Is Memorial Day the most challenging day for you?

2016-05-27T11:41:17-04:00

I find memorial day to be challenging each year. This year seems to be more challenging than last year. Floods of memories come and go during the year; but, as Memorial Day draws near the faces of fallen comrades-in-arms come to mind. I pray that God will comfort each of us as we remember the fallen and help us to honor their memory and their service.
I hope and pray this nation never truly forgets what it takes to keep us free from tyranny.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
I posted pictures of Winburn Drew Harrington; Reggie Johnson; my paternal grandfather John Ford; and George Brewster.

Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made May 27 at 2016 11:43 AM

2016-05-27T11:43:15-04:00

As long as I can make it through Taps without breaking down its been a good day.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 27 at 2016 11:50 AM

2016-05-27T11:50:25-04:00

Memorial Day is the most challenging day of the year for me as I remember so many who have fallen both in battle and as a result if their service to this nation.
[Update} I am posted a picture of Brent M. Combs US Navy veteran who died in April this year.
Taps played on a single bugle is probably the most haunting melody we can ever be exposed to. Once we know what it means for a fallen friend or loved one we never forget.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 27 at 2016 11:51 AM

2016-05-27T11:51:06-04:00

First, I have realized a long time ago that no one, NO ONE, is immortal in this World and I guess my faith shines a light for me that this is a VERY good thing.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made May 27 at 2016 12:09 PM

2016-05-27T12:09:54-04:00

https://youtu.be/fSKJxdoKzrI

Hymn to the Fallen

Concierto Dia del Veterano 2010. Con la participacion de los coros UPR Ponce, Recinto Ciencias Medicas, Inter San German y Municipal de Ponce.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2016 12:12 PM

2016-05-27T12:12:26-04:00

LTC Stephen F. It's not a very jubilant day for me. For all my of my friends and brothers in arms who have perished, I wish their family and friends nothing but having a blessed day.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made May 27 at 2016 12:14 PM

2016-05-27T12:14:29-04:00

It always has been as been. I used to go to the Memorial in St Louis every year... unfortunately my life as taken a different turn, so for now I focus on other things... But my uncle died in Vietnam, May 1968 (I was given his middle name as my middle). On a personal side my father passed away on Memorial Day 2015, though he never served he was true patriot. So yes it a challenging day.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 27 at 2016 12:20 PM

2016-05-27T12:20:40-04:00

LTC Stephen F., I try to go with GEN George Patton's guidance, which is as follows:
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived."
Invariably though, on Memorial Day, my thoughts always turn to my friend, Gary Sikes. I've posted this memorial to Gary on RP before, but to me, it bears repeating:
"First Lieutenant Thomas Gary Sikes was a 1962 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Jacksonville, FL and a 1967 graduate of Mercer University, Macon, GA. Lieutenant Sikes was the 2nd Platoon Leader, of C Company, 5th Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment (The Professionals), 198th Infantry Brigade, Americal (23rd) Division, United States Army Vietnam. When Lieutenant Sikes gave his all in the Quang Ngai province of South Vietnam, he left a wife and a one month old son that he never even saw. His name is located on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, DC at coordinates 36W 053. SGT Private RallyPoint Member Sgt David G Duchesneau PO3 Phyllis Maynard 1SG Mark Flowers

Response by TSgt Dawn Premock made May 27 at 2016 12:26 PM

2016-05-27T12:26:14-04:00

What makes it a challenge for me is the many people who just look at it as a time to party and don't even know what it's about.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made May 27 at 2016 2:16 PM

2016-05-27T14:16:19-04:00

I suffer from anxiety in the days leading up to Memorial Day. But come 8AM that morning i am out making sure all the flags in the Village are at Half Staff, Preparing to issue weapons to the American Legion Rifle squad, And finally playing the MC at ceremonies in 2 different Cemeteries... When I get home I relax and reflect.... This year I have the Movie "Taking Chase" planned for the early evening....

Response by TSgt Joe C. made May 27 at 2016 2:27 PM

2016-05-27T14:27:28-04:00

It's a hard day but I remember the good times of those that have died.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made May 27 at 2016 4:45 PM

2016-05-27T16:45:13-04:00

My challenge is to keep from shedding a tear or more. This is a weekend for remembering those that gave their all so that we may live as we do. God bless them one and all.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made May 27 at 2016 6:57 PM

2016-05-27T18:57:56-04:00

LTC Stephen F. It is both a challenging day when remember those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and a day of rejoicing as we celebrate the life of those great warriors that have been lifted up into heaven and provided us with stanch memories when they were serving beside us. May they never be forgotten. Thanks for post Stephen!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 28 at 2016 10:45 AM

2016-05-28T10:45:29-04:00

GEN Wayne Downing was an inspiration to those who knew him. He led the way as rangers usually do on may areas from being the man who formed the 75th Ranger Regiment to serving as COCOM for SOCOM. I knew him when he was the Brigade Commander of 3rd Brigade 1st armored Division at Bamberg, Germany after commanding a Ranger battalion. When he left Bamberg in 1984 he was building the Ranger Regiment. He fought many battles from Vietnam onwards but he was truck down by meningitis after he had retired.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made May 28 at 2016 12:35 PM

2016-05-28T12:35:38-04:00

Yes because over the years is meaning has really come into focus. As a kid it was all about opening the house on Cape Cod and reuniting with summer friends after the long winter. I never really understood the cookouts with all my dads friends from the Navy, just that they were really fun times. Then I spent 25 years in the USAF and attended way too many memorial services for friends I had been mission planning with one day and mourning the next. Perhaps it's age, but now I find myself thinking about the past way more on Memorial Day than planning to go out and have fun.