Lets not forget what this day is all about. It is reserved as a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us while wearing the uniform of the Armed Forces of the United States of America. This day we will remember them, celebrate their lives and thank them for the friendships and gifts that they have given us. We can never thank them enough for their most unselfish act of preserving liberty with their very lives. President Abraham Lincoln said it best:
"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate… we can not consecrate… we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us?that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion?that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain?that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom?and that government : of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.".
A tribute performed by a father and mother to honor their fallen son:
Please turn up your audio:
http://www.rickandlisawallace.com/index.html
Please check out their entire site.
My personal remembrances:
Specialist 4th Class Timbe Seats:
You were my buddy in the Air Cavalry. I shall never forget that awful day in 1984 but I will always remember your friendship and that huge smile of yours. I love you brother and will see again someday.
Major Marie T. Rossi-Cayton:
The best CH-47 Chinook pilot I ever flew with! Heavy Cav, Ma’am!
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/mariethe.htm
Lieutenant Colonel Michael E. McLaughlin:
You were my X.O. (Executive Officer) when I served with Alpha Battery, 1/229th Field Artillery PA Army National Guard. One day I heard someone grunting and digging behind me as I worked to improve the firing position for the M60 and M2 machine guns. I figured it was one of the other enlisted men from the gun and darned near fell out when I turned around to see it was you, Sir, sweating away there with me! And you wondered why the men called you El-T ( pronounced El-Tee)?! You weren’t sure if they were being disrespectful and how you beamed when I told you that it meant you had their fullest respect. The guns are laid in and awaiting your orders to fire, Sir!
The report said you refused treatment to a fatal head wound and ordered your troops treated first. That is the El-T that I knew and love.
http://www.militarycity.com/valor/1456380.html
Sergeant Brent W. Dunkleberger:
You asked me for advice on joining the Army one day as we fished at Little Buffalo State Park. You were concerned about the Army caring for your family if you should get killed. I told you that not only would the Army take care of your family but that the V.A., V.F.W., American Legion and vets like myself would see to their needs. I was supposed to teach you how to fly fish when you got back. Some day we will share the water together again. Brent wanted a simple funeral with everyone dressed comfortably. He did not want us to be sad and wanted us to go have a beer. That is classic Brent Dunkleberger! Brent, you know I don’t drink anymore so an iced tea will have to suffice.
http://www.iraqnam.blogspot.com/2006/12/brent-dunkleberger-remembered-by.html
I honor all of our men and women that have made the ultimate sacrifice while wearing the uniform of our Armed Forces. This is your day. I want all of my fellow vets to feel free to share their remembrances and know that I celebrate the lives of your buddies with you.
AIR CAVALRY, SIR!
