IN HONOR OF ALL WHO DIED

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), May 31, 1999

Answers

Aum, Peace, Amen. May their blood and valor not be in vain. May we rise to freedom's call and task in the New Century.

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), May 31, 1999.

GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!

-- Tony C. (yo7@bellsouth.net), May 31, 1999.

Gayla...thank you. It's time we pause and remember those who gave their life. I'm on my way to the Veterans National Cemetary for the annual Memorial Day Program. AND I have my flag in the front yard. (I'm the only one on the street with a flag out on days like this).

-- quietly lurking (quietly@lurking.com), May 31, 1999.

Yes,

Thank you, Gayla. Many lives were released in passing on the torch of Freedom.

Remembering and feeling grateful.

What torch will each one of us pass on, to the next generation? And the seven generations beyond them?

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 31, 1999.

May light perpetual shine on those who have given there lives to keep the torch of freedom burning and the tree of liberty watered.

It's up to us now. Let us not shy from the task.

The price is still the same.

God bless America.

-- Greybear (greybear@home.com), May 31, 1999.

from another list (and no, I don't know the original author, sorry):

A VETERAN DIED TODAY

He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast, and he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past. Of a war he had fought in and the deeds that he had done. In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, everyone. And `tho sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke, all his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tails no longer, for ol' Bob has passed away, and the world's a little poorer, for a Veteran died today.

No, he won't be mourned by many, just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, quietly going on his way; and the world won't note his passing; `tho a Veteran died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state, while thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories, from the time that they were young, but the passing of a Veteran, goes unnoticed, and unsung. Is the greatest contribution, to the welfare of our land, some jerk who breaks his promise and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife, goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?

The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives, are sometimes disproportionate, to the services he gives. While the ordinary Veteran, who offered up his all, is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension, small. It's so easy to forget them, for it is so long ago, that our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys, went to battle, but we know. It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys, who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand, would you really want some cop-out, with his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Veteran, who has sworn to defend, his home, his kin and Country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common Veteran, and his ranks are growing thin, but his presence should remind us, we may need his likes again. For when countries are in conflict, then we find the Military's part, is to clean up all the troubles, that the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor, while he is here to hear the praise, then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline, in the paper that might say:

OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, FOR A VETERAN DIED TODAY

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), May 31, 1999.

Gayla, what a beautiful flag! I pray God keeps our wonderful country safe in spite of our transgressions against His will. My only hope is that His mercy is infinite.

-- Betty Alice (Barn266@aol.com), May 31, 1999.

Thank you Gayla. "God bless those who have died.....and those who are about to"

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), May 31, 1999.

My favorite chatroom holds a Haiku and Limerick session every Sunday. These are some of the offerings from yesterday. ~~~ Hallyx

The topic of war/ makes me shiver to the core./ What is it good for?

Sometimes it is a true test/ To give thanks for what we are blest/ Think not of yourself/ Take God off the shelf/ And always extend your best.

If we remember/ what we are celebrating/ maybe it will stop

The flag unflurled flaps/ in the wind, where all the real/ answers are blowing.

I remember Dad/ trying to forget the War./ No one would let him.

Four score and seven years back/ Our forefathers were on track/ We shielded our eyes/ And what a surprise/ Morality fades to black.

Fought in World War 2/ Korea and Vietnam/ Had enough of war.

Old men wage battles/ A casual game of chess/ People disappear.

Put flags on their graves/ remember the sacrifice/ stop the madness NOW

The bugler plays "Taps"/ it has always made me cry/ I'll never know why.

Watching the flowers/ brushing the tombstones, trumpet/ blast Taps on my heart.

Mother always cried/ When the bugler played taps. Her/ blue star turned gold

-- Hallyx (Hallyx@aol.com), May 31, 1999.

Each Memorial Day I remember- remembering the time that I was a 9 year old boy, confused why my most loved brother Charles, never returned from the war (WW II, 1944).

-- Joseph (Here.in@Tucson.AZ.com), May 31, 1999.

Seen at Milwaukee's Memorial Day Parade.

A darling little girl (maybe all of 4 yrs old) bringing up the rear of a baton twirling corps carrying a hand lettered sign:

"THANK YOU VETERANS".

jh

-- john hebert (jt_hebert@hotmail.com), May 31, 1999.

"Taps"

Day is done. Gone the sun,
From the lakes, From the hills.
From the sky. All is well.
Safely rest. God is nigh.

-- rb (pb@webtv.x), May 31, 1999.

music link

-- x (x@t.z.), May 31, 1999.

Only in America can a Viet Nam Veteran live in a cardboard box...

And a draft dodger live in the White House

Thank you Viet Nam veterans.!!!

-- GeeGee (GeeGee@madtown.com), May 31, 1999.

Rest in peace.

-- taps (taps@taps.taps), May 31, 1999.

VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) used to quote some members in their newsletter:

"Honor the warrior: F*** the War!" (or "Stop the War)

-- jor-el (jor-el@krypton.uni), June 01, 1999.