I got inspired to write a little something for Memorial Day. Please read...

[IB4TECH]

I Hear America Crying

I hear America crying, those varied sorrows I hear.

Those of the daughters as they text their friends, and
Those of the sons who vow to make amends.

I hear America crying.

Those of the wives who will never see life the same,
and those of the husbands whose emotions are down the drain.

I hear America crying.

Those of the fathers who wished they had offered better guidance,
Those of the mothers who can't bear the silence.

I hear America crying.



I hope Walt Whitman will excuse me this time but I had to do it.

[Newt]

I Hear America Crying

I hear America crying, those varied sorrows I hear.

Those of the daughters as they text their friends, and
Those of the sons who vow to make amends.

I hear America crying.

Those of the wives who will never see life the same,
and those of the husbands whose emotions are down the drain.

I hear America crying.

Those of the fathers who wished the had offered better guidance,
Those of the mothers who can't bear the silence.

I hear America crying.



I hope Walt Whitman will excuse me this time but I had to do it.

Thanks for that. I've been trying to avoid thinking about this day. Memorial Day is an oft misunderstood holiday. Many believe that it's a time to thank a vet or a current service member, but, while that's never a bad thing to do, it's not really a day designed for that sort of celebration. Instead, Memorial Day (Decoration Day) was instituted to honor those who have fallen in service of their country.

Today, I affixed a Marine Corps flag to the side of my house. I hadn't done this previously because I was trying to bury the thought that my son is out there serving in the most dangerous of zones doing the most dangerous of things. It's hard to explain, but my pride and emotion got the better of me today. I had approached his deployment by buckling down and trying not to think about what he's doing. It seems to me that the best way to make it through this period is to become numb to it. But today, I allowed the emotion to get to me. I am so very proud of him for choosing a life that he could have easily avoided and shunted. He could have done anything with his VT college degree, but he chose early on that his country is worth personally defending. On this day, I lift my head and publicly ask God to protect him. All other days, I bow my head in quiet silence and pray that God deliver him safely home before Christmas.

These wars are painful. They aren't easy. They aren't simple black and white. The brave soldiers who have given their lives deserve remembrance at the very least. Each of them believed in service before self. Each of them had hopes, desires, and plans. Each of them gave everything they had. Memorial Day, to me, is a unique day. I'll be glad when it goes away so I can lower my head and plow through the next 7 months.

[IB4TECH]

Thanks for that. I've been trying to avoid thinking about this day. Memorial Day is an oft misunderstood holiday. Many believe that it's a time to thank a vet or a current service member, but, while that's never a bad thing to do, it's not really a day designed for that sort of celebration. Instead, Memorial Day (Decoration Day) was instituted to honor those who have fallen in service of their country.

Today, I affixed a Marine Corps flag to the side of my house. I hadn't done this previously because I was trying to bury the thought that my son is out there serving in the most dangerous of zones doing the most dangerous of things. It's hard to explain, but my pride and emotion got the better of me today. I had approached his deployment by buckling down and trying not to think about what he's doing. It seems to me that the best way to make it through this period is to become numb to it. But today, I allowed the emotion to get to me. I am so very proud of him for choosing a life that he could have easily avoided and shunted. He could have done anything with his VT college degree, but he chose early on that his country is worth personally defending. On this day, I lift my head and publicly ask God to protect him. All other days, I bow my head in quiet silence and pray that God deliver him safely home before Christmas.

These wars are painful. They aren't easy. They aren't simple black and white. The brave soldiers who have given their lives deserve remembrance at the very least. Each of them believed in service before self. Each of them had hopes, desires, and plans. Each of them gave everything they had. Memorial Day, to me, is a unique day. I'll be glad when it goes away so I can lower my head and plow through the next 7 months.

Godspeed to your son. I appreciate his service.

[Maroon Baboon]

Nice. I don't think we think of, or do enough for families of the fallen. It is a tough life and they have given everything.

I Hear America Crying

I hear America crying, those varied sorrows I hear.

Those of the daughters as they text their friends, and
Those of the sons who vow to make amends.

I hear America crying.

Those of the wives who will never see life the same,
and those of the husbands whose emotions are down the drain.

I hear America crying.

Those of the fathers who wished the had offered better guidance,
Those of the mothers who can't bear the silence.

I hear America crying.



I hope Walt Whitman will excuse me this time but I had to do it.

[Dogbert]

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived." -Gen. George S. Patton

I Hear America Crying

I hear America crying, those varied sorrows I hear.

Those of the daughters as they text their friends, and
Those of the sons who vow to make amends.

I hear America crying.

Those of the wives who will never see life the same,
and those of the husbands whose emotions are down the drain.

I hear America crying.

Those of the fathers who wished they had offered better guidance,
Those of the mothers who can't bear the silence.

I hear America crying.



I hope Walt Whitman will excuse me this time but I had to do it.