As we begin the long weekend I have a request for everyone: Please take a moment to think about the true meaning of the Memorial Day holiday. Please think about those who have answered the call and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the freedoms that so many here take so for granted. Not interested in getting into any kind of debate over the Iraq war (as a two-tour veteran I have my own very strong opinions), etc., etc., just want to honor those and the families of those who have selflessly sacrificed for the rest of us.
Got ya'. I spent the afternoon with my son at the AFB. Took him in some of the planes, bombers & copters used in various wars and conflicts. I was able to show him and have him touch the Titan IV engine which my pop assembled and inspected. which is currently on display at the Aerospace Museum. I cried like a ninny. I was not expecting the engine to be there and when I saw his inspection stamp on the plaque it was too much. He died 11 years ago - kidney cancer attributable to the heavy metals, materials & chemicals he was exposed to during his work with the Titan, Minuteman, Space Shuttle and HEDI programs. It may not have been war, but it was a sacrifice he made for the protection and security of our nation. Many folks consider this day the beginning of summer, fun, boating, food and beer. For me and my family it is a time to remember the sacrifice of those who have fought for the freedom and rights of all of us (even those whom we may not agree with or believe deserve it). They have done their job and their ultimate sacrifice warrants appreciate and respect. I'll post up some pics in a bit from the Aerospace Museum.
Thank you to all the men and women that have served our great country. Even more thanks to those individuals and families that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Here's a great movie that has been circulating recently. I couldn't watch it without tearing up http://www.youtube.com/p.swf?video_...t=OEgsToPDskJqb5r1Fx-0dJe7U3q26_jJ&autoplay=1
PICS Pics from Aerospace Museum Memorial Day Trip with my Son. IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST WHAT IF? TITAN IV ENGINE MY POP BUILT. Never got to see a fully built one while he was still alive. Proper place for his work....in a Museum. MY UGLY WINGIE THING FELT AT HOME.
I want to personally thank all the members here who have served and have family currently deployed. I thank you for your service.
Honey. You NEED to breath, drink water every 3 days and eat every 7. You NEED very little in life. You would like photos of me; however, this will not happen.
nice pics jenn. those really brought back a lot of memories, especially that A-10. i spent 8 years in the Air Force including time in desert storm and north italy in support of the bosnia conflict. thanx marine one for the post and remembering what this holiday is all about.
Great pics Jenn, thanks for sharing them. Bigcat, your comment concerning those who will serve in the future is most appropriate. Last Friday I attended a graduation at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, SC. A friends 22-year old son dropped out of his third year of college and enlisted in the Corps because he felt he wasn't being challenged at school. Add to that he's asked for assignment to the infantry. This young man's father is a Marine so he knows exactly what he's getting into. When I joined, peace had broken out (after the Vietnam war and before the Iranian hostage crisis), so the decision to join was not compounded by the immediate potential of deployment to a war zone. This present group of young Americans who are joining the military by and large know that there is a very real possibility that they are placing themselves into a position where they will be going to war. And for that my hat goes off to them. I believe that in many ways they are another "Greatest Generation" in the making.
How my little beach town honored one of it's own: http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l123/Marine_one/P1010559.jpg
my city did the same for a marine that i went to high school with. named the street he lived on all his life after him.
I, too, would like to add my thanks to all who have served and thanks to MarineOne for remembering that this holiday means a lot more than just the beginning of summer. I served for 18 months in Vietnam and it's very heartwarmng to be associated with a group who can take a few minutes to stop and remember what this thing is all about. Also, thanks to Jenn for the pics.
MarineOne, I believe I know the family you are talking about, was he going to Va Tech? I have a good friend (former marine) who went to his son's graduation in that time frame w/same similarities. Anyway my youngest son is now being trained to fly CH-53E 's in New River. I have lost quite a few high school classmates and friends over the years , mostly in Viet Nam. I always remember them Memorial Day. Doug Jones CPO USNR ret
Doug/Chief, My friend's son was going to a college in the Tidewater area, but I'm not sure which school. I grew up in the military as my Dad was a career USAF pilot. He flew the H-34 out of Danang as an advisor to a South Vietnamise Air Force Helicopter squadron. When I was a junior in high school, I still vividly remember the twin girls down the street getting the dreaded visit from the officer and the chaplain two days before Christmas about their father, an F-4 pilot who had been shot down and listed as MIA. I wore their Dad's POW Bracelet for years and have seen his name on the wall. He's the first of many on my personal list of fallen, which unfortunately isn't getting any shorter as the war goes on. I could write volumes about the 18 Marines who we lost on March 23, 2003 during the battle of anNasiriyah, Iraq (see my signature). Each one has a story and they were some of the bravest Marines who I have ever known. If you're interested in reading about them, I highly recommend the book, Marines In The Garden Of Eden, by Richard Lowry. Of the handful of books written on the battle, his is easily the best. Semper Fi to your son. Tell him that when he's flying over North Topsail Island, to look for the gray house with the white metal roof at the north end of the island with the Catalina 22 sailboat in the driveway and the USMC flag flying from the porch. There's probably a guy in the driveway washing a red mustang convertible!
I appreciate all the men and woman of our country that serve in the military to defend our freedom day in and day out Here are some pics from when my son, g/f and I went to the Joint Services Open House on the 20th last month at Andrews AFB. I didn't have enough time to walk around and see all that was on display as I was so intrigued by the flight demonstrations most of the day. This was my first time there and for a first timer, you need to do it over a 2 day period(8am-4pm was nowhere near enough time ).
Great pics guys! This is what make our country the greatest in the world. God Bless America and all our service men and women.
