Memorial Day

[Jamesdean]

Today is the day to give thanks to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we have today. No matter what war it was, fro WWI On to today Many have gave their lives. Many Families have given more than they believed they should have had to give. It is from my heart that I give condolences to ALL the Mothers and Fathers, Brothers and Sisters, Wives and Children for the lose of their loved ones so that we as a nation could be free. Thank you to all Brothers and Sisters in arms who have paid with blood, sweat and yes sometimes even tears. Some have given their lives, others Limbs, yet others wear scars inside that are not seen. Thank You to each and every one of you.

[GoTennTitans]

When my mom was born in 1943, she had three older brothers who were fighting in WW2. One in Africa, another in the Philippines, and the other was in the Navy on the Atlantic Ocean front all along France among other places. They all came home. My uncle who was in the Philippines came home all decorated up with many medals including a Purple Heart. He told me stories........most were not nice. After I saw Hacksaw Ridge, I think I had a better appreciation of what he probably went through.

I was born in 1969 and knew my uncles as older beer drinking, cigarette smoking men who loved to meet up and fish together on the weekends. My uncle who was in Africa let me have my first beer on one of those fishing trips when I was around 13 years old. I had become a man! I still remember how that Old Milwaukee tasted.....didn’t think I was ever gonna get done with it.

My mom had a total of five older brothers.......my Stratton uncles. Uncle Laverne was the oldest, he was in the Navy. Uncle Bill was in Africa. Uncle George received the Purple Heart for his action in the Philippines. Uncle Doc joined the service and was in training when the war ended and never actually had to fight. Uncle Bob was around 13 at the time and was too young to join up. I think he fought just about everybody around here, though. He was a rounder. They’re all gone now, but I’ll always remember and love those old guys. They loved the outdoors, they loved life, they loved each other, they loved America, and they loved me.

My mom is still around at 76 and is the hospital now recovering from surgery for a brain aneurysm she suffered last Friday. She’s a fighter. It’s in her blood.

Thank you to all who have helped us be where we are today. We have our issues here, but I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be than here in America. GTT

[Jamesdean]

GTT, Thank you for the reminder of how it used to be. A great time for the US when folks seemed to care about neighbors, and everything wasn't about getting ahead of the next person, or as we used to say, KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES's...Now it seems everything is about cheating the next person out of what they should rightly have or get, not so much because it's really needed, but just because you don't want them to have it. I long for the time when things were so much simpler. Maybe it was because I was just a kid and didn't know much or have the worries and responsibilities of adult hood, but what ever it was or is, the longing is still there...Thanks again.

[cevans]

Salute!

[Noodle rod]

May God bless the families of the men and women who gave their lives for the freedoms that we have, and sometimes take for granted, and many times unfortunately abuse. May we show gratitude and respect always.

Sent from my SM-G930R4 using Tapatalk

[Special K]

Salute!

Salute INDEED.

[skeetbum]

Today's the day to remember the ones that gave their lives for our freedom.

Understood. But I can’t thank those who have already given their all. Those I can still speak to I can tell that they have my thanks and respect. Some of those have memories of those lost who stood by their side when the stuff was deep. I’ve been lucky enough to have had conversations with a few guys that were in the thick of it, more than once, and chose to educate those of us there at that time to something we’d never experience. These folks carry the weight for days unending, and I want them all to know that they have my respect should we never speak again. God has a special place set aside for them.

[Minister1955]

Honor to those who gave their all! We live in a free nation today because of them.

[Crestliner08]

God Bless all our heroes who served to keep us free. God Bless America!

[GoTennTitans]

When my mom was born in 1943, she had three older brothers who were fighting in WW2. One in Africa, another in the Philippines, and the other was in the Navy on the Atlantic Ocean front all along France among other places. They all came home. My uncle who was in the Philippines came home all decorated up with many medals including a Purple Heart. He told me stories........most were not nice. After I saw Hacksaw Ridge, I think I had a better appreciation of what he probably went through.

I was born in 1969 and knew my uncles as older beer drinking, cigarette smoking men who loved to meet up and fish together on the weekends. My uncle who was in Africa let me have my first beer on one of those fishing trips when I was around 13 years old. I had become a man! I still remember how that Old Milwaukee tasted.....didn’t think I was ever gonna get done with it.

My mom had a total of five older brothers.......my Stratton uncles. Uncle Laverne was the oldest, he was in the Navy. Uncle Bill was in Africa. Uncle George received the Purple Heart for his action in the Philippines. Uncle Doc joined the service and was in training when the war ended and never actually had to fight. Uncle Bob was around 13 at the time and was too young to join up. I think he fought just about everybody around here, though. He was a rounder. They’re all gone now, but I’ll always remember and love those old guys. They loved the outdoors, they loved life, they loved each other, they loved America, and they loved me.

My mom is still around at 76 and is the hospital now recovering from surgery for a brain aneurysm she suffered last Friday. She’s a fighter. It’s in her blood.

Thank you to all who have helped us be where we are today. We have our issues here, but I can’t think of anywhere I would rather be than here in America. GTT

I found pictures of my 5 uncles. I think you all may like to see these young men from this era.
Homer Laverne Stratton, in his Navy uniform with his family that he had to leave behind for a while.


George Varnell "Bick" Stratton, who earned the Purple Heart for his service in the Philippines. Wasn't my Aunt Jewell beautiful? You know he hated leaving her!


Lindall Lavelle "Bill" Stratton, who served in Africa.


Wilburn Earl "Doc" Stratton, who was in the Army, but never had to actually go fight because the was ended just before he was to leave. You can see how young he was.


Charles Larry "Bob" Stratton, who they all said would have gone and fought em all if he could have.


I will always remember each of these men. Loved them all dearly! GTT