MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Thanks Mas and thanks to your friend. So very very appropriate.

Went to Rolling Thunder bike rally in D.C. today.
Lots of thanks was given.

Mas, Thanks. Whenever my wife or I see a person wearing a military hat (cover!!) we thank him or her for their service to our country. The WW11 veterans are my favorites!!! The are true heroes, each one. Were it not for them, we would be speaking japanese or german today. Thanks again and may you, the Evil Princess and all your family enjoy the day that has been made possible by those great men who have “given all”. Regards, Semper-fi Mike

Hi Mas,

I have followed your writing for years now and want to thank you for your unselfish sharing of your knowledge.

If I might offer something to consider. I apologize for I have no gift for words.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those who died in service to their country. Memorial Day is a day about “Love”

Soldiers in combat fight for the soldiers who are with them in battle. They fight and some die, for the “Love” of the human being beside them, their brother. They fight and die so their brother is not taken from the one’s he “Loves”. They fight to return to the one’s they “Love”. They fight so no brother will need to join them in battle. Each veteran is a brother to those who’ve died in service to our country.

“Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends”

I propose, that on Memorial Day we should say thank you to every veteran and veterans families we meet. But first take their hand in yours, hold it, look in their eyes,. And say “Thank you, I love you!” If you can, hug them and kiss them. If they cry, don’t let them go.

To those here who have served “thank you, I love you!” If I could I would embrace you.

When I was a child, I would ask my dad what he did in the war and he would only tell me that he built bridges and just did his job so he could come home. I asked him if he was a hero and he told me all the hero’s were still over there buried in foreign soil.
He was in his eighties before he told me he would like to see some of the men he served with.
I located the surviving members of his battalion ,( The 297th Combat Engineers), and took him to his first reunion.
On D Day they landed on Utah beach and each engineer carried 70 lbs of high explosives to blow the beach obstacles. They were the first ones in. His Battalion built 42 bridges under fire. Dad worked on 26 of them.
During the battle of the bulge, his squad held 250 German troops trapped in a bunker for 10 days while cut off from reinforcements in the Hurtigan forest. They took the bunker on the tenth day along with 192 German prisoners.
One of the bridges he helped to build was the first pontoon bridge over Rhine River Bridge at Remagen
The Battalion motto was “The man in front of the man behind the gun.”
Dad passed away in his bed in my home on Jan, 18 in 2007 at the age of 96.
We are losing the WWII vets at an alarming rate. They gave so much and asked so little in return.
Thank a Veteran that we are free. God Bless them every one!

Thanks, Mas.

Thank you sir for this on this day, as a Veitnam war vet with two tours with the 1st and 25th inf div. this warms my heart as they come far and few between for us, I am just hoping that today every American will remember the vets from all services and all wars and say a prayer for them as they carry in their heart a wound that will never heal…

Yep, ran our local USPSA match Sat., even the tropical storm held off to let us have it. Being close to Ft. Stewart , FLETC and Kings Bay we have a high percentage of veterans (including myself) that shoot with us.

One thing to remember, Memorial Day is to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We have Veteran’s Day to remember those of us who did not have to pay that price (and I agree, every day should be a day we thank those who server and have served). On this day say a special prayer for those who did not come home to get to live the rest of their lives.

I try to shake the hand of every man/woman I meet wearing a military shirt/cover/uniform, and offer them my thanks. Most of those who’ve spent time on the pointy end of the stick will play down their service, and I’ve had several tell me that the true heroes were those who never returned. They will accept my thanks on behalf of those who paid the ultimate price. My own service was between wars…the Gulf war was winding down while I was in bootcamp, and I was out before the USS Cole (and done with inactive reserves well before 9-11). But I still enjoy talking and thanking those who put their lives on the line.

And I got to bring three new shooters to the range this weekend (Mom, nephew, and brother-in-law!), and watch my own dear wife fall madly in love with a .45 1911!

I don’t understand how you and all the others can “appreciate their service”?

Have you All not been exposed to the thoughts of Major General Smedley Butler, USMC?

Do you not understand war is a racket?

War Is a Racket
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig12/butler-s1.1.1.html

Do you not understand soldiers only fight for those who rule the empire and Not for freedom or liberty?

The Troops Don’t Defend Our Freedoms
http://www.lewrockwell.com/hornberger/hornberger64.html

“… the troops are doing everything but defending our freedoms. In fact, the more the troops defend our freedoms by bombing, invading, and occupying other countries, the more enemies they make of the United States and the more our freedoms get taken away in the name of “fighting terrorism” or “national security.” …” – from Freedoms I Wish the Military Were Defending
http://lewrockwell.com/vance/vance256.html

After reading comments like those here, it seems as if everyone is saying, Major General Smedley Butler didn’t know what he was talking about.

It seems like there’s a big disconnect with you all. On the one hand you’re against the encroachments on the Second Amendment, on the other hand you all praise the monster which advances against you.
You don’t see anything the least bit out of whack with that perspective?

Thank You for Your Service? No Thanks!
http://lewrockwell.com/barnett/barnett50.1.html

Clark, I respectfully suggest that the disconnect may be on your end.

All of us are capable of finding Lew Rockwell’s material on our own.

Most of us, however, can distinguish between criticism of the military/industrial complex, and a day devoted to the memory of individuals who’ve fought and died for their country.

I didn’t get a chance to go shooting on Monday but did so on Friday. Monday we had my uncle over for dinner. He is a WWII vet, 86 yrs old .( Army, Pacific Theater 7th div. 37th regiment). His unit followed the Marines in on the islands. I asked him what it was like and he just said if a Jap popped his head up, you took a shot at it and he tried to do the same to you. When the war ended he was in Korea. He did tell me once that the M3 grease gun was no good. This was the first I had ever heard anything bad about it. He said that a soldier guarding prisoners with one had his weapon discharge an entire magazine by accident.

My dad passed away about 6 years ago. He was in the Navy, WWII (Pacific Theater also). Ship assignment was an LCT ( Landing Craft Tank, I believe)A flat bottom with a bow ramp for delivering tanks or other equipment ashore. He was a gunners mate and the only action he saw was when they were strafed by a Jap and then decided their little fart barge wasn’t worth any more ammo. Yes, he called it a fart barge. His flotilla did ride out a typhoon for about 3 days. There used to be a web page detailing their ordeal.
My son was in the Navy, also. Ship assignment was the Nimitz CVN 68, Petty Officer 3rd class. He worked in engineering and was in during the 1st Gulf War. Actually, when the war started his ship was in dry dock. After that they were in the Persian Gulf enforcing the Southern no fly zone.
Having been drafted and then failing the physical, I was never in the military, so I can only theorize what combat must be like. (Vietnam would have been my War) I am sure that many vets signed up with thoughts of Country, Freedom etc. But during actual combat, I will bet that, that was the last thing on their minds. Getting out alive and fighting with and for your buddies would have preeminent on their thoughts. God Bless Them!

Heh. My guess would be that Mr. Clark has never had anything to do with either maintaining or defending his freedoms, only using them to scream and holler at those who do. Its sad, really, and he has my pity for as long as it takes me to finish typing this sentence. After that, I will think on him no longer.

How does your reply show how the disconnect is on my end?

If anything it seems the opposite.

Without the soldier there is no military/industrial complex.

Those soldiers didn’t fight and die for their country, they did so for those who wish for empire, and for a paycheck.

Did you read the links?

From your reply it seems you did not.

Praise of the military seems like the worship of a golden calf, such praise that disrespects the efforts of Major General Smedley Butler, USMC.
Now that guy was heroic.

I sincerely want to know, how can you be aware of the information on those links, yet still come across as if you took the blue pill?

http://www.backwoodshome.com/blogs/ClaireWolfe/2012/05/30/the-temptation-of-the-blue-pill/

The only conclusion I can come up with is, you’re not aware of that information,… or you (not just you) refuse to consider anything that encroaches on your perspective of how things are.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, if a Person accepts that war is a racket, why would anyone appreciate the efforts of those who engage in a racket?

And if a Person does not accept that war is a racket, why is that?

Clark, you come on here and disrespect America’s armed services personnel, and cite “The Matrix” ?!?!?

You need to taper off from fantasy, and try to replace it with history and reality.

Clark,

For what it’s worth, I do SOMEWHAT agree with SOME of what you’re saying. Even Mas said, implicitly, that he understands your displeasure with the military/industrial complex. It’s not like we’re ignoring or minimizing your main argument.

Heck, I’ll say it up front: I am thoroughly displeased with many instances of how the DoD has been conducting business over the last 15-20 years, and I have no doubt that the mil/ind complex has a significant hand in the problem- and probably has for some time.

However, the way you’re presenting your case- particularly your timing and ESPECIALLY your attitude- is embarrassing. It makes me feel like I should consider reversing my position, if being on “your side” means I’d be stuck with a bunch of self-righteous, sniveling jackasses.

Oh, and here’s my “street cred” though I gather you’ll probably dismiss it as not being as “enlightened” as yours: Air Force Officer with nearly 10 cumulative years of service, some of which included operations supporting the War on (some) Drugs- even though I thoroughly disagree with the vast majority of the way that “war” has been conducted since its very inception.

I’ve met a lot of bigots who have about the same kind of approach. I think you guys have more potential than that, we have too much in common.

I also think you’re being stubborn.
I speak truth, so does Major General Smedley Butler. If you want to spit on him, that’s on your end.
If you think what we present is disrespectful, you’re missing the bigger picture.

Some aspects of a film apply to today, if you cannot grasp that,… I think you’re being stubborn.

I’ve already provided the history.

It’s not about this side, or that side, it’s about truth and lies, and freedom vs. tyranny. The choice is yours.

Lots of People make up all kinds of reasons for not facing the truth. You shouldn’t be one of them.

“A hero is someone who stands up for his beliefs, a martyr is someone who dies for a cause, and a soldier is someone who dies for someone else’s profit.”

Maybe you’re wondering where I’m coming from, this is where:

The Christian’s Golden Calf

http://www.lewrockwell.com/vance/vance185.html

Join me.

Yeesh, what am I doing wasting my time on this? This thread is forgotten just like the vets who commit suicide everyday. They are throwaways, right? No one has mentioned them on Memorial Day. They Never will. No one has mentioned what causes them to take that route. … Ever think, why?

Clark, your welcome.

I am sure somewhere in one of those posts you said thank you to those who do defend the Constitution and your freedom to express yourself. In your posts you have repeatedly told me why I chose to be a soldier, without once asking any of us our reasons.

My policy is not to respond to these types of things (my ROTC time was at Kent State so I am used to it- even if it was 20 years after the shooting) however your timing and condescending attitude changed my mind.

Please read my original post prior to your joining in, Memorial Day was a time to remember and give thanks for those who died in service of our country (and yes it does include those who come home physically but not mentally/emotionally). Those we remember can no longer speak up, but their actions and sacrifice speak “louder than words”. You are welcome to your beliefs, and even welcome to post here as long as the hosts allow- but I would ask that you refrain from “explaining” why these warriors chose to serve. It is obvious that you do not know and have not chosen to ask those who can still reply.

I also find it interesting that every link you have posted (save the one that linked back to Backwoods Home) has been from one web site with one narrow view.

in my “oath” I swore to defend this nation from all threats, foreign and domestic. I fear our biggest terror threat has become domestic in the form of our own .gov.

Mas, you don’t get it. You fail to understand. The movie the Matrix is simply a “movie” to blue pill people.

Red pill people understand the profound concepts “hidden” in the movie. Kinda like reading Thomas Jefferson or John Locke.

Here is a quote to illustrate my point:
Spoon boy: Do not try and bend the spoon. That’s impossible. Instead… only try to realize the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Spoon boy: There is no spoon.
Neo: There is no spoon?
Spoon boy: Then you’ll see, that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.

Oh, and Mas; learn to see the difference between “you come on here and disrespect America’s armed services personnel, ”

and disrespect for the POLITICIANS that send young patriotic men off to die for BS reasons….I.E. Vietnam. and by extension, Korea, Granada, Panama, Iraq, Afghanistan and, oh hell, everyplace in the last 60 years. at least)

I did serve, ’88 to ’91. I was a believer in all the propaganda ….until I learned better.

Marine-MP: please cite some history books that you have read, because those I have read show me a different history than “USA saved the world and defeated Germany and Japan.”

The Soviet Union defeated Germany in 42 or 43 depending on what battle you want to call the turning point on the Eastern front.

and Yes, the USA defeated Japan…either before Pearl Harbor (funny how the carriers were not in port) or at Midway 1942.

The NAZIs systematically killed 16,000,000 non-combatants. Six million were Jews and ten million were Slavs, Gypsies mental patients, and anyone else that did not fit into their new world order. This is the history everyone is familiar with. After the war ended and Germany surrendered, a warehouse was located in Berlin. In that warehouse, enough poison gas canisters were found to kill an additional fifty million people. Since these canisters were only used on non-combatants, and the NAZIs were known to be meticulous record keepers and planners, one would have to assume that the men and women, who fought and died to defeat Hitler and his band of ilk, did indeed save the world.

God bless the men and women who gave their lives in defense of their brothers- and sisters- in- arms, our country, our way of life, our families, our friends, and us ourselves.

The warriors in my family have come from a long gray, green, and blue line dating back to the Spanish-American War, and continue through WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Granada, Somalia, Desert Storm I, Desert Storm II, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Family members have survived the Bataan Death March, occupation of their homeland, numerous overseas deployments, and the Pentagon attack.

My family adopted the United States of America because of America’s ideals of freedom and liberty, of courage and honor, of duty and sacrifice. We served with a sense of duty for the freedom and liberty we were so blessed with, freedom and liberty which other countries do not extend to their people. We know, for we have suffered under occupation and seen with our own eyes the hardships endured by citizens of foreign lands.

We have buried our friends and family members with the military honor due them, an honor which can not be bought, but which is earned through faithful and honorable service.

We are raising our children to follow our footsteps, crying in our hearts the same tears that our parents and ancestors before us cried for their children, for we know that freedom and liberty can only be guaranteed through continued vigilance. We proudly say that our children serve in the United States Armed Forces, around the world and at home, and that the words “This We’ll Defend”, “Semper Fidelis,” “Honor, Courage, Commitment,” “Semper Paratus,” and “Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence in All We Do” still matter in this world and are worthy virtues to live each day.

We weep with friends who have lost sons, daughters, husbands, wives, uncles, aunts, cousins, mothers, and fathers to the wars so bravely fought. We remember them, they are alive in our hearts and minds, and we will never forget their sacrifice. We are proud that our families raised such courageous heroes, for they valued the ideals of freedom and liberty more than their own lives, and willingly volunteered to stand in the gap for us.

May the souls of all our heroes rest in peace.

Thank God for people like Clark. He demonstrates that America is still free to choose and that is a good thing. He also demonstrates what is so wrong with America today – lack of common respect for other human beings. Disagree with how the civilian government uses the military all you want. Vote for those whom you share common ground with and hope they will make changes that suit you. If none exist become that candidate. Disrespect the individual who made the commitment to serve, to defend, and possibly to die so you can continue to voice your hate for whatever it is you feel is so wrong about this country and you have picked the wrong fight. The soil of this great country and of every other free nation on this planet is soaked with the blood of the Americans we honor today. If you can’t respect that at least have the decency enough to hold back your hate for just one day. Every vet, living and dead, will thank you for your sacrifice.

A Brotherhood of Men

By GMM3 Robert Collins
We did it not for the glory
Not for the medals or honor
We did it not for praise or accolade
We did it for each other – our family
Our brothers and sisters we served with
We stood as a Brotherhood of Men
Whether it was in a time of peace
Or in opposition of an act of evil
We dedicated our lives to each other
To defending our belief of freedom
The freedom to live, the freedom to choose
Even the freedom to protest our very purpose
Taking an oath to defend our Constitution
Even if that oath costs us our lives
For we know freedom isn’t free
It is paid for by the blood, sweat, and tears
Of the brave men and women who stand ready
Husbands, fathers, sons, daughters, wives and mothers
Americans who answer the call
And willingly go into harm’s way
So the rest of us can sleep peacefully at night
Content in the knowledge that we remain free
We honor all veterans on this day

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation
is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

John Fitzgerald Kennedy