Thank You Veterans!

[rfwoodvt]

Well, it is that time of year again to reaffirm that we should "never forget."

Right now I am sitting in the midst of a sea of over 375 US Flags that fill my living room. Each flag will be retired individually, according the US Code Title 36 Chapter 10 Sections 173-178 tomorrow during a ceremony that my son, Aaron, is organizing for his Eagle Scout Service Project.

As I sit here and type, I find myself staring at the flags and all sorts of images come to my mind. I see the moment when the USA Hockey Team Goalie wrapped himself in Old Glory after winning the Gold in 1980... When the Marines planted the flag on Mount Sirubachi in WWII and when each Apollo crew planted one on the moon.

I also see the heartbreaking moments when the flag was taken down from the US Embassies in Saigon and Tehran.

I see the Firefighters raising it on Ground Zero, I see students saluting it during the start of thier day. I see Other Students each year gather around the flag pole to pray for thier school and teachers.

I also see it draped over the caskets of our recently fallen soldiers...and as time marches on, I am now seeing it draped on more of the caskets of our aging Veterans.

What is it about this flag? It is merely a symbol, cloth, thread and dyes, yet it stirs up so much emotion, thought, pride and anger in people. And though it is only a symbol, it represents that which we are as a people...it represents that which we have, will and can do as a nation. Actions speak louder than words obviously, and yet this flag speaks loudly of our compassion, courage and willingness to stand by liberty.

Our Veterans have answered the call to "Do" that which needed to be done. They put aside thier own lives to be ready to stand in the gap for our sake and to defend liberty.

I invite you to join me on this day of remembrance, this 11th day of the 11th month. I ask you to stop at the 11th hour, to lower our eyes together, remember, and offer heartfelt thanksgiving to those who have gone on our behalf to do that which we ourselves could not, or would not otherwise do.

And if you are living free in any other country in the world, I invite you to remember all veterans. My remembrance will inclued the Aussies, The Brits, The Canadians, all those who have done thier part in modern history for the sake of Liberty.

Here is link to a music video that I have found to be inspiring and it has now become tradition as part of my 'Remembrance Day" I hope you find it inspiring too!

http://www.rfwood.com/Pittance.wmv
if the Link Does not Work you can get it on my homepage at
www.rfwood.com

At the risk of forgetting a name, here are the veterans I wish to remember, and say thank you to. And if I have missed your name and you have served on my behalf, ThanX!

Todd Baker
Elwood Beck
Patrick Beck
Chris Beck
Harry Fox
Art Garafolo
John Jacob
David Jones
Abe Lewis
Chris McCaig
Gordie Moulton
Fran Schlessinger
Matt Schlessinger
David Wood
Eric Wood
Fred Wood
Jack Wood
Wayne Royce
Lance Royce
*Elsworth Royce
*Roy Newton
*Al DiNonno
Dick Dudas
Larry Brown
*Sandy Atherton

(* Deceased)

 

[RedlineIt]

Thanks, rfwoodvt, for the "Pittance of Time" video.

My immediate family has been so lucky. My Grandfather got out of Czechoslovakia to Canada between wars with his wife and three children, had three more here on free soil.

My Father became of draft age in the Autumn of '45, went to serve as an infantryman. Peace was declared as his ship was days out of harbour, he ended up guarding German POW's, safe and sound, still won't discuss what he learned about the Nazi interrment camps other than to say the end did not come soon enough.

Two hours from now I'll be on my way to a Cenotaph to bow my head before those who have fought to provide my freedom. Lest we forget.




RedlineIt

 

[Magnum783]

I would like to honor today SSgt Johnathan Lane
Died serving our country a proud father and Airman the like. Not to mention my good friend. A smile on Monday morning when we reported to work and never a dull moment everything was full of fun.
We miss you lots man.
Jared

 

[tree md]

Thanks!

Thanks to all you vets and those currently serving for doing what you do and making it possible for us to do what we do!

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

You are very welcome.

USMC 8.5 years

 

[Magnum783]

I too pass on the thanks, USAF 6 years and sitting on a 10 Year hitch.
Jared

 

[MNTAINGAL23]

Thanks to all that served or are serving

Thanks to all that have served and are serving.
My Dad and Father in law are veterans.
My coworder and friend has a son serving in the marines right now and we have various other friends and relatives serving.
We thank all of them and everyone else for their service.

God Bless you All.

 

[rfwoodvt]

Veterans Day Follow up

First off, SEMPER FI! Jps

I wanted to touch base and let you'all know how the flag retirement ceremony went today.

I guess right off the bat, Aaron ended up retiring over 800 US Flags, 6 State Flags and over a dozen MIA-POW flags. That is far more than the 375 I was staring at last night.

More importantly, I was deeply honored to host a WWII vet as one of our guests of honor at the ceremony. His story will remain etched in my memory for eternity as it vividly captures the selflessness of our veterans and it captures the senselessness of the evil of man.

Harry was a waist gunner on a B17 of the 8th airforce in England. The war was winding down and it looked like this would be thier final mission of the war.

He told me it was a beautiful day, not as if it were ironic, rather it was a beautiful day and he appreciated it. During that mission only two b17's were shot down. His was one of them.

He had recently suffered a stroke and was having a hard time articulating his story, but he did so with grace. You could see in his eyes that he was not just telling the story, he was reliving it.

Harry was the first to bail out, then one of his good buddies was next. The third one out was his best friend at the time. They were out, I assume at several 10s of thousands of feet and they were floating over Nazi controled Pilsn Czechoslovakia.

It was not clear whether anyone else bailed out, but it was clear that only the three of them parachuted safely to earth.

He came down first then his second buddy and eventually he was captured. His best freind landed and a Wermacht Officer summarily executed him with a bullet to the head.

The war ended two weeks later the 8th Air Force flew no more missions.

Duty. Honor. Courage. Some might say, "For what?!" Some might say, "why risk it when it was almost over?"

Harry did it because it had to be done.

Harry reminds me that it is still not finished. Where ever evil is allowed to flourish, it will grow, it will rise again.

Thank You Harry! Thank You Harry's Crew.

Semper Vigilans, Semper Paratus, Semper Fidelis...

Nunquam Oblivisci!