Who would you like to Honor this Memorial Day?

[Stschil]

I was sitting here, remembering those in my family and my friends that have served in the Armed Forces and I thought, why not tell a brief story about those I specifically honor every Memorial Day and encourage others to do so as well. That way, we can all honor these special people.

I'll start

My Grandfather, Specialist James J Stewart, US Army, drafted and served in the European Theather during the latter days of WWII and during the occupation

My Great Uncle, SSG Maynard Wade, US Army. 82nd Airborne Div, made the jump on Niemeghen (sp) behind the lines during WWII and was injured during the campaign to free Denmark. Enlisted at age 17, earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star w/V device for his actions. (At age 82, he was presented it by his local VFW Commander)

My Son, SFC Dustin Stephenson, US Army, currently in Iraq serving as an intelligence asset to the 5th Spec Forces Group.

Ok, these are mine, the floor is open. Lets honor those Service Men and Woman that hold a special place in our hearts.

 

[melensdad]

My uncle Al Muscholwicz. He died in WWII. My mom grew up in a family with 12 kids, Al was one of the oldest brothers. Many in my family served in WWII (including my dad), Korea and Viet Nam but Al was the only one who didn't make it home alive. Some came home messed up, one without legs after stepping on a mine in Viet Nam, but all made it home alive except uncle Al.

Here is a film clip, only 50 years old, from my dad's ship.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NN5cQMWVsk[/ame]

 

[Bunnykid68]

My dad. Served in Vietnam, 3 purple hearts(they just couldnt kill him) Made the local paper for manning an M-60 mounted on a helicopter laying suppressing fire which saved numerous lives. I teared up the first time I read the article and still do after all these years.

God Bless everyone who has served

 

[Dave Doehrman]

Ok, these are mine, the floor is open. Lets honor those Service Men and Woman that hold a special place in our hearts.

The 19 men from Bravo Company, Third Recon Bn, that died at Khe Sanh Combat base. RIP brothers.

[SIZE=+2]Barmmer[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Timothy Michael[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]
Beddoe[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Paul Melvin
[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Bryan[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Charles William[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Healy[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Richard John[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Hollis[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Thomas William[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Jones[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Terry Agusta[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Lyons[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Carl[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Mc Cann[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]James Kevin[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Meggs[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Marion Lee[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Miller[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Charles Wayne[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Popowitz[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Gregory Francis[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Reather[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Wallace Lee Jr.
[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Rosa[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Juan Antonio[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Scribner[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Gary David[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Smith[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Richard John[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]
Stickel[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Gary Stephen[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Tallent[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Garry Glenn[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Tingley[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Thomas James[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Yeary[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]Randal Douglas

[/SIZE]

 

[MrSmitty]

My cousin, SSgt Patrick Finley in the Ky Army National Guard, went to Iraq, and ran convoy's and then worked in Abu Garib(spelling?) prison...my hero..he's done things!!! and served his country well!!!!!!!!

 

[Rayne]

My Son, SFC Dustin Stephenson, US Army, currently in Iraq serving as an intelligence asset to the 5th Spec Forces Group.

Ok, these are mine, the floor is open. Lets honor those Service Men and Woman that hold a special place in our hearts.

First of all Thanks for starting this thread, I was hoping there would be something were we could thank our servie men/women both now and from the past.

So give you son a big Thank You from Rayne...daughter of a US Marine Veteran from WWII. Daddy kept getting deferments because of his job, so when his number was short in the draft, he joined the navy like his two younger brothers. On the day he was to be sworn in, a Marine Seargent came by and said I need five volunteers, you, you, you, you, and you.

He was a in the Pacific theater and carried a flame thrower most of the time. Daddy used to never talk about the war until I got him a WWII veteran ball cap for his 90th birthday last year and total strangers would come up to him out in public and thank him for his service. Many of these strangers were veterans too and they would share war stories. I've heard more about Daddy's experiences this last year then my whole life.

Most importantly I saw how much it really meant to Daddy to be thanked by these total strangers.

 

[E5RANGER375]

being that Memorial Day is to Honor the fallen soldiers who have died in defense of this country from the founding on, thats who I will Honor. I honor them everyday by living as a good American and supporting the constitution. but I always have a certain flag that I fly on special days like Memorial Day.

 

[Vince49]

I still miss them.

CW2 John D. (Johnny) McCluskey, from Bernie MO. KIA Pleiku Prov. RVN, 9 May 1970.

Spc 4 Charles (Charley) Wilson, from New York City, NY. KIA in IV Corps RVN, May 1970.

Johnny was my roommate in flight school and was killed while flying a UH-1H in the 101st Airborne Div. He and his crew survived the shoot down but were each shot in the head by enemy soldiers after they were on the ground. They were found still strapped in their seats. He was 25 years old and it was his third tour in Viet Nam.

Charley was one of our finest gunner/crew chiefs in the Scout Platoon (Warwagons) of D Troop 3/5 Aircav. He and I had many,"adventures", together. He was flying a mission in Cambodia with one of my fellow scout pilots when he received a fatal shot to the head from ground fire. He was just 19 years old and the day he was killed marked his third Purple Heart and the fifth time he had been shot down in his ten month tour with D Troop.

I miss these guys tremendously and think about them all of the time as well as many other friends and fellow soldiers that did not make it home.

"All gave some. Some gave all"

Me on the left Johnny on the right. Brand new Warrant Officers on graduation day 2 June 1969, Ft. Rucker AL.

 

[PistolBob]

To every man and woman that has served this country in the US armed forces, and is no longer with us, we remember you today...

 

[Suprtek]

We are blessed to live in a country where those deserving of honor are too numerous to count. I'll start with these guys.

 

[jeremy]

I have 14 names of Troopers, Soldiers, Friends, Brothers that tonight I will drink to in their memories.
Dumb Luck...

The hardest words I have ever had to say...
[SIZE=-1]On behalf of the President of the United States and the people of a grateful nation, may I present this flag as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service your loved one rendered this nation.[/SIZE]...

 

[cbseniour]

This is a little strange because I don't even recall the young man's name ( I think it may be a device to held deal) VietNam Lz Stud north of Que I was head medic for the 1st of the 8th Cav 1st Cav Div. We were assigned several new medics mostly E3&4's one in particular was a tall very friendly young man named Charlie. After a couple of days in the rear area giving them some last minute training and trying to tell them they were not to be heros we needed live medics after all we sent 5 men to there new duty companies. Charlie was assigned to Charlie company. The next day he returned to us his uniform still clean and a single bullet hole between his eyes.. I never knew the exact circumstances of his death and never will I think he was the first casualty in a small firefight.
The loss of this young man touched us all it was usually a pretty impersonal thing for medics but not this time.

May you rest in peace.

May all the Charlies of this world be honored today.

 

[Stschil]

To all who have served and sacrificed for our Nation

 

[ElsiePeaRN]

I always try to remember those who don't show up on lists of KIA. Those who never received honors for the life they gave.

People like my brother-in-law who never quite recovered from his service in Viet Nam and who passed away as a result of it years later.

I always want to honor the memory of my brother who died from cancer likely caused by his exposure to multiple chemical and biological warfare agents as an unaware and non-consensual participant in Project SHAD during his service in the US Navy. I honor his memory and so many others like him.