The Friday Fling Commemorates Memorial Day!
Friday Fling #130 May 27th 2011
Memorial Day weekend is coming up, so we thought this would be a good time to write about how we feel about those in the military in our country’s past and/or still ongoing who have sacrificed their lived for their country. Here’s a little history from Wikipedia:
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that honors soldiers and is observed on the last Monday of May (May 30 in 2011). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service.[1] First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War,[2] it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.
Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season
Usually on the Fling we further challenge you to write in a particular format. This week we’ll let you pick how you choose to express your thoughts and feelings on Memorial Day.
Here’s one I did for Memorial Day two years ago:
Also this week only, we will respectfully request that you confine your post(s) on this blog to Memorial Day related poems.
This week the Friday Fling commemorates Memorial Day!
Be sure to save time to read and comment memorably on your fellow Pals’ creations. Then go enjoy Memorial Day Weekend in your own preferred way!
Fickle Finger of Fate Award for May 20th 2011
Congratulations Bump!
Welcome everyone! Michelle and I hope you enjoy this challenge to take the opportunity to poetically express your thoughts and feelings about this important holiday dedicated to our fallen defenders! Have a safe and worthwhile holiday weekend!
Good evening (((Bob))) and everyone! I hope you all are having a fantastic Friday!
Thanks (((Bob!))) I work with both of the moms of these fallen soldiers. They were sad times.
I guess this is like Remembrance Day in Canada which is on November 11…but for all my American friends
~
~
I pray for a day
when war ceases to exist
For a land so loving
That nobody has to enlist.
Our thanks and love is extended
To all who died in these wars
Let us pray now for peace
Now let peace be restored!
Have a safe and blessed Memorial Day weekend! :love:
We have so much to be thankful for and so many to thank. Such a beautiful blog tribute and pieces posted.
Here is one I post every year that I wrote after talking to Bree . When I saw this pic it fit the poem perfectly 😉 Great Blog Michelle and Bob !!!
.
Archived image unavailable
Remembering at Punchbowl
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Toward the end of a day
that was definitely
all about me,
doing what I pleased,
when I wanted to do it,
no one telling me what to do,
and simply free to be me,
I stood on the far side of today
and on the edge of tomorrow
and looking back upon
the yesterdays in
row upon
row upon
row upon
row of
tiny flags
waving wildly in
the paradise breezes
of a late afternoon.
In sobering silence
I could only watch those flags
and remember that those buried here
were fathers and mothers
and brothers and sisters
and aunts and uncles
and grandparents
and dear friends
and loved ones.
They were just like me.
And I could have
easily been one of them.
And as I stood in the middle
of a crater out in the Pacific,
it occured to me
how much power
that sacred ground holds
and how fitting that it be
a resting place for those
powerful men and women
who gave their lives so that
I could have the freedoms
so often taken for granted,
as I take them for granted
no more.
(c) barbara kausteklis 5-31-10; rev. 5-26-11
The Eyes Of The World
we are wasted upon
the sky
upon carpeted stairs
upon phones ringing
in empty rooms
upon loves we pretended
were real
upon memories far sweeter
than the occasion.
we are wasted upon
the stars and the
sun
upon floods and
murder
upon the constant
countless wars
upon beautiful young
girls
who just want
to hurt
themselves
upon lives that are
so empty
that blood and guts
death and
mutilation
seem an improvement
forward motion.
we are wasted upon
a dream of
success
the imagining of
some God
some final justice
upon chance when
chance has
run out
like electricity
like gas
like time turned against
you
like the edge
of a razorblade
like something moving
towards you
like daylight or
death
we are wasted upon
a dream
a difficulty
the wrong key in
the wrong lock
upon a hope that
was less than
a lie.
the eyes of the world
look upon us,
turn away
ashamed.
Archived image unavailable
It’s time for me to call it a night but please continue to stop by and read or post. Goodnight and I will see you tomorrow afternoon.
Taps
softly
playing,
honoring many fallen silent heroes
lying in rest on sacred ground;
at peace
eternally, with man,
with Angels,
and God.
RC
Oil seeps from the wreckage of the USS Arizona, local legend says it will continue to slowly seep until the last of her surviving crew passes…I have been to the memorial several times…it is a powerful, sobering experience…
ARIZONA
Souls
like pearls
within its shell,
silent
sanctuary dwell.
Black tears
rise
and rainbow spread,
reminder that
not all are
dead.
Somber bridge
history span,
at the rail
a time worn man,
longing
for the day
he can
join
his brothers
once again.
gonna hit the hay guys…will read and comment tomorrow…big hugs, Kare
FOR THE FALLEN HEROS
For those whom stood on the front lines
Holding their ground
Standing strong
To protect those of us here at home
We know not the deeds
The miles they travel
Yet they are
They do
What it takes for our safety
Never forget
If not for the brave men and women
That stood in the rain
Freezing cold to the bone
Some falling by the way side
They did this brave deed
Just for us
The one back home
Honor the brave
And always keep they in your prayer
Even when they have fought the batter
And came home
Some intact
Some are not
They are still our heroes
For it not for them
We would not be
Home of the free we would be in yet the battle
Written By: Bettie Davis ———————————– © May 28 , 2o11
Love the blog Bob and Michelle…… :love: :love: 😀
Find more videos like this on Wicca Online Community For Pagans and Wiccans
MEMORIAL
through all the pain,
and the loss,
and the destruction,
and the cost.
through the confusion,
and change,
and the damage,
and the rain….
we’ve made it, they’ve finally come
to take us home.
and now….
real fear consumes me,
as though fear was never known.
i can’t go home.
i’m not that strong.
what is wrong with me?
dear God,
what have i become?
what have i done?
how can i face my family?
how can i return
to all the things,
and all the reasons i stayed in this fight?
all the things
for which i stayed alive,
when on a ridge a world away,
my brothers are buried,
and will forever lie ?
through all the pain,
and the loss,
and the destruction,
and the cost.
the confusion,
and change,
and the damage,
and the rain….
through the anger and fear,
the brutality of my rage.
my vengence….
and the price i pay,
why is the crew all out on deck,
applauding and cheering,
our return and success?
why can’t i smile,
and be glad i’m alive?
why do i feel,
that i’m still in the fight?
74 days, cut off and on our own,
11 successful “ops”,
countless of lives taken,
destruction unknown.
the damage we did
left our enemy crippled,
unable to stand.
my brothers can lie peacefully,
guarding their homeland.
hot shower and food,
a bed with clean sheets….
the commander placed a weapon in my hands,
so i could go to sleep.
a couple of hours later,
i’m wide awake,
ready for battle,
to fight to survive another day.
how will i go home?
what will i say?
everyone thinks,
i’m still in the states.
SpecialOps wars don’t exist.
we weren’t here,
we have no knowledge of any of this.
there are no memorials,
for Lebanese brothers,
i laid down on a ridge,
the crew of a chopper,
who died so i may live.
who held their hover,
as we took hits.
who put us in, and got us out,
so many times, over and over again,
and helped make it through this.
i am part of them,
and they are also of me.
they saved our lives,
and we saved their families.
we took them home….
we wouldn’t leave them behind.
they had no sons….
so i made their vengeance mine.
and through all the pain,
and the loss,
and the destruction and cost,
i find i’ve changed,
and now find fear,
in the thought of going home,
and a strange confusion,
which makes me feel so alone.
the commander looks troubled,
and i argue with him my demands
we’ve all seen this look in his eyes before,
and we all know what it means,
“we have this little problem,
which requires a seasoned team.
strictly voluntary,
but a decision must be made….
no one else in the region…..”
home will have to wait
the ship grows silent,
all but a whisper being passed from man to man.
no cheering nor applauds this time,
they’re sending us back in.
and as i gather up my weapons,
and all the ammo that i can,
the confusion begins to fade,
and fear
joins me like an old friend.
the commander saluted me (?)
and i handed him my letter again…
and i remember thinking,
this isn’t what i had planned,
i won’t be going home…
or maybe i already am.
maybe this is the home,
where i was always supposed to be,
and the home i imagined,
exists only in a long forgotten dream.
DarkAngel-One
U.S.A.F. Special Operations
Daddy on these days the sorrow comes inside me.
It is so hard for I miss you dearly.
Life is full of fear with out my hero here.
I miss you dearly and think of you often.
My heart tears up knowing heaven has got you.
It makes me so very sad blue.
You are my hero this true.
With out you my world gets tangled up in bad news.
If you where here you could take away the blues.
I miss you
THANK GOD FOR ALL THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND DIED SO THAT I MIGHT
REJOICE IN FREEDOMS
YOU SAY YOU ARE OPRESSED,
YES YOU SAY IT ALL THE TIME,
BUT GO TO ANOTHER COUNTRY,
ITS LIKE
ANOTHER PLACE IN TIME.
YOU CAN SAY , I HATE THE PRESIDENT
BUT DARE YOU NOT SAY
I HATE THE QUEEN,
THE PRIME MINISTER
OR EVEN
THE SOVERIN HEAD OF STATE.
IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE
YOU SAY YOU HAVE NO FREEDOM?
YES GO THERE ,I SAY
AND WHEN THEY PUT YOU
IN A BOX
IT WILL HIDE YOU AWAY
WHILE YOU ARE
WAITING FOR A TRIAL
IT MIGHT BE QUITE A WHILE
AS YOU WAIT
UNKNOWING YOUR FATE
FOR ITS GUILTY,
YOU ARE NEVER INOCENT
UNLESS PROCLAIMED
THANK GOD FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT
FOR RIGHT AND
OH FOR FREEDOMS
AS WE REACH FOR THAT BIBLE
THAT PRAYER BEAD OR CLOTH,
FOR THE KORAN, OR EVEN STATUES
OF THOTH.. FOR THAT IS OUR FREEDOM
THAT FOR OTHERS , WOULD GET SHOT
OH GLORY IS THE FREEDOMS WE HAVE
FOR SHOULD THEY BE TAKEN AWAY
IT WOULD BE A VERY SAD DAY
SO REJOICE IN WHAT YOU HAVE
THOUGH IT MAY BE SMALL ‘
SOME HAVE IT NOT AT ALL
THEY GAVE THEIR LIFE TO
GIVE US ALL
DOESN’T MANTER HOW MANY OR WHEN THEY FALL, THE DEATH OF A SOLDIER
IS NEVER SMALL…
IM MEMORY OF MY SISTER FOR SHE DID SERVE WELL, ITS WAS AFTER AND NOT ON THE BATTLEFIELD THAT SHE FELL.AND ALL THOSE WHO FIGHT, AS A EX MILITARY WHIFE, I SALUTE YOU FOR YOU’VE GONE THROUGH HELL.
The Old And The Glory
By A-Rhodi
There he is again sitting alone
At the freeway off-ramp,
He has no legs, just a wheelchair,
He holds up a cardboard sign
That states he’s a Vietnam Vet,
Though homeless,
He is proud that he has served,
For he almost gave it all,
As any true soldier would
His sign says he needs money and food,
His bedroll tells me he’s found shelter,
I pull my car over to talk to him,
I’d like to know more about what he’s after
As I approach him he doesn’t say much,
I shake his hand
And hand him 40 bucks
And sit along the roadside too
It seemed such an odd thing to do
I notice “Old Glory” proudly displayed
Tightly fastened to the back of his wheelchair
In this early light of day
“Old glory” begins to wave
“Of all the places, why here?” I ask him,
“Tell me your story. Why do you sit here
On such a beautiful morning?”
He looked at me with tired eyes,
He scratched at his grey beard
And hunched up his shoulders
“Son,” so he began,
“Memorial Day
Is just 2 weeks a way,
And I have a bus to catch.
You see the Greyhound calls to me,
It’s going to take me to Washington D.C.
For what was once lost is now found
And there upon some hallowed ground
There’s a name placed
Upon a wall
A name I knew well and do recall
A name that belonged to one
Of this nation’s missing sons
A name many thought was lost
But now I hear paid the ultimate cost
And I want to show my respect,
It will be me and some other Vets
Meeting up there to show
The memories we can’t let go
For you see we fought through
The horrors of Vietnam,
Through the Jungle swamps,
And the Napalm
We made it past tunnels
And over the ridge
We made it back home
When many never did
And though many years have past
Filled with regrets and shadows cast
Just like our tour when duty calles
We stand together and we stand tall
When another bother’s name is
Found up on the wall.”
I shook his hand and walk away
And sat back inside my car
I pulled back on the road
But didn’t go very far
When I glanced back in my mirror
He seemed taller in his chair
And “Old Glory” waved in the air
~
On this Memorial Day, remember all the fallen soldiers, men and women, who gave up their lives for our freedom.
http://www.thewall-usa.com/
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall USA website is dedicated to honoring those who died in the Vietnam War. Since it first went on line in 1996 it has evolved into something more. It is now also a place of healing for those affected by one of the most divisive wars in our nation’s history.
“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O’Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978
This blog is a memorial to those who have fought and died for this country’s freedom. Within the walls of this thread, a mis-understanding/mis-interpretation sheds light on just how some wars take place…and how far we as Human Beings have yet to grow before the light of peace leaves no shadow for war to hide in, no excuses. manwhofelltoearth and I have settled and removed our differences. There is a lesson in this thread to be learned…and a new hope for peace for all men.
Perhaps the greatest tribute that we can give, the greatest memorial to the fallen, is that we learn to settle our differences and live in peace with one another. It is my prayer that we achieve this someday, that Memorial Day will have no new men and women to add to the list of the Fallen. Then they will truly rest in peace. Until then, with bitter-sweet sadness of heart, I proudly honor these men and women.
I know that this is a poetry blog…for the moment….I have ran out of song.
RC