Memorial Day

[Charon]

1. "Land of the free, because of the brave."
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This twist on the lyrics of the "Star Spangled Banner" is a nice way to thank the brave men and women who have fought for American freedom going back centuries.

2. "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." — Joseph Campbell
Is there a better way to define a hero? I can't think of one.

3. “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.” — Gen. Douglas MacArthur
How does one be vigilant in preserving freedom, short of signing up for military service? The first thing that comes to mind for me is by voting.

4. "America without her soldiers would be like God without his angels." — Claudia Pemberton
Supporting the troops doesn't have to have any hidden political context to it. It can simply be about supporting the men and women who leave behind their families and friends to fight and sometimes die for the U.S.

5. "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." — Franklin Delano Roosevelt
It's hard for many of us to imagine the horrors of wars, but without people willing to go into battle and keep us safe, the rest of us might not even be here.

6. “Freedom lies in being bold.” — Robert Frost
America is all about freedom, and there are so many different way to express that. Perhaps the best way to honor fallen servicemen and women is to appreciate and take advantage of the many freedoms we have.

7. "America is a tune. It must be sung together." — Gerald Stanley Lee
This pretty quote is extra fitting for the divisive times we're living in.

8. "We don't know them all, but we owe them all." — Unknown
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The course of American history could have gone very differently, and very badly, without men and women willing to fight for freedom. This caption's a reminder that we're all forever indebted.

9. "Ceremonies are important. But our gratitude has to be more than visits to the troops, and once-a-year Memorial Day ceremonies. We honor the dead best by treating the living well." — Jennifer Granholm
This quote hits me right in the feels. It's such a nice reminder to not wait for a specific day of the year to give thanks and be kind to those who have sacrificed for us.

10. “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived.” — George S. Patton, Jr.
Memorial Day doesn't have to be completely somber. Instead, this quote explains why there's cause for celebration, too.

11. "Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it." — Unknown
There's something so moving about seeing the stars and stripes rippling in the breeze, isn't there? This quote sums up why.

12. "The brave die never, though they sleep in dust, their courage nerves a thousand living men." — Minot Savage
This poetic quote comes from a Unitarian minister, Minot Savage, who was one of the great preachers of his time, according to the Harvard Square Library.

13. "America! America! God shed His grace on thee." — Samuel A. Ward
The lovely lyrics of "America the Beautiful" showcase just what all those men and women fought and died for. I suggest listening to the Ray Charles version of the song at some point this weekend.... it just might bring a patriotic tear to your eye.

14. "And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me." — Lee Greenwood
You'll probably hear this classic tune getting lots of play around Memorial Day, and the lyrics make it clear why.

15. "Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored." — Daniel Webster
Though their specific names and faces may sometimes be lost to history, the heroic deeds and selfless sacrifices of fallen servicemen and women should always be honored. That holds true on Memorial Day, and every other day of the year.

   

   

   

I salute all the men and women and families that have given up their freedoms and often their lives to grant me continued freedom in the US of A.

God Bless America.

[Roses]

My thanks to all the men & women that gave their lives for our country.  Happy Memorial Day And also to all the active servicemen & servicewomen.




Thank you Charon for such a beautiful tribute

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[Linville]

A father takes his son wearing a Marine uniform to salute Marine Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers, “the saluting Marine”, as they take part in the “Rolling thunder” parade, part of the Memorial weekend honouring war veterans in Arlington, near Washington, on May 26 2019. 

– Thousands of bikers converged on the US capital for what is billed as their last national “Rolling Thunder” ride in honor of missing American soldiers on Memorial Day weekend.

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Boots symbolising fallen soldiers are displayed by the road as bikers take part in the “Rolling thunder” parade, part of the Memorial weekend honoring war veterans in Arlington, near Washington, on May 26 2019. 

– Thousands of bikers converged on the US capital for what is billed as their last national “Rolling Thunder” ride in honor of missing American soldiers on Memorial Day weekend.

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Bikers ride by Marine Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers, “the saluting Marine”, as they take part in the “Rolling thunder” parade, part of the Memorial weekend honoring war veterans in Arlington, near Washington, on May 26 2019.

 – Thousands of bikers converged on the US capital for what is billed as their last national “Rolling Thunder” ride in honor of missing American soldiers on Memorial Day weekend.

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A man wears a “Proud to be American” patch as hundreds of thousands of bikers gather on the Pentagon Parking before taking part in the “Rolling thunder” parade, part of the Memorial weekend honouring war veterans in Arlington, near Washington, on May 26 2019.

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A biker part of the “Nam Knights” Club gives a high-five to a young boy dressed in a Marine uniform as hundreds of thousands of bikers gather on the Pentagon Parking before taking part in the “Rolling thunder” parade, part of the Memorial weekend honoring war veterans in Arlington, near Washington, on May 26 2019. – 


Thousands of bikers converged on the US capital for what is billed as their last national “Rolling Thunder” ride in honor of missing American soldiers on Memorial Day weekend.

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A group of bikers say a prayer as thousands of them gather on the Pentagon Parking before taking part in the “Rolling thunder” parade, part of the Memorial weekend honouring war veterans in Arlington, near Washington, on May 26 2019.

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Unlike Veterans Day in the United States, which honors all military veterans in November, 

Memorial Day 
— on the last Monday in May 

— is aimed specifically at remembering those who died while serving in the US armed forces, were prisoners of war or remain unaccounted for.

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[willie33]

[Linville]