tecoyah

Regardless of how anyone feels about War.....this one or any other, today we must all accept the reality, and appreciate those who wear a uniform in our stead. Many have died, and far more will never be the same because they protect those things we all take for granted every day.

Thank you to all those who bleed for me and mine.

Period US UK Other* Total Avg Days
6 369 19 4 392 3.38 116
5 933 32 20 985 2.39 412
4 715 13 18 746 2.35 318
3 580 25 27 632 2.93 216
2 718 27 58 803 1.89 424
1 140 33 0 173 4.02 43
Total 3455 149 127 3731 2.44 1529

U.S. Deaths Confirmed By The DoD: 3441
Reported U.S. Deaths Pending DoD Confirmation: 14
Total 3455

ShaniFaye

I wrote this poem for my genealogy board, but I guess this is a good place to share it too

Is it the Same


A father's pride
A sweetheart's tears
A mother's heartache
A grandparents fears
Do the feelings change no matter the years?

Clothes packed up, food for the road
That last longing look "home"
Carefree days are gone
For now, all thats left
Is the unknown

How is it possible to feel alone
with thousands of comrades by your side
Thoughts of home are haunting whether asleep or awake
No where to run, no where to hide
Putting on a brave face for everyone else's sake

The desolation and sacrifice
It doesn't matter the century
It doesn't matter the cause
War is fickle, we all pay the price

American Revolution
The War of 1812
Civil War or World Wars
Korea, Vietnam, The Middle East
We lose a part of ourselves and them
Even if they come home
All in the name of freedom and peace

Let us always remember, and never forget
With the blood, sweat and tears
And conditions so rugged and tough
We enjoy the freedoms we have today
Because of people who said "Enough"

Written by
Shannon B
May 24th 2007

__________________
I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

ngdawg

Thank you.



We are all proud of you and humbled.

__________________
Don't blame me. I didn't vote for either of'em.

snowy

Thank you for all that you have given for our country, and for me and mine.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

kurty[B]

Thanks to all the current and past service members! Your service is much appreciated.

tenniels

Hi, sorry if this post sounds ignorant, but it's an honest question. Do you have Rememberance Day in the States? (Here in Canada it is Novemeber 11th). I just wondered if you have two days in the year to honour soldiers, or if it's just Memorial Day or what. I feel dumb now. I do not agree with the war at all, but I am a complete believer in honouring those past and present that serve our countries. I had written a poem in the sixth grade that was for the purpose of remembering, and it was quite nice (of course I am biased) but I will try to find it. Thanks to all those who work in service to all of us.

__________________

Jetée

In response to your query, most European countries as well as some western ones have a 'Rememberance' day, which was commerated to signify the day that there was an official armistice that resulted in the culmination of WWI. It is otherwise known as 'Armistice Day' to most other countries, or as it is known today in the states, 'Veterans' Day'. Most if not all the countries that recognize this day celebrate it at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

__________________
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

tenniels

Thank you for your response Jetstream. Is the USA one of the countries that celebrates Rememberance Day as well then (or is Veteran's Day on the same day as my Rememberance Day)? And yes, we have always done the the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month ceremonies, including durning school. What is the difference in Memorial Day and Veterans Day for you guys then? Again, I apologize for not being educated on this, but what a better way to learn than ask question right?

__________________

Jetée

Yeah, as I stated above, it is basically the same thing worldwide, save for a variation in namesake. The holiday is basically set up to honor and commerate the memory of the fallen in WWI, but it has now been incorporated to pay respects to all veterans of the military.

__________________
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

tenniels

Okay thanks. I guess what I was saying is that you have two holidays then, one in May and one in November. Sorry if you didn't think I was getting what you were saying, I did. I just was confirming that you indeed have two holidays with generally the same theme in two different months. Thanks for you answers.

__________________

Jetée

Um... okay, I see.

Defintion of the Memorial Day, according to the Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:

You see, we have one to honor the fallen, and another holiday to honor all veterans, past and present.

Hope now you understand, and that I explained it well enough, heh-heh

__________________
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world (that is the myth of the Atomic Age) as in being able to remake ourselves.

—Mohandas K. Gandhi

spindles

In response to tenniels:

In Australia, our main day for this is Anzac Day (25th April). It falls on the anniversary the Australian and New Zealanders landing at Gallipoli in WWI. It commemorates the fallen. It is a public holiday and has quite a large turnout/following.

Nov 11 is also observed, but is not of the same significance as Anzac day.

__________________
who hid my keyboard's PANIC button?

Bill O'Rights

Memorial Day is set aside to remember and to honor those who payed the ultimate price in the service of their country. Back in the Ameican Civil War, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day. It was a day set aside to "decorate", or place flowers upon, the graves of Union war dead. The Confederates quickly adopted the tradition, and Decoration Day evolved into Memorial Day.

Veterans Day is a day set aside to honor ALL veterans of the armed forces, living and dead.

__________________
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

"Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus

It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

tenniels

Thanks everyone, that is what I thought, I was just saying they are similar holidays, different months. That is all. It's not that I didn't get what anyone was saying *laughs* But yes, thank you again

__________________

serlindsipity

Shani- very very fitting poem.

__________________
My third eye is my camera's lens.

ShaniFaye

thanks I wondered if anyone actually read it

__________________
I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

warrrreagl

I read it, Shani. I'm just still trying to find a way to make "War for Southern Independence" fit in the spot where you have "Civil War."

__________________
Living is easy with eyes closed.

ShaniFaye

yeah well I wanted to say War of Northern Aggression (thats the way I always heard it growing up) but I decided to me more PC about it so as not to offend anyone hehehe

__________________
I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!