Remember why you have this site, your guns, and the freedom to do whatever you want, anytime you want.
From the Revolutionary War to present day, this country has always produced some fine pipehitters.
Say thanks, and don’t just fly flag today.
Buy a Vet a beer, watch his kids why he and wife go out, mow his grass. He’ll try to say don’t worry about it, but do it anyway.
Amen.
I would like to add my thanks for those who have served, are serving, or have given all. Please raise a glass to them or take a moment in silence.
And as a vet myself, I don’t miss an opportunity to shake their hands and buy them food or drink if they aren’t traveling on the new rules that prohibit same.
But this day is for the Fallen.
So I’m taking the juice of the barley and raising a toast to men and woman like this.
Keith Lucas was a 160th Blackhawk pilot and was killed on Grenada dury Urgent Fury inserting Army SOF. One of the vets from there discusses Keith briefly on his blog when he ran for the Senate. Keith was a terrific guy. At Ft Riley in the summer of '79 when we could get a pass off post (cadets) we’d split a hotel room to get away and get a thick steak and some cold beer and sleep in a bed we wouldn’t have to make.
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache...lnk&cd=8&gl=us
Speaking calmly, Beatty recalled the heroism of Captain Keith Lucas, the pilot of the Black Hawk helicopter.
“He flew us in with people firing at him,” Beatty said. “We, who were sitting in the open doors, at least we could shoot back and people. But all he could do was fly. He flew us in to exactly where he was supposed to fly us and put us exactly where he was supposed to put us.”
Beatty said that about 35 feet in front of the nose of the helicopter he could see, and he knew Lucas could see, a soldier aiming an AK-47 straight at them. Lucas’ trying to land the helicopter looking right at a soldier aiming to shoot it down, Beatty said, was truly remarkable.
“He just did his job,” Beatty said. “It was an incredible. He knew that there were 1,000 American families counting on him to get their children out, to get their loved ones out. This guy was tremendous.”
Lucas was shot and killed by the soldier during their descent, Beatty said, causing the helicopter to have a crash landing.
I appreciate this thread. A lot of people equate Memorial Day with Veterans Day. I had lots of people thanking me for my service all weekend long. I thanked them without correction, but I thought geez, is everyone out of touch with the true meaning of the day?
It is somewhat unusual to an older guy (like me) but I’m so glad to see such enduring patriotism and appreciation for the military which was so rare back in the '70’s when I came of age.
I had the same thing happen at church yesterday. Several people said that things like that. I know they were well-intentioned, and it was just a gentle correction.
I did politely ask them to be sure and thank the families of any fallen veterans that they knew.
I agree with what y’all are saying about the true meaning of Memorial day…people say “Happy Memorial Day” for someone whose family will never see them again “Happy” does not describe the day that they lost their loved one in service to this country…May God comfort their families as they remember as well as the friends who served with them.
Well said!!!
I add my thanks to a young PFC Jay ornsby-Adkins 22 .who trained with me at FT Knox who lost his life in a IED/small arms attack in Iraq May 2007. Tankers lead the way Brother! 2/81 ARMOR A company 1st PLT “WARPIGS” READY FOR WAR RIP
Worked all day. Finally got home a little while ago. With enough time to mix a drink and say a few words for all those deserving to be remembered on this day… Cheers!
One of the truly disappointing aspects of our modern society is highlighted on Memorial day…
Often in politics the United States is accused of all sorts of horrific things by people sitting in the comfort of air conditioned TV studios. These people either do not know or do not care that X or Y administration doesn’t actually do much of anything…It’s the people on the ground whom they carelessly throw accusations at.
The truth is this:
Throughout the history of the United States we have been protected as a people by individuals who willingly place themselves in harm’s way for the greater good of the nation. They place themselves on the bleeding edge of international conflicts and in the middle of circumstances so complex it makes one dizzy just to try and consider all the angles. Meanwhile they carry the burden of the foreign policy of a superpower on their back day in and day out. On top of that, they have to worry that any potential action will be second guessed by an uninformed public who often regards the very people who bleed to protect them with suspicion and contempt.
We take these individuals, minimally equip and train them, and then drop them into a giant mess and expect them to clean it up while obeying the strictest rules of conduct imaginable and while being unbelievably nice even to the worst of scumbags…and you know what? They deliver.
I got this in my email yesterday and it really made me think. I thought I’d share it here with others who might appreciate it:
2009 Memorial Day Message
On Memorial Day, and every day, we honor Americans who volunteer to serve a cause greater than themselves – Americans just like Phillip Myers. Growing up in Hopewell, Virginia, Phillip was, some say, just “like any other teenager.” He went to school, loved cars and music, and for a few years after high school, he held a job near home. Phillip joined the Air Force in 1999 as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician because, as he once half-joked, “it paid more.” But everyone around him knew differently – he was merely following his dreams.
Spending all ten years of his service overseas, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, his father said Phillip always looked out for the people serving under him, and that “if he thought a job was too dangerous, he’d get out and check it himself.” He had previously received both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for valor, but Phillip wasn’t motivated by accolades. He knew he was just looking out for his people, and trying to get the job done.
On April 4th, 2009, near Helmand Province in Afghanistan, Technical Sergeant Phillip Myers died doing what he loved to do – protecting the lives of others – while disarming an improvised explosive device.
It was nearly 65 years ago when Ernie Pyle, the famous wartime reporter, captured a similar spirit of seemingly ordinary young men, extraordinarily fighting and dying on the beaches of Normandy: they were “fighting for each other.” We are reminded that the story of Phillip Myers is a special but timeless one – the story of Americans simply doing what they love, on behalf of those they care for most.
Memorial Day is about families and friends, bound by service, commitment, and sacrifice. As you gather this holiday weekend with those you love, please remember Phillip’s family, his wife, daughter, and son, and thousands of other families of the fallen, just like them – for whom this day will be forever sacred.
On behalf of the more than two million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coastguardsmen, and their families, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and I wish you a very enjoyable and safe Memorial Day.
Sincerely, M. G. MULLEN, Admiral, U.S. Navy