So, Memorial Day...

[P. A. Schilke]

Like a lot of you guys here I served, I was a 'cold war kid' that enlisted at 19 as an SP in active duty USAF. It was a pivotal time in my life because before that point I came from a bad family situation and would have been accurately described as an angry at-risk youth.

My personal mentor Lt. Col. Murray helped me grow the F-up. He was a B-17/B-29 pilot during WW2 in the European Theater. I met him just before I turned 17, he a a tough SOB at about 5' tall and was fearless as well as direct. I worked for him and his son at a Goodyear shop they owned and although he's been gone since '94 I think about the impact he made on my life often and find a way nearly every week to share some story about him.

He only gave me one heart-felt complement, I was stationed at SAC Command, Offutt AFB. During Korea he was still in as a reserve officer training bomber pilots out of that very base. He's was passing through Omaha, coming from a war buddies funeral and stopped by to see me. I was on duty in the 3906th special security squadron/elite guard. I was surprised when SCC called me on the radio and said some feisty old colonel was here to see me. I went up to building 500's reception area and there he was giving the Ssgt on that post some attitude for calling him 'old'...

He was only there for about 20 minutes and at the end he shook my hand and with the other on my shoulder pulled me into a half man-hug and said 'I'm proud of you...' It really meant something because his usual way of showing affection was some witty/snarky remark or to curse you out.

I'm a pretty hard-boiled guy and almost got a bit choked up, he turned and smiled and said 'get back to f-n work!' then punched me in the arm..gotta admit for an old guy he tagged me pretty good, but I did not let on to that!

Anyways that's my Memorial Day story.

Here are a few pics that I'd like to share the keep me in touch with peoples real loss..

?

Sponsored

 

[rang19ca]

Having also served in the Army, following my father who landed at Normandy on D-day and survived, I honor all who have served and given their lives so that we can live in freedom. ??

 

[Cowboys22]

Appreciative of all the sacrifices made by our brave men and women who sacrificed all to make this country great.

 

[GregM]

?? I'm Proud to have served My COUNTRY

GOD BLESS all that have served to give us the freedom we still possess and won't give UP

 

[Mcssls]

Being Memorial Day, bless those who’ve served and died. Veterans Day is for those of us still here.

 

[Fawnbuster]

Thank you...????

 

[XL GT]

I have always had the utmost respect for people who serve/served in our military, so my hat's off to you fellas. I know some of you have seen some pretty rough stuff that you would rather not mention. A "hero" complex is often a misused persona used by the media to describe "athletes" because they had a good game, but yet many of you sacrificed yourselves and had others sacrifice themselves for you and you are proud/happy just to call each other, . . . . brothers. Enjoy YOUR Memorial Day as we recognize and remember the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and to those who served and are serving now . God bless you fellas.

 

[Jim C]

I have always had the utmost respect for people who serve/served in our military, so my hat's off to you fellas. I know some of you have seen some pretty rough stuff that you would rather not mention. A "hero" complex is often a misused persona used by the media to describe "athletes" because they had a good game, but yet many of you sacrificed yourselves and had others sacrifice themselves for you and you are proud/happy just to call each other, . . . . brothers. Enjoy YOUR Memorial Day as we recognize and remember the ones who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and to those who served and are serving now . God bless you fellas.

freedom costs are high

 

[Trigganometry]

I salute you all

 

[Cabose-1]

Airborne Ranger in the sky.
SGT. Pringle
SFC Riley
SSG Anderson
SGT Fisher
SPC Jackson
SGT Rodriguez

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

freedom costs are high

Let us not forget all the support behind the scenes folks who powered the stateside engines of freedom in R&D, munitions, assembly lines, testing, etc.
Some wore uniforms, suits OR coveralls.. men and women of all ages/races. some who wanted to serve overseas on the lines but could not. Without these folks we could not have prevailed.
I salute you!

 

[JesseS]

Please remember to fly your flags at half staff until noon, then back to full staff. Always bring the flag all of the way down before rising or recovering from half stall. To all of you Veterans out there, remember those who didn't come home.

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

What was supposed to be the 'Last Great War' [WW1]...where butchery was mechanized and taken to new levels due to the start of modern times. When politicians FAIL the blood of a nations youth is spilled and parents take their children to the grave when it should be the opposite..

Sponsored