Poppies #2

[jcwit]

The GreatWar 1914-1918 (http://www.greatwar.co.uk/)

In Flanders Fields http://www.greatwar.co.uk/images/poppies/combined-poppies-800.jpg
by John McCrae, May 1915


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.



We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.



Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.



Mayhap by posting it here it will not create the hate by some as it did in the general forum.

If it does here it will also disappear also.

Not a threat, just a fact, in the words of John Wayne.

[DCP]

Thank you :goodpost:

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

[Pine Baron]

"Mayhap by posting it here it will not create the hate by some as it did in the general forum.

If it does here it will also disappear also.

Not a threat, just a fact, in the words of John Wayne."

How in the world could this create anything but sober reflection?

[Boaz]

I didn't see it , why would it bother anyone . Seems I have heard it my whole life . It slid off the board or was taken down ?

[Blackwater]

Don't let anything gitcha' down boys! We Christians have ALWAYS been dealt with pretty harshly by non-believers, and that's not likely to change. Just do what we were instructed to do, and let the results sort themselves out. This IS a battle, after all, between Good and Evil. And that'll always be the nastiest of all battles.

We know good and well that being a Christian is going to be hard, and that living up to the gift of salvation by simply standing up for our beliefs will be hard, and that it'll often be rejected despite our best efforts. But we were instructed to "cast our bread upon the waters," and were never assured it'd be returned as lovingly as it's meant to be cast with. Why? I don't have all the answers, but I know that striving against the odds makes us want and seek more and better answers. Maybe that's at least part of it?

Do what you feel moved to do, and let the hair go with the hide. It's really all we CAN do, and if nothing else, it lets God know whose side we're really on. Just sitting there and doing nothing leaves Him kind'a uncertain, doesn't it?

[Preacher Jim]

Darkness hates the light because it exposes sin and shame. This day we honor those who died for freedom.

[jcwit]

And again the majority of those who Honor servicemen Honor all veterans, the dead for whatever reason and the living, again, it is what it is.

It has morphed into a second Veterans day. All one needs to do is watch the news on TV and go to the parades tomorrow.

Furthermore the majority of Americans deal with tomorrow as a day off and to have a Bar-B-Q.


In our small town we read off the names of ALL Veterans who have passed, for whatever reason. We even read a few who grew up here and are buried elsewhere, my brother is one, served between WW2 and Korea. But he also is Honored.

Heck I even Honored my parents, both of them, neither of them served.



Our group here is but a very small slice of America, a very tiny slice.
Consider how small we are? There will be 7 times more folks at the Indy 500 than are total membership here!

[Pine Baron]

"Our group here is but a very small slice of America, a very tiny slice."
But a very encouraging "tiny slice", from all over and for sure a solid core. We've got to start somewhere. The time is now, the place is here.

[rl69]

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.
The Chaplin led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here 'neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you've given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in heaven
From now through evermore.
- C W Johnson

[jcwit]

As for me and mine we will Honor all those who have died in Combat, died from old age and those who served, and those who are serving.

It has turned into what it is, like it or not, we are coming close to what I stated in my OP.

I normally stick to what I believe and this is one time for me to do just that!

I will not waver from what I believe.

Does your local Legion, DAV, or whatever Org. only place flags on those who died in Combat?

[DCP]

Robert Bruce Curran
Specialist Four

PERSONAL DATA
Home of Record: Aurora, Illinois
Date of birth: Wednesday, 08/16/1950

MILITARY DATA
Service: Army (Selective Service)
Grade at loss: E4
Rank: Specialist Four
ID No: 333444634
MOS: 11D20 Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
LenSvc: Not recorded
Unit: F TROOP, 17TH CAV RGT, 196 INF BDE

CASUALTY DATA
Start Tour: Saturday, 09/12/1970
Cas Date: Thursday, 08/05/1971
Age at Loss: 20
Remains: Body Recovered
Location: Quang Nam, South Vietnam
Type: Hostile, Died
Reason: Gun, Small Arms Fire - Ground Casualty

ON THE WALL Panel 03W Line 123

You will never be forgotten
Miss you Bob

[HABCAN]

For ‘The Squirt’.

There was a time, in ’53, our outfit took a hill,
‘midst shot and shell, and Cold, and Hell
our young lads stormed, until
we’d won the day. What cost to pay?
Five wounded, and The Squirt.

He’s only five foot, in his boots, this little guy-next-door,
With pluck and grit, and ‘tough-as-****’
He’d made it in the Corps
And now he lay, a castaway,
A rag-bag, in the dirt.

“The President regrets……” they’ll say back home, to his Mom and to his Dad,
and his high-school chums and ‘the corner bums’
and his sweetheart weeping, sad,
unable to say why he died this day
in a hero’s OD shirt.

Well I’ll tell ya Mister, you need to know, I promise I won’t waste your time
for I vowed back then to ‘remember when’,
and I’ve set it to simple rhyme.
He died, in the end, for YOU, my friend,
without thought for fatal hurt.

Did he die for nothing, cold and alone, on that far-flung foreign hill?
Will you let him rest with some of our best
while you turn away further still?
Or take up your gun, and get out in the sun,
And do it, for The Squirt?

For Patriots all it’s a Muster Call, a thing a Man Must Do.
It’s a Heritage thing, “Let Liberty ring!”
and you know it to be true
that to shirk ‘The Call’ is to fail us all.
So just do it, for The Squirt.


HABCAN.


I wrote that years ago as a recruiting call for Appleseeds, and a sequel to 'The Muster Drum', but I think it's appropriate for today.

[jcwit]

That it is.

Thanks for posting HABCAN, many thanks.

[jcwit]

Watching the pre race program for the Indy 500.

They made mention of the few survivors of Pearl Harbor and they Honored them.

They also Honored all those who didn't make it.

They are now Honoring all those in the Service.

Quite a show to say the least.

[jcwit]

Anyone watching should not have a dry eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rl69]

Tomorrow is the day we honor those who gave all. to those who never grew old,to those who didn't get walk their girls down the isle,to those who didn't bounce their grandkids on their knee

I love respect all our veterans but tomorrow is for the ones who never made it home

[jcwit]

Tomorrow is the day we honer those who gave all to those who never grew old who didn't walk their girls down the isle who didn't bounce their grandkids on their knee

I love respect all our veterans but tomorrow is for the ones who never made it home

Fine, your opinion.

I stick to mine, Thank You Very Much!

As I've mentioned a number of times, the majority of those who actually Honor tomorrow Honor all Vets, all you need do is watch the news, or go to your local parade.

Like it or not, again, it has morphed into what it is.


The rest of the Majority have no idea what the day is even about!

[rl69]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=arSiv9PRo04

[DCP]

Memorial Day is a day to honor those who gave all

If you are a Vet who is told thank you for your service on that day.

You might say something like this

Thank you so much, but today is about my Brothers and Sisters who gave the full measure. May they rest in peace as we who served will not forget there sacrifice.

If you are a Vet that expects to be thanked on this day you are steeling the valor of those who gave all.

Just my nickels worth.

For you Bob, rest in peace

[jcwit]

Just got from an hours drive to place a flag on my older brothers grave. He served between WW2 and the Korean was, he plaed a Clarinet in the U.S. Army band in Washington, DC.

He already had a small flag at his grave as did all other Veterans at that Cemetery.

Maybe I should have gone around and removed flags from those who didn't die in combat, or from those that didn't serve in or during combat!

Wonder how that would have gone over?

[jcwit]

This thread is also getting close to where the other thread went!

The day is what it is, like it or not, I didn't change it, it morphed all by it's self, over the years.

[DCP]

You wont go to a Church that doesn't teach the word of God because the world has changed

But you make jokes about those who gave all. Maybe that not what you mean.

So just what does Memorial Day mean to you? Not what you think its change to

[jcwit]

You wont go to a Church that doesn't teach the word of God because the world has changed

Say what?

[jcwit]

But you make jokes about those who gave all. Maybe that not what you mean.

Joke??????????????

You must be joking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jcwit]

So just what does Memorial Day mean to you? Not what you think its change to

I believe I have made myself very clear, both in my meanings & in my feelings.

If you have a problem rereading all my previous posts and understanding, I just do not know how to help you, you might check out your comprehension skills.

[DCP]

Say what?

So you don't even remember what you said about your not going wife church

[DCP]

I believe I have made myself very clear, both in my meanings & in my feelings.

If you have a problem rereading all my previous posts and understanding, I just do not know how to help you, you might check out your comprehension skills.

If this is your statement! You truly dishonor the war dead. So be it

[jcwit]

So you don't even remember what you said about your not going wife church

Good Grief man, I refuse to associate myself with a church that condones the murder of unborn children.

Nor, do I associate with a church that condones homosexual relations.

Can't get much clearer than that.

[jcwit]

If this is your statement! You truly dishonor the war dead. So be it

You sir are full of it, and I'm sure you know what IT is.

Can't fix stupid!




Your turn to get the last word.

[DCP]

You sir are full of it, and I'm sure you know what IT is.

Can't fix stupid!




Your turn to get the last word.

It will be OK 70x7

Go with God

[jcwit]

No longer will bother with the troll, gotta go and do things that actually amounts to something and are more profitable.


By-By

[DCP]

Tomorrow is the day we honor those who gave all. to those who never grew old,to those who didn't get walk their girls down the isle,to those who didn't bounce their grandkids on their knee

I love respect all our veterans but tomorrow is for the ones who never made it home

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=169131&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1464545033http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=169132&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1464545054http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=169133&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1464545093


Great post

Thank you

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Thanks, JC, for your original post. I think I know what the day is all about. Personally, I was a cold warrior, served 1962-1964 in the 3rd Infantry Div. in Germany. The Viet Nam War was just getting going, we only had advisors there, and our big expectation was a massive attack by the Warsaw Pact. Ask someone now days, "What is or was the Warsaw Pact" and you just get blank looks. We were stationed fairly close to the Czech border and there was a Soviet tank battalion stationed just on the other side of the border. It was claimed that they could be on top of our barracks in 2 hours, so every month we had "alerts" where we would be rousted out of our bunks at about 0200 by the 1st Sgt. and we had 20 minutes to clear the post or we'd get to do it all over again a few nights later. We'd go out to the boonies and get set up in blocking positions, then perhaps return to the barracks in a few hours, or then again we might stay out for a couple of weeks. We were young, hot blooded, and foolish, and hoping that the invasion would happen just because of immaturity and boredom. Now I realize that most of us would have died due to the overwhelming conventional strength that the Soviets were able to muster and the very slow reinforcements we could have expected to arrive from the U.S. Occasionally we'd take a turn at patrolling the border and give them "the bird". They'd track our vehicles with their tank cannons. But it never happened, and I returned to civilian life to have an enduring marriage and two grandchildren. When the Viet Nam War Memorial (The Wall) was created I looked through the list of names several times looking for buddies that had re-enlisted and perhaps gone there, but found none. Then one day, perhaps in the middle '80s my mother said to me, "Did you know that Dougie Rix got killed in Viet Nam?" He was a childhood playmate, probably ages 9-11. We used to visit his grandparents ranch in the summers and they always arranged to have their grandson Douglas there. I did another search of The Wall and found him, SSgt. Douglas Rix, Grass Valley, CA, died of multiple fragmentation wounds. The only fellow of the 50,000+ who gave their lives there that I knew. He left behind a wife and son, whom I never met. I know they'll be missing him, especially tomorrow, and likely do so every day.

Over the years, among other hobbies, I became a student of military history. I think that every vet thinks the war they were involved in was the worst possible war, but certainly World War I, about which "Flanders Fields" was written was one of the very worst. Thanks again for posting it.


I am at a bit of a loss to know what church attendance has to do with Memorial Day. But we should thank God that there have always been men ready to step up to the defense of our Country and willing to make the supreme sacrifice if necessary. I doubt if Douglas wanted to die, but he signed on to do a job and saw it through. I think I do know what the day is about.

[lightload]

Thank you for writing this informative post. I lost three friends in Vietnam.

[Pine Baron]

It's nice to see this thread is back on track. Never forget!

[Blackwater]

Good to see it back on track too, but thanks for the asides also. They kind'a "flesh out" the real meaning of today.

[jcwit]

Just got back from the Memorial Festivities that started at 10 AM this morning.

I drove the float behind the Color Guard as usual, There was cheering and hand clapping, picture taking as the float full of Vets went by.

After the speeches which, BTW the Dead & the living Vets were mentioned, we proceeded to the Cemetery.

All the names of Vets buried there were read off no matter their cause of death, flags had been placed at every Veteran Grave, irregardless of cause or date of death.

Folks, we can argue this till He!! freezes over, but the fact of the matter is, it HAS morphed into what it is. You may not like it, You may not like my opinion, I may not like your opinion, but it is what it is.

And that is it!

[jcwit]

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.


He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

[Blackwater]

Thanks for your work today in the parade, and that wonderful poem. I'll never hear or read it without being greatly moved by it. So much truth there!

[DCP]

JUST A COMMON SOLDIER
He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.

And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.


He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.

Wonderful poem for Veterans Day

You Steal Stolen Valor for those who died for this NATION. I for one am ashamed of you.
YOU have VETERANS DAY. There is nothing wrong with putting flags on all Veterans today

Sir, you and I are not in the same "team" as those that gave all. To steal from these men and woman is cowardly.
Your just a old man that wants to feel important on a DAY that is meant for those who died in service for this Nation

No matter how many ways or times you try to make this true. It will never be!!!!!!!!!!!!
You see there are too many Honorable MEN left, that will stop you

FOR YOU BOB

[jcwit]

Wonderful poem for Veterans Day

You Steal Stolen Valor for those who died for this NATION. I for one am ashamed of you.
YOU have VETERANS DAY. There is nothing wrong with putting flags on all Veterans today

Sir, you and I are not in the same "team" as those that gave all. To steal from these men and woman is cowardly.
Your just a old man that wants to feel important on a DAY that is meant for those who died in service for this Nation

No matter how many ways or times you try to make this true. It will never be!!!!!!!!!!!!
You see there are too many Honorable MEN left, that will stop you

FOR YOU BOB


For crying out loud, when are you going to realize, I did nothing, this all happened over the years, the American people did it to themselves. I'm showing you the reality of what happened, anbd what it has become.

I wasn't the one standing along side the road cheering, clapping or whatever as I pulled the float with living Vets?


You Steal Stolen Valor for those who died for this NATION. I for one am ashamed of you.
YOU have VETERANS DAY.

If you truly feel that that way you can't see the forest for the trees, and you sir are an A--, pure and simple.

You really need to get out more and open your eyes and see what's going on, either that you're either blind as to what actually happening or refuse to accept reality!

Your logic is depressing, or foolish, not sure which.

[jcwit]

Wonderful poem for Veterans Day

You Steal Stolen Valor for those who died for this NATION. I for one am ashamed of you.
YOU have VETERANS DAY. There is nothing wrong with putting flags on all Veterans today

Sir, you and I are not in the same "team" as those that gave all. To steal from these men and woman is cowardly.
Your just a old man that wants to feel important on a DAY that is meant for those who died in service for this Nation

No matter how many ways or times you try to make this true. It will never be!!!!!!!!!!!!
You see there are too many Honorable MEN left, that will stop you

FOR YOU BOB

As far as I'm concerned you no longer exist.

To reply to one such as you is not worth my time or trouble.

It's stupid to discuss with a F---.