Two more great posts for Memorial Day

My hat's off to Dagney on this Memorial Day.
I have just read Dagney's post for this Memorial Day, and it is very good. Thank you for all you do for our troops, Dagney. May the wind always be at your back, and may God's blessings be more than you've ever dreamed.

A wonderful Memorial Day post at Bereft's.
I read this yesterday, but I believe it is one that should be shared. Serendip is a very good writer and friend. She keeps the world aprised on what is happening in Iran, and she is a true-blue American. Thank you for the wonderful post, Serendip. Have a nice Memorial Day!

Memorial Day 27 May 2007

Today my heart is filled with sadness. I know it is not supposed to be, but I have never lied to you before. I am not about to start now. I have decided to share with you some prior Memorial Day posts. I hope you enjoy them.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. At 3 pm, the nation will take one minute out of the year for a moment of silence to reflect on all the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms. I think we should do this more often, but I hope you join me tomorrow at 3 pm, wherever you are.

Blackfive has a very moving and somber article about tomorrow. Please take the time to read it. They took the time for us.

To all the Viet Nam Vets: Welcome home.

La di da La di da La di da. La di da Da di da Da di da da. Da da di Da da di da. Da di di Da di da da di da da. Didada dadidada.

Well, you get the idea. (Sorry about that. I just looked at it, and it does NOT make sense. And I'm the one who wrote it! lol)

That is (was supposed to be) my parade for you. I know it is simple and probably off tune, but I wanted to at least do something.

Thank you to all of you who have risked it all to keep us free. I appreciate all your sacrifices. That includes you, too, family members and other loved ones. Thank you so very much.

Update: Greyhawk has a moving post today. You will surely be blessed by reading it. You may even find peace. After all, isn't that what we all want?

Update: Smash has a wonderful coverage of some heroes you would be proud to have met. If you want to know what is going on in the hearts of our vets this day, read this article. You will understand why they love each other so much.

Yes, they are proud to serve the greatest country in the world. Yes, they miss their families. Yes, they have their own points of view. Yet, they all come together when the time is necessary to protect you and me. These are remarkable men and women.

Be proud that they live amongst us, and be honored they chose to protect us. Be grateful they sacrificed for us, and do not forget their loved ones they have left behind.

This is a day of mixed emotions for them. They are grateful their loved one(s) is being remembered, while at the same time would much rather have them here to celebrate this day. This may be healing or too painful. Only God knows, and only time can help, if at all. Pay your respects. Please.

Update: You should see the pictures over at Willisms. He also has some precious words for this remarkable day. Sometimes the shorter the words, the more they say. Go over and check it out.

This one was written May 29, 2005. This next one was written the next day of the same year.

I pray your Memorial Day was a happy and healthy one. I also pray for our men and women who were unable to join us either because they are on duty risking their lives, shuffling paper (that is important, too), or they just happen to be with the Father. Whatever the case, I remember you.

I thank you for all you have risked for me. I understand the struggle of the ones you leave behind...well, not really. How could I? I pray for the Peace that the world does not understand be upon them. Thank you all.

I feel so honored and humbled to live in a country where people would do this for me. Who am I? I am no one. I am everyone. What a great society in which we live. Where an idea is worth more than gold, a friend is true to the end, and we are free to believe in whomever we choose and how.

I believe in Jesus Christ. He has never failed me, while I cannot say the same for myself. I thank You, Lord, for this day. Please keep the USA's Military, their family's and other loved ones, and our coalition partners protected from harm and evil. Grant them coolness in the heat, heat in the cold, food that doesn't taste awful, grace, mercy, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, guidence, strength, and complete and total Victory over the enemy. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

I would like to link some other posts that are very special about today:
Michelle Malkin.
Roger L. Simon.

There were actually more links, but they either are no longer accessible or they are included above.

It is my pray that our men and women in uniform are hidden underneath God's wings, that their families are provided for and well, and that each American remembers this day with the reverence it so richly deserves. Thank you for your service, God bless you, and welcome home.

Pat Boone to Honor Guardsmen on Memorial Day

Entertainer Pat Boone will celebrate his 50th year in show business with a trip to Washington, D.C., for a series of Memorial Day festivities this weekend and to promote his National Guard documentary For My Country.

Mr. Boone debuted the song For My Country: The Ballad of the National Guard at the 128th NGAUS General Conference last year in Albuquerque, N.M.

On Saturday, he will attend, along with Gary Sinise and other stars, the debut of the G.I. Film Festival at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, and introduce the For My Country documentary.

For Sunday's 20th anniversary of Rolling Thunder, the massive bikers get together, Mr. Boone will perform as one of the event's headliners. The spiritual group, Valor, who are also featured on the For My Country track, will also appear with Mr. Boone.

On Monday, Mr. Boone will preside as honorary marshal for the paralyzed veterans in the Washington, D.C., Memorial Day parade, which attracts upwards of 150,000 spectators.

He will also perform at the parade pre-show event in front of the National Archives building.

For more information, please visit www.patsgold.com.

Veterans to Wear Medals Memorial Day

Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Jim Nicholson is urging veterans across the country to wear their military medals on Memorial Day.

"Wearing their medals demonstrates the deep pride our veterans have in their military service," Mr. Nicholson said. "It also reminds all American citizens - especially the young - about the sacrifices our veterans have made for their freedom."

He encouraged veterans to display their medals no matter what they are doing on Memorial Day, but especially when attending public events.

Originally called Decoration Day, the day began as recognition for those who have died serving in the United States armed forces.

Debate surrounds the first official Memorial Day, but it emerged just after the Civil War.

In addition to Memorial Day, Mr. Nicholson also said he believes the wearing of medals will become a tradition at other times. He first urged veterans to wear their military decorations last Veterans Day under a program called the Veterans Pride Initiative.

Mr. Nicholson said he hopes veterans also will wear their medals on Independence Day and when attending other patriotic events.

Major U.S. veterans organizations have endorsed the Veterans Pride Initiative.About 24 million living Americans have served in the armed forces, with nearly 18 million wearing the uniforms of the U.S. military during times of war and conflict.

The VA's Web site at www.va.gov/veteranspride provides additional information, including how to replace mislaid medals or confirm the decorations to which they are entitled.