason you fight, I support you 150%. I stand behind your sacrifice and your willingness to leave your family behind to go to a strange place and serve your country. Your willingness to not run from your duty as an AMERICAN. No matter what you fight for your Sacrifice is what we honor. The freedom we enjoy isn't cheap and shouldn't be treated as such. Rest assured that on this Memorial Day I will stand when the American Flag passes by me in the parade and put my hand on my heart. I will hang my flag for others to see. I will lay flowers and flags at the Memorials of my family and friends that served. And I will smile knowing I can enjoy the freedom to play with my children without fear because of YOUR sacrifice... Lest we not forget so easily the unsung American men and women that serve this country proudly and with HONOR and DIGNITY. We will do our best to overlook the sadder things that happen and the unjust stupidities of a few Criminals. My thoughts are with you this Entire weekend. My thoughts are with your family that may be celebrating without you because you made it possible for me to celebrate with mine
I love you and I honor you. You are not unnoticed in this Veterans Heart.
I leave you with a prayer. Sincerely
Barry K Snider

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
Who walked on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our family shield in danger?s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect us wheresoever we go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea
Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky.
Be with them always in the air,
In darkening storms or sunlight fair;
Oh, hear us when we lift our prayer,
For those in peril in the air!
Eternal Father, grant, we pray,
To all Soldiers, both night and day,
The courage, honor, strength, and skill
Their land to serve, thy law fulfill;
Be thou the shield forevermore
From every peril forevermore.

wonderful letter digi

Well put Barry. Great letter. For the first time, I find myself speechless.

Wow, that is deep man. Props on that writing.

*tear*.... and not ashamed!
That is a wonderful letter DW, I for one am thankful you wrote it.
I feel that I must clarify my position here since I seem to be a bit misunderstood in my governmental skepticism. I honor the veterans and active-duty members always as they are the one's that actually make the sacrifices, not the bastards in Washington that hide behind a desk and send others to their deaths without ever having served their country the "proper" way. Yes, I know that some of the politicians served in the military and I respect that. The thing is, most people think that if you are against our government, you are against America and that couldn't be further from the truth. I fight against our current administration precisely because I am patriotic..... in the true sense of the word, not how our government tries to twist the definition.
Well done Barry!

I know this is late to post, seeing as memorial day has past. I came to this section seeking the results of the PR caption thread, only to find myself reading your post.

I may be a younguhn but I can sure tell when something comes from the heart...wow that was powerfull!
All vets are not forgotten in my heart!