In Memoriam....

Colleges & Universities Service Academy Parents
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<p>June 6th, 1944.</p>

<p>Remember! :mad:</p>

<p>*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 that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.</p>

<p>And tho’ sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we’ll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world’s a little poorer, for a soldier died today.</p>

<p>He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won’t note his passing, though a soldier died today.</p>

<p>When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.</p>

<p>Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises 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?</p>

<p>A politician’s stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.</p>

<p>It’s so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country 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.</p>

<p>Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?</p>

<p>He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier’s part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.</p>

<p>If we cannot do him honour while he’s 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 a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.*</p>

<p>Rest in peace, brave souls. :(</p>

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<p>Beautiful!!! Thank you!</p>

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<p>Thank me? For what?</p>

<p>Thank THEM! :)</p>

<p>For those of you who haven’t had the privilege of visiting the American Cemetery over Omaha Beach (as I was blessed to do many years ago), let me tell you this:</p>

<p>The movie “Saving Private Ryan” made Omaha look EASY. :(</p>

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<p>We were privileged to be at the American Cemetery for the 50th Anniversary of D-day. Awesome spectacle. There were still many vets who were able to attend, and it was a very special ceremony. It is just too bad that there was not a similar celebration of honor and fortitude in the states. I read the poem to my husband and he really appreciated it, although it did set off a bit of a tirade about the value of politicians vs. veterans…</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>I remember walking out of the cemetery and having a vet thank my husband for his service. My husband was humbled and they entered into a mutual admiration society right there on the sidewalk. There is a undefinable link between those who serve. So, Z, thank you for your service, and for posting the poem in recognition of the Greatest Generation.</p>

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<p>We were there on a quiet October afternoon (few tourists). The cemetery was solemn and the beach was nearly empty. It was truly moving and amazing to visualize the invasion.</p>

<p>Haven’t discussed this w/ ds (note to self!), but I wouldn’t be surprised if that experience contributed to his determination to seek a Navy Career. </p>

<p>It is really tragic that so few Americans understand and/or appreciate the struggles & sacrifices that our soldiers & sailors endured during WWII - does it only take one generation to forget??</p>

<p>And even now - people don’t appreciate our military. How can that be?? Maybe it would be different if everyone visited that vast cemetery on the Northern Coast of France.</p>

<p>…But then again, the French don’t appreciate it anymore, and they LIVE there! Go figure!</p>

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<p>While I was there, we found that the French who live in Normandy ADORE Americans, and have not forgotten.</p>

<p>The REST of them, however… :rolleyes:</p>

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<p>My husband and I took our five children (then aged 12 through 17) there July, 2004. The cemetery was crowded! There were people of all ages (many children) and from many different countries but you would not know it if you closed your eyes. People were quiet, subdued, and respectful, and not just the Americans – it was incredibly moving and rather overwhelming. We spent a day visiting the beaches, Pont du Hoc, the American Cemetery and one of the British cemeteries. I know it made a huge impression on our children (and on us). My father spent the last year and a half of the war as a prisoner in Stalag 17 and so did not participate in D-Day (he was captured Dec. 1943) but I still felt I was honoring him, and all who served, when we visited there.</p>

<p>We too found the people of Normandy to be warm and welcoming but we also had great experiences with the French we met in Paris and the Loire. The people we met were wonderful – we asked one lady (in awful guidebook French) for help finding a metro station and she walked two blocks out of her to take us to the station.</p>

<p>Thank you for posting the beautiful tribute Zaphod.</p>

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<p>In my travels around the world, it is much like it is here. The more mature members of a society remember and are aware of the atrocities of the 20th century. They know what America fought for, how the world would be very different today if it were not for American bravery, etc. and they appreciate US.</p>

<p>Just as we have seen demonstrated endlessly on these threads, it is the young that do not appreicate what they have. Siting on a chair in front of a computer, having stood and fought for nothing, no experience with sacrifice, no hardship in their lives, the young, too frequently, believe the world to be a different place than it is.</p>

<p>When you visit Normandy, Arlington Cemetery, the Vietnam Memorial, when you consider the young lives that did not become old, it is a very humbling experience. [Especially for us boomers for whom military service was not an attractive option during the late 60s and most of the seventies.] That is, if you have any sense at all. Otherwise, you just sit at your desk and tip-tap away at a computer and think that you, somehow, contribute to solving the world’s problems, when, in fact, you have contributed nothing and taken very much.</p>

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<p>Bill, I had the same experience in Italy BC (before children) the older folks seem to love Americans while those in their youth were NOT very friendly. So true how quickly people forget.</p>

<p>BTW, Bill I love what you wrote, “you just sit at your desk and tip-tap away at a computer and think that you, somehow, contribute to solving the world’s problems, when, in fact, you have contributed nothing and taken very much.” Like buyer’s remorse… middle age regret! Perhaps that is why I am so enamoured of all these young people who have chosen to serve our country! </p>

<p>Flusna… wow your dad was a POW. Betcha he has some incredible stories!</p>

<p>My father-in-law, a Pole, was sent to a slave labour camp in Siberia when he was 17. This occurred shortly after Stalin’s troops invaded Poland from the east, while Hitler invaded from the west. Later, he and some other men escaped and met up with the Brits. He finished out the war fighting with the Polish regiment of the British Army…fought at the Battle of Monte Casino. What a life!!!</p>

<p>Z… Thanks for the post honoring our military on the anniversary of D-day.</p>

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<p>Amen, Bill.</p>

<p>Amen.</p>

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<p>Perhaps y’all have seen this (I don’t know how long it’s been around), but since it is a “Memorial” Thread, I thought I’d include it.</p>

<p>Obituary: Common Sense<br>
Today we mourn the passing of an old friend by the name of Common Sense. </p>

<p>Common Sense lived a long life but died from heart failure at the brink of the millennium. No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. </p>

<p>He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. </p>

<p>For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, the early bird gets the worm, and life isn’t always fair. </p>

<p>Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it’s okay to come in second. </p>

<p>A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including feminism, body piercing, whole language and “new math.” </p>

<p>But his health declined when he became infected with the “If-it-only-helps-one-person-it’s-worth-it” virus. In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing federal regulation. </p>

<p>He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers and enlightened auditors. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of six-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined even further when schools had to get parental consent to administer aspirin to a student but cannot inform the parent when the female student is pregnant or wants an abortion. </p>

<p>Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims, and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports. </p>

<p>As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic but was kept informed of developments, regarding questionable regulations for asbestos, low flow toilets, “smart” guns, the nurturing of Prohibition Laws and mandatory air bags. </p>

<p>Finally when told that the homeowners association restricted exterior furniture only to that which enhanced property values, he breathed his last. </p>

<p>Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers: Rights, Tolerance and Whiner. </p>

<p>Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. </p>

<p>Credited to George Carlin (?).</p>

<p>Reading this over - one can’t help but realize what a sad commentary it is! (Sorry to be a downer!). Can things change for the better? Can “Common Sense” be revived?? Something to think about - especially over the next two election cycles! Good luck in all your local corners of the world!</p>

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<p>Let’s keep it on track, please.</p>

<p>This is about those who stormed the beaches and dropped from the skies in Normandy 62 years ago.</p>

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<p>If you are ever in New Orleans, you must visit the D-Day Museum. It is one of the most moving places I have ever been.</p>

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<p>I didn’t know there was a museum there. Was it damaged by Katrina?</p>

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<p>only a little bit and it has re opened</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ddaymuseum.org/home.html[/url]”>http://www.ddaymuseum.org/home.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>

</p>

<p>I drove through NO three months ago and I didn’t remember the museum.</p>

<p>IDIOT! :rolleyes:</p>

<p>I hear it’s really something else!</p>