You too will stand and salute!

FAOL Community Sound Off
21

Marco,
I’ve seen this photo many times and felt no obligation to respond. My wife and I are both veterans. She, a 6 year US Army vet and I, a 27 year AF retired vet. We will be attending the Memorial Services at Fort Richardson, Anchorage, Alaska on Monday at Noon. We were both honored to serve our country. Marco, how will you be spending your Memorial Day?
God Bless our personnel in Uniform around the world and their families. Keep them from harm’s way and bring them home safely.

Mike Harsh
CMSgt, USAF, Retired

22

Marco, nice photograph, but your attitude detracts from the message of those two men embracing. imho

“Give me ambiguity or give me something else”

23

Marco, as a Viet Vet I take exception to your comment about those who dont fit your ideas on “posting”. I may be “out of line” on this ,BUT YOU need to lighten up.
Bill

24

I think the picture you have posted is moving, no question of it, but just because someone doen’t post doesn’t mean that they are not impacted or have no feeling for your post. Combat veterans don’t need to say anything, it can be seen in the eyes and felt in the heart and they all know exactly what the other one is feeling, “don’t mean nothin’”

25

Gentlemen:
Thanks for your responses.

Mark
PS: To those to whom this matters as a “credential”.
Mark L. SP5E5. 5 USAAIS 910 MI DET. 96C20 1965-72

I’d rather be in Wyoming!

[This message has been edited by Marco (edited 26 May 2005).]

26

I believe drolfson said it best "I have not commented, because I cannot add to what has been said, and I dare not take away from it. "

27

…the heart felt gratitude & honor to call this Marine a fellow citizen, is beyond my feeble attempts to put in words! Thank you & thanks to my son, home safe & sound & due to go back…may God protect them all & may He provide special places for those, such as this noble Marine!

“…so many fish, so many flies…do I have enough time?”

28

Marcus, with the greatest respect, you really do need to lighten up. You are turning a quiet moment of respect into a disagreement that shames the image.

29

Come on Gringo…with all do respect…what’s the point of beating a dead horse?

30

Hey Skeet;
“…the heartfelt gratitude and honor to call this Marine a fellow citizen is beyond my feeble attempts to put into words…”, are words I wish I would have used to caption this photograph. Instead I chose " You too will stand and salute". There were some here who somehow read " will" as “should” into that caption. I assure everyone, that was not the intent.
To the extent that I caused a misunderstanding over such a captured sacred moment, I apologize.
Mark

PS. I will ask JC to remove this thread. It is not to be argued over.

31

Marco you can delete this thread yourself using the edit function for your origional post. Not saying you should or have to but you have that option on any thread you start.

all leaders tangle; mine are just better at it than most. Jim

32

Hey, Marco

Please don’t remove it! I was truly touched. I had not seen that image. I do thank oyu for sharing.

Don

33

Marco,
We just returned to town…Thank you for not removing this thread, or I’d not have seen the picture. It’s truly beautiful.
Betty

Trouts don’t live in ugly places

[This message has been edited by Betty Hiner (edited 27 May 2005).]

34

Marco,
I am speechless. God Bless our troops!

Eric “nighthawk”

Your attitude determines your altitude!

35

Apparently those of us who were moved by this powerful image are not alone. I just “googled” Sgt. Mark Graunkes’ name, read and …

Mark

Remember

36

Gotta bump this up. Doesn’t deserve to be lost in 6th.

Mark

37

The devastating effects of war on body, mind, and soul simply can not be understood by those who have not been there. For those who thirst for that understanding they may never be quenched.

Steeped in honor, this image brings us haunting toward that understanding. One suddenly finds themselves emotionally confronted, conflicted, and compelled. These emotions whether inward or outward, can not easily be gauged. However for the few who do possibly feel nothing, it is my hope that at the least they are not on this board.

AC

38

Hey there AC;
I am humbled by your ability to convey in words EXACTLY what I attempted to convey in my second post. You sir, are RIGHT ON!

Mark

39

My Friend,

It is not possible for those who have not been there to know, fully appreciate, or understand. The need for them to know, fully appreciate, or understand is a need that can never be satisfied. Your served and sacrifice must be satisfaction enough.

I salute you, as I am sure do most if not all of us at FAOL!