Commemorating Memorial Day
1northcoin
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Reflecting upon all those who have served their country as flags are placed in their memory.
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1northcoin
Posts: 4,930 ✭✭✭✭✭
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Sad that this is now being called Memorial Weekend.
My family all visit the graves of dead relatives - some served and lost their lives in military service, but most didn't - they just enjoyed the freedom and way-of-life secured for them by those that did.
Last year's mid-COVID hike at this same time of the year into the same park that we ventured into this week again brought Moose Sightings. It was one of the few escapes from the then imposed lockdown. It is reflective to think back and be able to now appreciate the daily freedoms that have become possible.
Wishing all an enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend as we keep in mind the sacrifices of those who have served their country to preserve it for us today.
@1northcoin .... Impressive pictures and beautiful area. Looks like the PNW. Cheers, RickO
Amen.
Barbecues and beer for people who have no sense of history. Overstated, but I'm saddened.
Agreed that there are definitely similarities to the rocky beaches of the Pacific Northwest with the Oregon coastline especially coming to mind.
On Memorial Day in 2010, I came up with the idea of a commemorative coin for the brave soldiers who gave their all in World War I. It took 5 years to have legislation passed and signed into law. My inspiration for the coin was Frank Buckles who entered the war at the age of 16 as an ambulance driver and was the last American veteran from the war at the age of 110. Up until his death, he was leading the fight to have a memorial placed on the Mall in D.C. for the veterans of the war. Sadly, a memorial is being built in D.C. but it is not at the Mall.
There were many people involved in making my dream a reality. However, there was quite a backlash. Some people did not support the coin because they said that "it celebrated war" or that there was no sense in making the coin since "all of the soldiers were dead."
I can tell you as a former school teacher that we generally do a poor job of teaching the significance of the war. I remember my grandfather telling me that the reason he did not like to travel on vacations is that his travel to France lasted enough for a lifetime.
An interesting story is that I was invited to the Philadelphia Mint along with several senators and congressman to mint coins as part of a celebration. I minted coin #10. I was told that I could not take the coin with me because they were not legal tender until the coins were released for sale. Two months later, the Mint contacted me and said that they would send the coin to me. . . after I paid the $52.95 (or whatever the price was). I paid for the coin and it was put on display at the ANA museum next to the cap that Frank Buckles wore during the war. I donated the coin to the ANA and bought another for my collection.
When I drive through Santa Fe, New Mexico and see the countless thousands of WW2 grave markers, I realize this small Native American/ Hispanic town probably gave up a disproportionate amount of young men.
Yes they did it for are freedom that some are trying to take away.
Hoard the keys.
Nice and very apropos.
Canton, CT 2020 Memorial Day.
Bob Bojanek KIA November 30, 1970
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Don
Thanks for the original efforts and thanks for sharing.
@hammer1
"We owe them a debt that we cannot repay .... all we can do is to remember ...."
Thanks for sharing that tribute to those we commemorate on Memorial Day from a past president.
I was saddened this past week when I learned of the untimely death of a young man who was the grandson of a close friend. Even though he and his companion lost their lives on a rain swept Texas roadway, I can only imagine that loss multiplied by thousands of others for the many families of those young men to whom the president made reference.
I lost my best friend in Vietnam in January of '68 during the Tet offensive so Memorial day is quite reflective for me.
The best of us never came home
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My father was a merchant marine during WWII on supply ships in them convoys. He passed 3 years ago but that man flew the US flag proudly every day!! Then the entire front of the house had American flags covering it during the Memorial day weekend
"When they can't find anything wrong with you, they create it!"
My two tours of duty in Vietnam profoundly affected me for decades, fortunately I made it to the other side and I am grateful for my life today. I think about all who made the ultimate sacrifice. Have a nice Monday wherever you are.
Peace Roy
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Added from last year's visit to Pearl Harbor:
My eyes still tear up on this day.
USN 1970-1976.
Wayne
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Mine do too Wayne ... mine do too
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“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
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United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone
John Basilone, of Raritan New Jersey, was a United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who received the Medal of Honor for heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle for Henderson Field in the Guadalcanal Campaign, and the Navy Cross posthumously for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Iwo Jima.** He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both of these decorations in World War II.
**
⭐Sergeant Basilone's Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
⭐Sergeant Basilone's Medal of Honor citation reads as follows:
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its gun crews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
⭐Gunnery Sergeant Basilone's Navy Cross citation reads as follows:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Leader of a Machine-Gun Section, Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Consistently daring and aggressive as he fought his way over the battle-torn beach and up the sloping, gun-studded terraces toward Airfield Number 1, he repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of exploding shells and later in the day coolly proceeded to the aid of a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages, skillfully guiding the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite the overwhelming volume of hostile fire. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. Stouthearted and indomitable, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone, by his intrepid initiative, outstanding skill, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of the fanatic opposition, contributed materially to the advance of his company during the early critical period of the assault, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant Basilone and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.
John Basilone gave his life for his country on February 19, 1945 at the age of 28. He lies in rest at the Arlington National Cemetery. Lest We Forget.
My Grandpa got two Purple Hearts fighting fascists and nazis...he saw A LOT of action. His second Purple Heart was on D-Day. He was one of the most loving non-judgmental people I've ever known.
He and my Grandma both fell in love with the places he was sent to go kill people...Japan and Germany among others. My little brother has now lived in Japan for almost 30 years and is married to his wonderful Japanese wife and has 4 kids...even though he can never become a Japanese citizen. Grandpa lost plenty of his friends in those battles and he gets properly honored on Veteran's Day...On Memorial Day I'm proud of those who didn't make it like Grandpa did and gave us the ultimate selfish sacrifice and I'm proud of my family too.
I'm 51...I was never taught in school that Memorial Day was started by former slaves in 1865. We should teach this to those who don't realize it. My Grandpa would've been quite proud of all of this.
On May 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC, formerly enslaved African Americans honored hundreds of Black soldiers who were killed in the Civil War but who were buried in a mass grave. They unearthed those bodies and gave each a proper burial and held a parade of about 10,000 with families and children in those soldiers' honor.
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"If it's a penny for your thoughts and you put in your two cents worth, then someone...somewhere...is making a penny." - Steven Wright
Turned out to be a memorable day. We had to wait three hours to get through the military gate to gain access to the National Cemetery, but once in it was worth it getting to see the thousands of United States Flags that had been placed on each grave to honor the veterans buried there - including my own father.