Plan B Forum

Monday is Memorial Day, a day set aside for ceremonies and observances to commemorate those men and women who, when they were called, donned the uniform(s) of our country and paid the ultimate price of freedom on our behalf.  Almost everybody in this country has someone in their family or circle of friends who stepped up and answered the call, and it is only right to take some time out this weekend to quietly remember and reflect on their sacrifices for this country.

Unless, of course, you're the Commander in Chief.  Then, it's time to board your private, taxpayer-provided jet and wing your way to Tokyo to watch sumo wrestling and play golf with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe under the guise of a "summit meeting".

-"BB"-

Better that the Diaper Don is in Japan rather than sully the memory of those who gave their all by delivering a speech about his many tremendously big accomplishments.

-"BB"-

Of course I object to much of the stuff that goes on in American today with military service. The latest Jim Wright blog http://www.stonekettle.com asks to please stop thanking him for his service. I pretty much agree with it.

But in another thread here recently there was some reference to the story in the bible about the widow's mite. It is in a couple of the gospels.(Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4), The name of my cousin is on that Wall in Washington. Charlie was a country boy from a little town in Iowa. He was very ordinary, not much personal discipline, not much ambition, not much trouble in high school but not much success either. He was drafted and killed 28 days after he arrived in Viet Nam. Charlie was no hero. But he gave me and you everything he had.

When I leave this forum in a few minutes I will listen to Iris Dement and "There is a Wall"

snailgate.

It's pointless sending out FB memes thanking dead people for their service. I hate that.

It's the wrong day anyway. Should be Nov 11

MajGenl.Meade wrote:It's pointless sending out FB memes thanking dead people for their service. I hate that.
It's the wrong day anyway. Should be Nov 11

Agreed. Also, I find it disturbing when I go to our annual Memorial Day Parade and spectators around me are thanking every soldier, or police officer, or firefighter, or anyone dressed in a uniform for that matter, who passes by, thanking them for their service. It's maddening.

Memorial Day is for remembering those who have died in service to our country... PERIOD!

Burning Petard wrote:When I leave this forum in a few minutes I will listen to Iris Dement and "There is a Wall"

snailgate.

Thank you for that mention, SG. It's worth a listen for anyone here.

• Lyrics

There's a wall in Washington
and it's made of cold black granite
They say 60, 000 names are etched there in it
in that wall in Washington

A father, he traveled from far away
to walk the path 'til he finds that name
He reaches his hand up and traces each letter
The tears they fall as his memories gather
for the boy who filled his heart with pride
is now but a name that's been etched
in the side of this wall in Washington

A mother she traveled from far away
to walk the path 'til she finds that name
She reaches her hand up and traces each letter
The tears they fall as her memories gather
She feels the baby at her breast
but her heart it breaks because all that is left
is this wall in Washington

A boy, he traveled from far away
to walk the path 'til he finds that name
He reaches his hand up and traces each letter
He stares at the name of his unknown father
His heart is young and it's filled with pain
in anger he cries out

"Who is to blame for this wall in Washington
that's made of cold black granite?
Why is my father's name etched here in it
in this wall in Washington?"