Memorial Day for me at 76 years old is we have been at war all my life

Tim McElwain

I was born November 30 1939 the day World War II started or close to that date. We have been at war my entire life it seems.

I did my duty from 1957 until 1966 in in the U.S. Navy, those were the cold war days. Vietnam broke out just as I was leaving the military and some of my buddy's went on to make the supreme sacrifice in that war. When will it ever end? What a price America has paid for our freedom please do not ever forget Freedom is not Free it has a price.

Gordy

once World War II got through our system it opened pandoras box for a military machine with serious economic benefits. The defense budget employs a huge working force. Not just our country.

I thank you
Tim, and all who fought for our freedom, and made the ultimate sacrifice for it. That is what tomorrow is all about. However most who have fought, and not died still made ultimate mental, and physical sacrifices.

To many view Memorial Day weekend as party time. It's meant to be so much more......

Gordy

http://youtu.be/0bt1ycpezn0

I found the above video fascinating. If you have the time worth watching.

BobC

We seem to have forgotten the admonition not to go abroad in our search for monsters -

John Quincy Adams's Warning Against the Search for
"Monsters to Destroy," 1821

And now, friends and countrymen, if the wise and learned philosophers of the elder world, the first observers of nutation and aberration, the discoverers of maddening ether and invisible planets, the inventors of Congreve rockets and Shrapnel shells, should find their hearts disposed to enquire what has America done for the benefit of mankind? Let our answer be this: America, with the same voice which spoke herself into existence as a nation, proclaimed to mankind the inextinguishable rights of human nature, and the only lawful foundations of government. America, in the assembly of nations, since her admission among them, has invariably, though often fruitlessly, held forth to them the hand of honest friendship, of equal freedom, of generous reciprocity. She has uniformly spoken among them, though often to heedless and often to disdainful ears, the language of equal liberty, of equal justice, and of equal rights. She has, in the lapse of nearly half a century, without a single exception, respected the independence of other nations while asserting and maintaining her own. She has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, even when conflict has been for principles to which she clings, as to the last vital drop that visits the heart. She has seen that probably for centuries to come, all the contests of that Aceldama the European world, will be contests of inveterate power, and emerging right. Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all. She is the champion and vindicator only of her own. She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example. She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom. The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force.... She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit....

[America's] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is, Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her Declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice.

We went astray in the late 50's and 60's when the French got kicked out of Vietnam because of the domino theory and since then we have gone further and further astray in our zeal to remake the world in our image. We have spent trillions of dollars and sent our best men into battle for questionable causes that have had terrible consequences.

If you decide to go to war a few things should happen

1. First, everybody goes - no exemptions.
   
2. Next taxes should be raised to pay for the war.
   
3. And lastly we should prosecute the war till we get absolute and complete surrender of the enemy. Don't stop till you are done, no interference from the politicians.
   

Unless we are willing to do all of that we should stay home.

Bob

Jamie Hall

@BobC -- it's your number three point which has been our undoing. Whether this police action or that war (or whatever is the current euphemism in Washington) is or was good or bad or indifferent is a matter of opinion, and probably best not haggled over on the 'net.

But point number three? No argument there. If you are going to do it, do it. If you are not, don't start.

Semper Fi, and remember our men and women tomorrow.

BobC

@Jamie Hall They are always in my prayers. I hope they all come home safe.

If we send men in harms way we HAVE TO DO ANYTHING we can to make them whole when they come home. If it means my tax rate has to go up, so be it.

Bob

warno

I want to thank all the men and woman who have served and are serving. It's easy to forget and take for granted what we have here.

I hope for a safe trip home and full recovery from war to all military personnel.

Mad Dog_2

God Bless you Timmie, God bless all current and retired Military and our War dead. Way too many Americans take it for granted...many of the younger generation under 40 couldn't even
Tell you what the day is for. Mad Dog

GreenGene

Sadly most of the wars have been about corporate desires not our freedom, I find it disingenuous to use that description when the goal is an acquisition(s) and not our freedom.

WWII was probably the last justifiable war and last well managed one. Our military deserve better and if you're going to beat the drum Mr. or Mrs. Politician, you and your kids are going.

Defer this. ( use your imagination)