Memorial Day 2015 ... what will you be doing to honor our fallen brothers and sisters-in-arms?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 16 May 2015 08:05:26 -0400

With Memorial Day right around the corner, I am curious to know how the RP community will be observing the day and remembering our fallen brothers and sisters-in-arms.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 16 at 2015 8:16 AM

PFC Tuan Trang — Sat, 16 May 2015 08:16:52 -0400

Paying respect.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 9:06 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:06:56 -0400

I usually try to attend a memorial service at one 0f the locale cemeteries.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 9:23 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:23:33 -0400

Volunteering at the VA

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 16 at 2015 9:37 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:37:50 -0400

Our Color Guard will be doing a flag raising ceremony.

Response by SGT James Hastings made May 16 at 2015 9:54 AM

SGT James Hastings — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:54:34 -0400

I'll be marching in our local parade as a volunteer with the American Red Cross.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 16 at 2015 10:45 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 16 May 2015 10:45:32 -0400

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad this is a two part answer.

Our kids (JROTC) participate in placing flags and the ceremony at our local veterans Cemetary. I will be with them.

I remember all those I/we lost; the ones I knew and served in combat with, and lost there. I also remember all those who gave there last full measure of devotion. I also try to remind everyone what Memorial Day is about; most Americans really have no idea what the day is about.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 1:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 13:25:20 -0400

Celebrating the lives of my fallen brothers

Response by SSG Jeff Binkiewicz made May 18 at 2015 12:40 AM

SSG Jeff Binkiewicz — Mon, 18 May 2015 00:40:39 -0400

Every year, the day before, I drive my 1956 Farmall 400 tractor 25 miles to our local towns Memorial Day parade. I stop at my fathers grave "Vietnam Vet" and place the Flag at his tombstone, clean the mown grass off his bronze plate and salute. On Memorial Day, after the parade, my family and I walk to cemetery for a town gathering to pay tribute to fallen. Then back to my aunts for a time honored picnic. My children are very respectful, remove their hats, and remain silent during the National Anthem and during Taps, unlike most of the wasteful youth of America. We attend no ball games, even if scheduled.(I hate when they schedule games on a day of rememberance)

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 18 at 2015 3:59 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Mon, 18 May 2015 03:59:32 -0400

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 18 at 2015 5:43 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Mon, 18 May 2015 17:43:33 -0400

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 18 at 2015 7:44 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 18 May 2015 19:44:51 -0400

Since I just moved, I'm checking out the local ceremony. For years I'd clean up Marvin's grave site most any time except around Memorial Day as the Seabees at Bangor could get out and do a much better job. I'd stop with some rags and Simple Green as the birds used the grave stone as a bombing target. I'd stop by when headed out to Sequim, Port Angeles, or Forks to referee soccer games.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 19 at 2015 3:25 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Tue, 19 May 2015 03:25:50 -0400

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 19 at 2015 6:21 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Tue, 19 May 2015 18:21:09 -0400

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 7:40 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 19:40:03 -0400

I will be handing out Forget Me Nots for the DAV.

Response by SGT Jimmy Carpenter made May 20 at 2015 11:31 PM

SGT Jimmy Carpenter — Wed, 20 May 2015 23:31:08 -0400

Unfortunately I'll have to work. That being said, I'll do what I do pretty much every day and think about my friends and brothers that didn't come back and those who ultimately lost their battle after returning home.

A couple years ago I was fortunate enough to be off on Mondays and I took my kids to the Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery. Afterwards we walked through the cemetery and straightened flags and cleaned off headstones and grave markers. This particular cemetery was established in the late 1800's for Civil War veterans. It was nice to be able to do that and my kids got a lesson in respect and honor.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 22 at 2015 6:29 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 22 May 2015 06:29:13 -0400

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 22 at 2015 6:29 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 22 May 2015 06:29:42 -0400

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 23 at 2015 9:51 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sat, 23 May 2015 09:51:48 -0400

http://lebanon.usembassy.gov/memorial.html

U.S. Embassy Beirut Memorial | Beirut, Lebanon - Embassy of the United States

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 24 at 2015 7:17 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sun, 24 May 2015 07:17:32 -0400

http://www.militarytimes.com/picture-gallery/military/2015/05/23/memorial-day-2015/27837157/

Gallery: Memorial Day 2015

Air Force Staff Sgt. Anna Melhado and Senior Airman Chelsea Shields, members of the Bagram Air Field Honor Guard, lower the flag during a Memorial Day retreat ceremony May 25 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 24 at 2015 7:21 AM

SFC Stephen King — Sun, 24 May 2015 07:21:14 -0400

I will take time to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Specifically I will remember a mentor who lost his battle to cancer 2 years ago. #HonorReflectRemember

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 24 at 2015 8:17 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 24 May 2015 08:17:18 -0400

I'll be standing a flag line with my fellow Patriot Guard Riders members at Purple Heart park in Tucson, AZ.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2015 6:18 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 May 2015 18:18:15 -0400

My first Memorial spent away from my wife and daughter in 8 years being that I'm away from them out in Indian Ocean :-(

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2015 6:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 May 2015 18:29:37 -0400

I took this photo this morning, standing near the front entrance of the Lehighton, PA American Legion Post 314.

Had the honor of being apart of a color guard/rifle detail.

We did a lot of marching around the city, concluding with a service at a local cemetery.

Great experience.

Response by A1C Charles Hagen made May 25 at 2015 6:39 PM

A1C Charles Hagen — Mon, 25 May 2015 18:39:32 -0400

spend time with family remembering

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 25 at 2015 8:36 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 25 May 2015 20:36:58 -0400

Working the help desk on RallyPoint. Lots of new membersjoining today and getting verified. AWESOME!

Response by SPC David S. made May 25 at 2015 8:46 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 25 May 2015 20:46:18 -0400

I tool my wife and daughter over to my father-in-laws grave site to place a flag. He along with his other 4 brothers all signed up for WWII - out the 5, 4 made it home. Very proud of my girls today - in the pouring rain no gripping they got out of the car and we paid our respects. There was a Marine color guard detail there not to far from where we where so we watched that as well then we went out for lunch all soaking wet. It was nice to see that as well as all the others out in the rain as well.