We are reminded that they died so that we could live and continue to cherish the things they loved ---God, country and family.
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
"Moina Michael"
There is a price to be paid for freedom, be it ours or a neighboring land that seeks their own freedom and democracy.
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Hopefully we will all use this thread to share remembrances through this Memorial Day.
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I think too many people forget the sacrifice our military past present and future give so that we can enjoy the freedom of this great nation. God Bless all those who serve.
Marine Corporal Charles Gene Abrell, 19, of Terre Haute, Indiana, won the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life while leading an assault on enemy positions.
The nation's highest decoration for valor was awarded to the youthful Marine for extraordinary heroism on June 10, 1951 at Hangnyong, where he hurled himself bodily into an enemy bunker with a live hand grenade, killing himself and the enemy gun crew in the explosion.
Corporal Abrell was the 14th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for Korean fighting. Born August 12, 1931 at Terre Haute, he attended public schools in Las Vegas, Nevada, before enlisting in the Marine Corps August 17, 1948 at the age of 17.
Following recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and also served aboard the USS Noble before going to Korea with the First Marine Division.
He was in action at Inchon, Seoul, Wonsan, Chosin Reservoir, and Hanghum, before the assault on a hill near Hwachon in which he was killed.
Corporal Abrell also was awarded the Letter of Commendation with Commendation ribbon with Combat “V”, the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe clasp, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.
I think too many people forget the sacrifice our military past present and future give so that we can enjoy the freedom of this great nation. God Bless all those who serve.
I have always believed that Veterans Day is the day when you pay tribute to all that have served. Memorial Day is the day when you pay tribute to only those that made the ultimate sacrifice. Just my thoughts..
Last edited by VietVet68 : 05-23-2005 at 12:39 PM.
This is for all the sailors on the USS Forrestal that fought against the fire that took so many of their lives. God Bless all the sailors that lost their lives and may he be always with their families and friends to comfort those that remained. Indeed, not to be forgotten.........as all those lost in service of God and Country.
personally, i believe that respect should be paid EVERY DAY to those that served and/or died. These just happen to be the days that our United States Government decided to set aside for memorials.
Your right vet68;; it is a time to honor the people that gave the ulimate sacrafice and died for what they believed in as do I, God, Country & Freedom.
May all the family's of the fallen be remembered, as well as the fallen Hero's in your prayers this coming week. Gone But Not Forgotten.
personally, i believe that respect should be paid EVERY DAY to those that served and/or died. These just happen to be the days that our United States Government decided to set aside for memorials.
Not actually, GG
Here is a brief history that some may be surprised at....
-------------------------------------------------------------------- In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, mentioned at a social gathering that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War by decorating their graves.
In the Spring of 1866, he again mentioned this subject to General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk. General Murray embraced the idea and a committee was formulated to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead.
Townspeople adopted the idea wholeheartedly. Wreaths, crosses and bouquets were made for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast and draped with evergreen boughs and mourning black streamers.
On May 5, 1866, civic societies joined the procession to the three existing cemeteries and were led by veterans marching to martial music. At each cemetery there were impressive and lengthy services including speeches by General Murray and a local clergyman. The ceremonies were repeated on May 5, 1867.
The first official recognition of Memorial Day as such was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was General Order No. 11 establishing "Decoration Day" as it was then known. The date of the order was May 5, 1868, exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance. That year Waterloo joined other communities in the nation by having their ceremony on May 30.
This country we live in has had it ups and downs but there have always been the men and women who have stepped up to lay their lives on the line for us. We are indeed blessed by our Creator every day, and it is the least we can do to pay tribute and honor to those stood where no one else did and gave what no one else could.
Memorial Day 2005
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