Thanks, Gene! 

Shall they never be forgotten. 

I have fought on 2 continents, countless lives lost.  Toughest job I ever had was Funeral Detail.  You stand in front of a grieving spouse or family member and calmly with a straight face tell them the country is grateful for their loved one's service.  Did it 117 times.  Why?  Respect.  

 

 

I’ve only done that funeral detail 16 times the experience was truly humbling. To pay honors to those that gave there all was the greatest honor of my time in the Army. Had a lot of late nights practicing D&C to make sure it was right. I’m truly grateful for having that honor. 

This time of year always reminds of my two deployments, I never got the chance or maybe I was avoiding facing it. But I never said farewell to my friends when things went south in a bad way.  There was always something else to be done. A mission a briefing always something. It may be time to deal with that. 

1 hour ago, Mijohnson1984 said:

But I never said farewell to my friends when things went south in a bad way.  There was always something else to be done. A mission a briefing always something. It may be time to deal with that. 

If you find your faith lacking, you may borrow mine.  

 

 

 

 

After our first burial at sea in 1969, this song was always the saddest.  Always gets too close to my heart.  Thanks, Gene.  

13 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

If you find your faith lacking, you may borrow mine.  

 

 

 

 

Faith I have in spades ♠️. Very good reminder of it right there.

What I dislike is having to remind people what the holiday is about. Everyone is so quick to forget the cost of there freedom. To many in my generation take everything for granted.

The freedom we enjoy was bought with the blood of our comrades. And, those who died in the Revolution and the wars that followed, are all comrades. Paying tribute once a year is the least we can do. It's done every day at Arlington. 

Those of us who served in war times and war zones clearly understand.  I also salute the flag in parades some 50 years later.