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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.
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.
Posted in these groups: 
Memorial Day
Remembrance
Faith
Family
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Memorial Day Remembrance Faith Family United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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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.
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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 (Join to see) Sgt David G Duchesneau PO3 Phyllis Maynard 1SG Mark Flowers
"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 (Join to see) Sgt David G Duchesneau PO3 Phyllis Maynard 1SG Mark Flowers
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LTC Stephen F.
Well stated my friend LTC Stephen C.. I remember the face you have posted before. It is always striking to realize that the young man who was smiling in that photo was killed in action so long ago. I pray that God continues to bless you with good memories of your friend First Lieutenant Thomas Gary Sikes and that your grief will turn to joy.
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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.
LTC Stephen Conway CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 SPC (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) CW5 (Join to see) SSG Leo Bell SFC William Farrell PO3 Steven Sherrill SGT Robert Hawks CPO Tim Dickey SP6 Clifford Ward SGT Randal Groover SGM Steve Wettstein SSG Leonard J W. PO1 John Miller SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT Robert George Capt Seid Waddell SSG Steven E. Capt Christopher Mueller
[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.
LTC Stephen Conway CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 SPC (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) CW5 (Join to see) SSG Leo Bell SFC William Farrell PO3 Steven Sherrill SGT Robert Hawks CPO Tim Dickey SP6 Clifford Ward SGT Randal Groover SGM Steve Wettstein SSG Leonard J W. PO1 John Miller SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT Robert George Capt Seid Waddell SSG Steven E. Capt Christopher Mueller
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SSG Leo Bell
Yes this is very true. It's really hard for me as well, when I was stationed at Bragg as an E4 the weekend prior I was drinking a beer with a friend. We wanted more and I didn't have the extra money to get it, so Jackson said he would buy and I would buy the next weekend. Well they went to the field that Monday, on Wednesday during a ration run, the driver was driving to fast down chicken road and flipped the deuce and a half. The driver was ejected and Jackson was in the middle. He was crushed and died instantly, my other friend lost his legs from the truck landing on top of his legs. The drive had a broken arm and a few scratches. So this time every year I feel really sad thinks my of my battle buddy, and how I still owe him that beer.
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LTC Stephen F.
SSG Leo Bell - Thanks for sharing a horrible event in your life. I pray that God will bless you with peace and joy as you remember the good times you had with Jackson.
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As long as I can make it through Taps without breaking down its been a good day.
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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!
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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.
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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....
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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.
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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.
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