Hey Jo, my thoughts are with you and your buddies that were lost for whatever reason. Myself, I hoisted a couple at midnight in memory of the fallen. Although I served just after the end of the Cold War and haven't lost any friends or relatives, I still remember Memorial Day 1993 when I saw the Wall for the first time. I was then, and forever will be, moved by the sight of that black granite and the names etched in it.

Semper Fi, buddy.

I'll be 72 next month, and I owe all of you who have served in the intervening wars (far too many!) an immeasurable debt of gratitude. I have not always agreed about the wars, but I have always honored those who served in them.

God bless, and thank you.

Good for you. I had to go, also had to suffer through the incumbent Republican's google speech of memorial day. His idea of sacrifice: Tell a vet "thanks for your service." I sure hope he enjoys the $70B tax cut W gave rich guys like him. The army reserve unit leaving for Iraq, again, in June? They got just enough to pay for gas to go shopping for body armor since W forget to equip the troops for the third tour.

I happened to flip thru the channels - saw W The Dumbfucker.. mumbling something about "those who served" - I screamed "NOT YOU THOUGH, ASSHOLE" -

...and promptly went out and mowed the lawn in Honor of my fallen brothers - and those sweating their asses off in the sandbox. At the time it was 89 outside, and felt like 94.

If only I had MOPP gear to wear.

"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
KIA Dak To, Vietnam

Jo, Well Said! ...and I think you caught the essence of being a veteran.

966 days to go.

In Summer '69 there was a 2LT named Russ Steindam who was passing through my unit stateside on his way to RVN; he was with us for about six months as a Platoon Leader awaiting orders.

He was a great guy and we were sorry to see him leave, and sorrier to learn he'd been killed in February 1970.

By a series of truly eerie coincidences, about two weeks ago I learned that Russ had been awarded the MOH Posthumously for his actions at the time of his death. I also learned that his son (who was born after Russ was killed) is today an Airborne Ranger Cpt. in the Army and has completed one tour in Iraq.

Russ was one of those gentle heroes who I recall this Memorial Day.

Reporting from hotel balconies? Was'nt that the message of Laura Ingram, neocon lapdog of this administration? After all, she did spend what, eight whole days in Iraq, traveling around the green zone in an APC. Why are'nt they out there reporting about all the schools being built, while they are doddging bullets and bombs. These veteran reporters have been reproting in war zones for decades, risking their lives to get to the truth. The truth is we had the initiative, and lost it because we did not send in a large enough force to transition the nation. Once upon a time, these reporters could drive around Iraq to get their stories, not anymore. Now they have to fly or drive with a military convoy. All because we followed the failed plan of this administration.

Neo cons should be ashamed of themselves. We still have not changed course. Still not enough troops in theater to set security and win. We should have gone into Iraq with 400-700 thousand troops, just like the Generals who got fired told us. Instead, we are floundering around, while this admin plays the blame game, blaming the media for their utter incompetence. Calling past military commanders in Iraq "unpatriotic" because they tell the truth to power. Denying reality.Using memorial day as a photo op to sell their failed plan. Invoking "freedom" and "liberty" to cover up their complete stupidity. When are we going to raise an army large enough to fight this regional war?? When are we going to project enough power to win? Now that this administration has let it deteriorate to this point, how many more lives will it cost than if we had done this right in the first place? Utter incompetence I tell you. Impeach.
Chieckenhawks- Enjoy your tax cuts.
All others- God bless you.

I am one of those with 22 years who never was in the wrong place, wrong time. But I know that my service did count. I had 5 years in combat arms (11B, 11H, 11E) and the shit could have hit the fan for me and my own buddies). Some did die in training (of those I was personally aware of it was usually 11Cs). It really does matter a hell of a lot to be one of the ones who showed up... and I salute them all.

It was a good day to think of those who didn't come home for what-ever reason. Hopefully everyone who could have that beer did, for those who weren't there to join them.

That chickenshit george has no right to set one foot at Arlington.

1. Timely
   
2. Strategery
   
3. Webb wins
   
4. Huh?
   
5. Bunnypants in Bagdad
   
6. Outage
   
7. Filthy Lucre Watch
   
8. Playing the numbers
   
9. My letter to Countdown
   
10. Jefferson's Nigerian Scams