OT: Happy Memorial Day

[Keith Wassung]

Happy Memorial Day everyone. What is everyone doing today?

I was actually born on Memorial Day, up until about 1975, Memorial Day was always on May 31st, then it was changed to be a Monday, (in order to make it a 3 day weekend)

I am going to call all of my relatives who served and thank them. Going to clean out the home gym/garage and throw a bunch of stuff out. Probably take the family to Moes for lunch and we might do a bit of shopping as my twins turn 4 this Thursday. I plan on hitting the squat rack this afternoon and doing some damage there and then have a royal rumble wrestling match with my kids for the championship of the free world this evening.

 

[Deleted member 130905]

Happy Memorial Day every one.

And Keith, that sounds like one hell of a day you have ahead of you.

 

[flak]

Happy Memorial Day, indeed. Thanks to all you folks who served.

I helped my kid build a raft and we're going to a picnic at a lake.

 

[Cap'n]

Keith, can I be your adopted son? Because that sounds fucking awesome.

 

[Merrill]

Probably take the family to Moes for lunch

Moe's Southwest Grill is awesome.

 

[Bubble Boy]

Working today.
On my lunch break I'm at the in-laws for a "Memorial Day" lunch, then back to work.

Tonight I'll call my Dad (served in Viet Nam) and Granddad (served in WWII and Korean war, pilot), and tell them I'm thinking about them today. I know they both lost friends in the wars, and my Dad told me that his best friend (a medic conscientious objector) died in his arms on the battle field. My Granddad was shot down over Korea and was a prisoner of war, tortured, etc...while my Grandmother was home trying to raise 4 kids and put food on the table. She saved the teletype that was delivered to her by the officer who came to her door.
"Regret to inform you that your husband was shot down by enemy fire over Korea and his where abouts are unknown."

So tonight I'll call them.

I'll also continue to fire off e-mails to my congress people encouraging them to pass the new GI Bill and it's better educational benefits for veterans.
I'll encourage law makers to stand up for better medical care, disability pensions, mental health care programs, and education benefits for our veterans.

Here's a blurb from an editorial by JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY, a military columnist for McClatchy Newspapers and a former senior military correspondent for Knight Ridder Newspapers:


...So let's review the bidding here this Memorial Day.
Let's all pay lip service to Support Our Troops. But if we want to be honest, we should edit those yellow-ribbon bumper stickers to say Support Our Troops - As Long As It Doesn't Cost Anything.
Let's acknowledge that this new generation of soldiers and Marines is amazingly motivated and talented. They're expected to be good killers, good diplomats and ambassadors of American goodwill who operate under impossibly complex rules of engagement in impossibly dangerous and deadly environments.
But if they come home wounded, their brains rattled by the huge IED's of the new way of war, and if they suffer the horrors of PTSD nightmares and flashbacks, let's dump them on the streets with the least amount of help and benefits possible, as cheaply as possible.
For sure we don't want to improve their chances, better their future prospects, by offering them the same college benefits we gave their grandfathers six decades ago. God help us if they all get college degrees and figure out what we've done to them.

 

[Hardac]

Today is my birthday and it usually falls on Memorial Day. When I was a kid I always thought the parade was for me. Now, I'm older and know better. Today I don't celebrate my birthday, I celebrate my grandfathers and my friends who have given their lives for our country. Thank You.

 

[skyboat]

Not an American but full respects to all who have served or are currently serving.

 

[Keith Wassung]

Happy Birthday Hardac!

Even though Memorial Day is an American holiday, that does not limit our thanks and gratitude to those who served in other countries. The contributions and sacrifices of our allies were no less meaningful and appreciated than those of our own

 

[Deleted member 130905]

Happy Birthday Hardac!

Even though Memorial Day is an American holiday, that does not limit our thanks and gratitude to those who served in other countries. The contributions and sacrifices of our allies were no less meaningful and appreciated than those of our own

True that. Thanks to all who have served our country and our allies'.

 

[The Colonel]

I'm currently serving at a nuclear missile launch facility. Its not near as cool as it sounds.

 

[Keith Wassung]

I'm currently serving at a nuclear missile launch facility. Its not near as cool as it sounds.

Colonel,

Thank you for your service.

I was a LOS (Launcher Operations Supervisor) of the Missile Control Center aboard a
Trident-1missile submarine back in the 80's. Spent a lot of time staring at red and green lights. I had an assistant LOS and a security guard on watch at the same time. After standing about 100 6 hour watches with the same guys, it reached the point where I knew their entire life story, who their second grade teacher was, what their shop project was in junior high, etc.

Happy Memorial Day

 

[bad_coupon]

May, 26 is Mother's Day where I come from Here's to you. And my mom.

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[ThinkGreen]

I'm lifting, then working. Cheers

 

[bacon]

Woke up to a huge breakfast that the wife made. Then spent the rest of the morning learning how to play "Turn it again" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers on guitar.

I just chopped up a bunch of beef, carrots, celery, potatoes and an onion for a gigantic pot of beef stew for next week's lunches. I'm about to go hit the weights and the rings. When I'm done, I'll hit the shower, call my step dad and say "thanks for serving" and then I'll start making some ho-made pizza for me and the wife.


Happy Memorial Day, fellas. And happy birthday to Keith and Hardac.

 

[ratman201]

Just wanted to pop in and say this is a more sober and refective memoral day for me.

My friend from culinary school died last week while out on the river fishing. He was a decorated Marine and lost his right arm in Fallujah. He just got back to the states this past fall.

His name is Chris Johnson and his unit is the subject of the film Warriors...in their own words

A big thank you to everyone that has served.

 

[RedNeckJiuJitsu]

That's tough, rat.

I got up this mornin' and had to drive in to work for 2 hours. I've spent the rest of the day loungin' around mainly. Should try to get a workout in and try to record a couple of my songs to put on my myspace...

Also should call my best friend who's in Air Force tech school...

 

[Lusst]

I woke up this morning and cut the lawn, then went to my brother-in-law's house and he taught me how to change brake pads.

I'll give my grandfather a call at the nursing home tonight - he's an old Marine Captain who served in Guam during WW2.

 

[ratman201]

That's tough, rat.

Yeah I've had a few moments where it was hard to hold it together today. Our class had only 6 people in it spend 6 hourss a night 4 nights a week for the last 4 months with him, very tight knit group. Now hes gone. We were going try to start a catering company. Oh, man, today is rough.

 

[RedNeckJiuJitsu]

I'll keep ya in my prayers, man.