What does Memorial Day mean to you?

2021-05-27T15:28:37-04:00

As we approach Memorial Day, we wanted to hold on to the meaning of this day. A lot of the attention for the weekend is around BBQs, shopping deals, extra days off… but I'm guessing for most of us here, it’s obviously much more than that.

One of our staff members, US Army Veteran, Jerry Altieri, shared this: It is a celebration of life gained from life lost. It elicits memories of friends gone. It is a day I remember them. Their smiles. Their laughs. Their life and why they served.

What does Memorial Day mean to you?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 27 at 2021 3:44 PM

2021-05-27T15:44:22-04:00

Memorial day is a day that highlights my appreciation for those who gave their lives for our great country to make sure that we were free from those that wanted to destroy freedom and democracy RallyPoint Shared Content

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made May 27 at 2021 4:02 PM

2021-05-27T16:02:11-04:00

Memorial Day to military and former military is not simply a holiday off of work like it is to most folks. It is a day to stop, remember, and give thanks to those who gave it their all to keep our country free from all enemies foreign and domestic. I make it a point to go to the V.A. Cemetery on Memorial day and walk several rows (different rows each year) of the graves of my fallen brothers and sisters who didn't make it back.

Yesterday was the last day of our 2020-2021 academic school year and I put this on the board:
"All gave some, some gave all."
It was amazing the number of students that didn't know what Memorial Day was all about. And that my brothers and sisters, is a sad state of affairs.

"Gone but never forgotten"

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made May 27 at 2021 4:12 PM

2021-05-27T16:12:28-04:00

For me I mostly remember three friends…the first two Eric “BOOTS” Das and Bud “SALTY” Watkins. I taught Eric at SOS and both were assigned to the same unit as my brother. Bud flew with my brother regularly and Eric was a DG at Squadron Officer School and we stayed in touch briefly. As a matter of fact Bud flew with my brother the day before the accident, signing a certificate as the WSO that flew a flag for me over the AOR. Parts of BOOTS and SALTY are interred together at Arlington.

https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/air-force-capt-eric-b-das/256593

https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/air-force-maj-william-r-watkins-iii/256598

The second was Maj Troy “TROJAN” Gilbert. Again another student at SOS but one that stayed in touch...you remember the good ones! If you get the opportunity to read his full story you will see how much of a hero and how many lives he actually saved before the accident.

https://www.airforcemag.com/article/troy-gilberts-odyssey/

I also remember a young Army medic who took care of me in Afghanistan in a medical convoy who was called out to an outpost the next day…He was killed by a roadside bomb…I cannot recall his name but he ensured I was safe the day before he left…he gave the last full measure taking care of people.

I remember my grandfather who was a 1stSgt in WWII stationed in England. He led his troops with distinction and honor and although he did not pass in combat , he struggled all his life with the memories he had of bombers coming back crippled and crashing or not returning at all and having to dispatch family letters and personal effects.

That is what it means to me.

Air Force Capt. Eric B. Das| Military Times

Honoring those who fought and died in Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2021 4:18 PM

2021-05-27T16:18:37-04:00

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn men who have died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." - General George S. Patton

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made May 27 at 2021 4:51 PM

2021-05-27T16:51:56-04:00

It always reminds me of the great memories I had together with my Dad.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2021 6:13 PM

2021-05-27T18:13:29-04:00

On Memorial Day I honor fallen Brothers and Sisters. I will usually attend Memorial Day events at Fort Vancouver except for Last year and this year. Throughout the year, I remember my Father (WWII. Korea), Uncles (WWII), and Vietnam buddies.

Response by SGT Brian Pasquarelli made Jun 15 at 2022 7:50 PM

2022-06-15T19:50:18-04:00

To honor those who fought and died for our country.

Response by SrA Darwin Nichols made Jul 27 at 2022 7:56 PM

2022-07-27T19:56:35-04:00

Hounering those that has passed on