[noted1017]

All GHR have a great weekend. Be safe if you are traveling. On the other hand if you are having family or friends over have fun. Take a moment to thank the men & women that gave their all so we have the freedom to enjoy our way of life. FLY THE FLAG !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sbauman2]

And to you too Rik

Memorial Day is probably a bit more meaningful to us veterans because most of us had friends who gave their lives. As for flying the flag; mine flies 24/7 and is illuminated at night per the rules and laws regulating the flag.

 

[1937Austin]

We fly the flag at all important holidays, and Memorial Day counts up at the top of our list!
As Steve mentioned, I think us veterans all had friends who didn't make it home alive, so I pay tribute to my friends and relatives who gave so much for the rest of us!
My dad was born in 1904 and obviously couldn't serve in WWI. Then WWII came around and he was too old to serve. He always regretted not serving in the military, so he encouraged all three of us boys to join and serve. My youngest brother was the only one who made a career of the military.

 

[sbauman2]

Great story for all Memorial Days

Van T Barfoot died..

Remember
the
Guy who wouldn't take
The flag pole
Down
on his Virginia
Property a
While back?
You might
Remember the news story several
Months ago
About a crotchety old man in
Virginia who
Defied his local Homeowners
Association,
And refused to take down the
Flag pole on
His property along with the large
American flag
He flew on it.
Now we learn
Who that old man was.
On June 15,
1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in
Edinburg,
Texas . That probably didn't make
News back
Then.

But

Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944,
Near
Carano
Italy ,
That same Van T. Barfoot
Who had in
1940 enlisted in the U.S. Army, set
Out alone to
Flank German machine gun
Positions
From which gunfire was raining
Down on his
Fellow soldiers.
His advance
Took him through a minefield but
Having done
So, he proceeded to single handedly
Take out
Three enemy machine gun positions,
Returning
With 17 prisoners of war.
image

And if that
Weren't enough for a day's work, he
Later
Took on and
Destroyed three German tanks
Sent to
Retake the machine gun positions.
image
That probably
Didn't make much news either,
Given the
Scope of the war, but it did earn
Van T.
Barfoot, who retired as a Colonel after
Also serving
In Korea and Vietnam , a well
Deserved
Congressional
Medal of Honor.
image
image
What did make
News...Was his Neighborhood
Association's
Quibble with how the 90-year-old
Veteran chose
To fly the American flag outside
His suburban
Virginia home. Seems the HOA rules
Said it was
OK to fly a flag on a house-mounted
Bracket, but,
For decorum, items such as
Barfoot's -foot
Flagpole were "unsuitable".
image
image
Van Barfoot
Had been denied a permit for
The pole, but
Erected it anyway and was facing
Court action
Unless he agreed to take it down.
image
Then the HOA
Story made national TV,
And the
Neighborhood Association rethought
Its position
And agreed to indulge this
Aging hero
Who dwelt among them.
image


"In the

Time I have left", he said to the
Associated
Press, "I plan to continue
To fly the
American flag without interference."

As
Well he should.

And if any of his neighbors had taken a

Notion to
Contest him
Further, they might have done well to
Read his
Medal of Honor citation first. Seems it
Indicates Mr.
Van Barfoot wasn't
Particularly
Good at
Backing down.
image
image
If you got
This email and didn't pass it on -
Guess what -
You need your butt kicked
I sent this
To you, because I didn't want MY butt kicked!

WE ONLY LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!
AND, BECAUSE OF OLD MEN
LIKE VAN BARFOOT!

 

[sbauman2]

I got this from Vall and wanted to post it for all to watch, listen and think about what we have and remember it's the dead as well as the live veterans we have to thank for our freedoms, not the worthless politicians who seems more intent on taking away our freedoms.

Steve Bauman
Army, 11Bravo, Spec 4
1969-1971

 

[Road Angels]

Ditto to everything said here...,The machine gun nests have moved from Germany to Washington DC...and the media are there supporting ground troops...don't support their advertisers...Steve I knew you would be the first to chime in on this day...........Long live the American Made Hemi.....sorry just had too...lol

 

[manicmechanic]

My flag has been flying UPSIDE DOWN for the last 20 years. FOR OBVIOUS REASONS!!!

 

[manicmechanic]

 

[manicmechanic]

It has become a disgrace what has happened. Now the new generation, I think 40% think we should have never gotten involved in WWII! WAAAA!!

 

[manicmechanic]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DF2N7bS-g4A/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCOgCEMoBSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLBT290H7UR8snMSYQK_Q70s71PjPA

 

[1937Austin]

Last night I watched the Memorial Day concert for our warriors on PBS. Had some great singers on it performing, and was hosted by Gary Sinise and Joe Montegna. The stories told in the words of families who lost loved ones, and soldiers who served were well done by some lesser known actors. They were amazing stories, and I really enjoyed the whole event on PBS. Not a political person there to promote themselves, just a salute to many who deserve it so much.

Featured Stories | National Memorial Day Concert | PBS

Learn more about the featured stories of fallen and wounded service members and their families on the National Memorial Day Concert.

www.pbs.org

 

[noted1017]

All GHR have a great weekend. Be safe and have fun. Take a moment to thank the men & women that gave their all so we have the freedom to enjoy our way of life. FLY THE FLAG !!!!!!!!!!!!! I have always understood that flying the flag upsided down was another way for calling for HELP a distress call. no other means of communications. Now a days who knows. GREAT DAY guys

 

[sbauman2]

Thanks for the acknowledgement Lash. After the last election when it no longer made sense to wear my MAGA hat I had to come up with something else that would piss off the liberal left and this is what I had made.

I was and still am amazed at how many people ask me what it means. My response is always the same, "you obviously never served in the military so I recommend that you ask someone you know that has and after they answer your question say thank you".
Lash we can add Hemi to the "God, country, moms apple pie, Hemi!!!" I didn't include baseball because those bunch of pussies don't belong in the phrase anymore.

 

[1937Austin]

We fly our flag at numerous national holidays, but in my opinion Memorial Day is #1 on the list to fly it. Unfortunately I see no other flags in our neighborhood. I think I'm going to build or buy a big flag pole and fly a flag there instead of in the flag holder on our porch. Might get the neighbors restless and I like that idea.

 

[manicmechanic]

Thanks for the acknowledgement Lash. After the last election when it no longer made sense to wear my MAGA hat I had to come up with something else that would piss off the liberal left and this is what I had made. View attachment 107262 I was and still am amazed at how many people ask me what it means. My response is always the same, "you obviously never served in the military so I recommend that you ask someone you know that has and after they answer your question say thank you".
Lash we can add Hemi to the "God, country, moms apple pie, Hemi!!!" I didn't include baseball because those bunch of pussies don't belong in the phrase anymore.

Just like being in a "Club"! If you have to ask we don't need you.

 

[sbauman2]

Unfortunately the format got screwed up when pasting here but it's a good read. For my fellow veterans on the forum know that we are the true minority of this nation. Something like less than 2% of our population have or are serving in the military. We have earned the right to be considered the elite.

Steve Bauman
Army, 11Bravo, Spec 4
1969-1971

As we reflect on the Memorial Day weekend those who unselfishly gave us what we enjoy today, here are their replacements - any one of which could join those we recall. Our nation is endowed with unselfish young men and women who willingly step forward when called upon and often even before the call. Remember them this weekend also.

​

mi

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.




He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to' square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except
our friendship and understanding.

Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . ...

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

Prayer wheel for our military.... Please don't break it. Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer Wheel

'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us.

Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'​

This can be very powerful..

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

 

[noted1017]

Happy MEMORIAL DAY
Started during the Civil War when women began decorating the graves of soldiers who had died in that war. On May 30, 1868, the day was designated as ‘Decoration Day’ – a day for placing flowers on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers throughout the United States. ‘Decoration Day’ gradually became known as Memorial Day, and soldiers who died in other wars were honored. It quickly became a day to remember all people who had died in defense of our country. In 1971, the United States Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be observed on the last Monday of May.It’s appalling how few people realize the depth of its meaning for the freedoms we enjoy today. Young people think about it and say, “It’s the day that the pool opens.” That’s sad. Memorial Day is about remembering. It’s easy to forget the price that was paid for our freedoms. Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks to the people who fought and died for the things we have. We must remember that freedom isn’t free.

All GHR have a great weekend. Be safe if you are traveling. On the other hand if you are having family or friends over have fun. Take a moment to thank the men & women that gave their all so we have the freedom to enjoy our way of life. FLY THE FLAG

 

[sbauman2]

I'm so fucking pissed with all the spoiled, self indulgent, self absorbed completely worthless young people of today. I was watching the news tonight and the channel, Fox, had a reporter at Coney Island beach yesterday asking random people "what is Memorial Day" about. Not one of them, that's right not one of these fucking little ass holes knew what it was. These pukes don't deserve to live here and enjoy the freedoms that hundreds of thousands of military members gave their lives for; fuck all of them and their parents too for raising such clueless pieces of shit. Something my dad used to say really fits here; "they're all as worthless as tits on a boar hog".