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Read your post a day after Memorial Day, Steve.
Well spoken. I understand and concur, here.
I was 1A in the draft when the Big War ended. Thanks be to God.
On the day before Memorial Day, I happened on to a big TV event in South Carolina where an auto race was about to begin. I’ve never been to an auto race and have no interest in them.
But there was a fairly elaborate Memorial Day Ceremony just prior to race time. As I tuned in and realized what was going on, I decided that this would be my own Memorial Day Service. At an auto race, yet!
As I tuned into the channel, the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division Chorus was singing “Amazing Grace.”
Then there was a 21 gun salute in memory of the men who died in the service of this great/blessed nation. You don’t witness a 21 gun salute very often.
Just think, when is the last time you saw/heard such a salute?
Then the audience was led in the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner.” (Have you been to Fort McHenry, in Baltimore? The closing minutes of the video shown there can be an emotional experience)
There was a brief Eulogy spoken for our men who served and were killed or wounded in our previous conflicts.
Then it was time for the race and I tuned out.
I’m an old guy too, now. I’ve been here and there in around the World, in the Service and on my own. Let me tell you what surely you don’t need to be told. I thank God everyday that I was somehow lucky enough to have been born in the USA. I’m a descendent of share-cropping farmers in Texas and farmers in Georgia. In almost any other country, there would have been little choice re what I was going to do with my life. But here, what you have to have is what we ALL have: Freedom, including not too much interference with one’s life by government. You have to have Education to at least a certain degree——and here, it’s all but free. And initiative. Imagine if you were born into a society where you happened to be bright and full of drive but the laws and culture of your society FORBADE you from moving in a direction of your own choosing. Here—you got drive, you can get it done. Born in poverty here does NOT for one moment mean that you’ll stay there if you want a better life.
Most of us lucky enough to be born here in the USA take our public school education for granted and don’t half take it seriously. I suggest that one re-read a text book of American/USA History. It gives so much better understanding of how this country came to be settled and how the laws which govern us evolved and who the significant players in our history were.
Aside to Sgian: With all due respect, at the time of the American Revolution, the political and Royal authorities in Great Britain were not in the same intellectual and practical league with those wonderful Forefathers in charge of the nascent USA.
So, Hats Off! the Flag is Passing By!
God Bless America.
William
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Read your post a day after Memorial Day, Steve.
Well spoken. I understand and concur, here.
I was 1A in the draft when the Big War ended. Thanks be to God.
On the day before Memorial Day, I happened on to a big TV event in South Carolina where an auto race was about to begin. I've never been to an auto race and have no interest in them.
But there was a fairly elaborate Memorial Day Ceremony just prior to race time. As I tuned in and realized what was going on, I decided that this would be my own Memorial Day Service. At an auto race, yet!
As I tuned into the channel, the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division Chorus was singing "Amazing Grace."
Then there was a 21 gun salute in memory of the men who died in the service of this great/blessed nation. You don't witness a 21 gun salute very often.
Just think, when is the last time you saw/heard such a salute?
Then the audience was led in the singing of "The Star Spangled Banner." (Have you been to Fort McHenry, in Baltimore? The closing minutes of the video shown there can be an emotional experience)
There was a brief Eulogy spoken for our men who served and were killed or wounded in our previous conflicts.
Then it was time for the race and I tuned out.
I'm an old guy too, now. I've been here and there in around the World, in the Service and on my own. Let me tell you what surely you don't need to be told. I thank God everyday that I was somehow lucky enough to have been born in the USA. I'm a descendent of share-cropping farmers in Texas and farmers in Georgia. In almost any other country, there would have been little choice re what I was going to do with my life. But here, what you have to have is what we ALL have: Freedom, including not too much interference with one's life by government. You have to have Education to at least a certain degree------and here, it's all but free. And initiative. Imagine if you were born into a society where you happened to be bright and full of drive but the laws and culture of your society FORBADE you from moving in a direction of your own choosing. Here---you got drive, you can get it done. Born in poverty here does NOT for one moment mean that you'll stay there if you want a better life.
Most of us lucky enough to be born here in the USA take our public school education for granted and don't half take it seriously. I suggest that one re-read a text book of American/USA History. It gives so much better understanding of how this country came to be settled and how the laws which govern us evolved and who the significant players in our history were.
Aside to Sgian: With all due respect, at the time of the American Revolution, the political and Royal authorities in Great Britain were not in the same intellectual and practical league with those wonderful Forefathers in charge of the nascent USA.
So, Hats Off! the Flag is Passing By!
God Bless America.
William
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Found myself Sunday afternoon on the screen porch babysitting our 2-1/2 year-old grand daughter, watching the preliminary activities for a rain-delayed Indianapolis 500. Born and raised in Indiana, watching the race is a bit of a tradition for me.
I'd been thinking all day about the guys I served with... especially those who didn't make it back. Only an old Vet knows the feelings that come along on this special weekend.
As the pre-race festivities got underway, I cuddled the little love of my life and tried to sing along to her. Florence Henderson sang "America the Beautiful", and my voice quivered as I tried to hold the tune. The National Anthem was beautifully performed, with the Indianapolis crowd remaining silent throughout the performance. My sing-along voice was choked and barely audible as I hugged my hope for the future.
When the Purdue University band played Taps, I attempted to hum along, but couldn't even maintain a smooth sound. The tears had arrived and were dripping onto my little darling's hair.
Then Jim Nabors sang "Back Home Again in Indiana", and I really lost it.
Embarassing? Not when a small child seems to understand that Grandpa has special feelings for his country and the men and women who have made supreme sacrifices to assure her freedom and future.
Proud to have served, Steve
*Nice sentimental tribute, Steve. Thanks for serving, and thanks for sharing with us and your granddaughter :)
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Thanks, kai. And William, you found a way to articulate in words what many of us feel but cannot find a way to express.
God Bless... Steve