Lest we forget.

[dennilfloss]

I did not feel well enough to attend the ceremony here in Ottawa this year but I watched it on television.

 

[SVT Cobra]

The Minstrel Boy
Thomas Moore, 1779-1852

The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" cried the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy right shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"

The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's steel
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free
They shall never sound in slavery!



Ignore the video but that's a modern version of the irish ballad by Joe Strummer and the Mesceralos, it was played during the credits of Black Hawk Down

It is very beautiful.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Xylitol
This is retarded that there are only 2 pages of people remembering the verterans

Thank you for protecting our nation

Trust me, the support is there stronger than ever.

Most people have the hearts and souls of our Veterans on mind today.

Most are sullen because we feel bad about the present situation.

to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in the past

for those fighting for us today

for those we lose in the future protecting us tomorrow

 

[squiggledot]

 

[tk149]

/salutes the brave men and women who keep us safe

 

[BoomerD]

Thanks to all the Brave
Men and Women
Who have served our country!


Semper Fi!
USMC 1970-1973

 

[Mean MrMustard]

Originally posted by: Perknose
Dulce Et Decorum Est

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.

Gas! Gas! Quick, boys!?An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime...
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,?
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.


- Wilfred Owen

"He is perhaps just as well-known for having been killed in action at the Sambre-Oise Canal just a week before the war ended, causing news of his death to reach home as the town's church bells declared peace."

The first American to die in WWI was from Evansville, IN.

<Tips hat...>

 

[GZeus]

In gratitude for all the gifts I enjoy through the bravery and sacrifice of others who came before me.

Lest we forget.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

Does my dad count? he served in the Republic of Korea Air Force after he did his time w/ the Korean army.

He flew the F-5, and was involved with a mission against North Korea after two US servicemen were hacked to death by their own axe after attempting to cut down a tree that blocked their line of site to the border. 1976
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Paul_Bunyan <--- more info.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Does my dad count? he served in the Republic of Korea Air Force after he did his time w/ the Korean army.

He flew the F-5, and was involved with a mission against North Korea after two US servicemen were hacked to death by their own axe after attempting to cut down a tree that blocked their line of site to the border. 1976

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, your Dad counts!

The next time you see him, please thank him personally from me for his service.

And in remembrance of Captain Arthur Bonifas and 1st Lt. Mark Barrett. :brokenheart:

 

[Perknose]

And, finally for me, this last salute is simply something I have to do, and long overdue.

I would like to take this late day, in this late, late year, and in this imperfect forum, to quietly tip my hat in respect and remembrance to all the brave Vietnamese patriots who gave their lives in their long bitter struggle against the Japaneese, the French, and then, yes, against we fellow American warriors so that your country could finally be your own.

My wish is that your dead, and our dead -- gone too young, too soon -- may finally have found peace, and perhaps even brotherhood.

We came calling you gooks and charlie and worse, but, Sir Charles, I leave saluting your almost unimaginable bravery, and mourning the near senseless slaughter on both sides, may God forgive us all. :brokenheart:

 

[ForumMaster]

you know, the funny thing is, it is my dad's birthday. exactly. he was born at 11 AM on the 11th of november!

 

[TallBill]

Your welcome

 

[Ibiza]

Respect to the brave men and woman who fought for their countries and for our future.

 

[Steve]

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.