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[elvislee]

GH w/08SERK...No wrong impression taken here. I had to look it up too because I sure didn't know; just didn't see what I thought I saw...All is cool brother ...Everyone ride safe and enjoy the weekend

[elvislee]

BigR55
 
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Tuesday May 20th, we had a memorial service here for 21 year old Sgt. Joseph Ford who was killed in Iraq.

The Patriot Riders met the plane at the airport and escorted the hearse to the funeral home. Then on Tuesday, from the funeral home to the cemetery. Quite impressive and admiralable. I just wish people would learn to at least stop traffic as is done in the south when the procession passes. 
 
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BigR55...Yes, I remember when I was a kid in 1961 one of my dad's friends (Truck Driver)  gave me a lift from Meridian, Mississippi down to Belle Glade, Florida to visit my aunt's and uncles. It's one of the things I remember clear as day to this day when a funeral procession was heading our way; EVERY CAR on the road pulled of to the side and the old trucker pulled off his hat and placed it over his heart. When the procession passed; we continued on and the old trucker never said a word to me ; I just knew...Still do it till this day as many cars stop while some continue to pass by...As Bob Dylan says "The times they are a changing".

[Sean M Cary]

Man in the Arena

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

[Special_Ed]

Man in the Arena

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

That just about says it all. Thank you to all those who have protected our country and those who are now protecting it.

Semper Paratus

Ed
 

[BigR55]

Great post Florida,

I will print that one and save it. 

[Hugh Janis]

In honor of Memorial Day and also in honor of Honor.....


Look carefully at the B-17 and note how shot up it is - one engine dead,
tail, horizontal stabilizer and nose shot up. It was ready to fall out of the sky.
Then realize that there is a German ME-109 fighter flying next to it.
Read the story below. I think you'll be surprised.

Charlie Brown was a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot with the 379th Bomber Group at Kimbolton,England. His B-17 was called 'Ye Old Pub' and was in a terrible state, having been hit by flak and fighters. The compass was damaged and they were flying deeper over enemy territory, instead of heading home to Kimbolton.

After flying over an enemy airfield, a German pilot named Franz Stigler was
ordered to take off and shoot down the B-17. When he got near the B-17, he could not believe his eyes.
In his words,"I had never seen a plane in such a bad state."
The tail and rear section were severely damaged, and the tail gunner wounded.
The top gunner was all over the top of the fuselage. The nose WA S smashed
and there were holes everywhere .

Despite having ammunition, Franz flew to the side of the B-17 and looked at
Charlie Brown, the pilot. Brown was scared and struggling to control his
damaged and blood-stained plane.

Aware that they had no idea where they were going, Franz waved at Charlie to
turn 180 degrees. Franz escorted and guided the stricken plane to, and
slightly over, the North Sea towards England. He then saluted Charlie Brown
and turned away, back to Europe.

When Franz landed, he told the CO that the plane had been shot down
over the sea, and never told the truth to anybody. Charlie Brown and the remains
of his crew told all at their briefing, but were ordered never to talk about it.

More than 40 years later, Charlie Brown wanted to find the Luftwaffe pilot
who saved the crew. After years of research, Franz was found.
He had never talked about the incident, not even at post-war reunions.

They met in the USA at a 379th Bomber Group reunion, together with 25 people
who are alive now - all because Franz never fired his guns that day.
Research shows that Charlie Brown lived in Seattle and Franz Stigler had
moved to Vancouver,BC after the war. When they finally met, they discovered
that at some point in their lives, they had lived less than 200 miles apart !

True Story, Check Out Snopes.
http://WWW.snopes.Com/military/charliebrown.asp
Please check out the above website. I did and the story is true.
 
Franz Stigler passed away March 22, 2008

[Hugh Janis]

........Charlie & Franz

[BigR55]

I had heard of this story but never knew the details or saw the photos. Thanks!

[Lzyboy]

     Like others here, this day is very special to me. My family is very rooted in military history, won't bore you with details. I am very proud to be in the service and fall in line with my family history. If you notice my post above my picture the VFW I am a life time member of. With that said, Support you're VFWs! become a member! (besides the liquor is cheaper) Stop and tell them, "thank you for you're service". They need it has well as we do.

    For my past and present brothers and sisters I thank you for all you have done and are doing. No one will understand unless they have walked in our shoes.

 I leave you with this:
     Remember to keep your powder dry and ......

[amigo Jorge]

Memorial Day originally (Declaration Day) began to honor the deaths of Union soldiers during the Civil War. Later, the men and women who died in all wars and millitary actions while in millitary service of their country were included...These men and women deserve our utmost gratitude; so, while we are out grilling, ridin, swimming, or whatever we all do on this day...lets set aside just a moment to stop and think what WE have and why we have it and say THANK YOU to them ALL...Everyone ride safe and have a fun weekend

Thanks for remind that   

[Jock]

Not only this weekend but any time you see one...Thank A Vet For Their Service To Our Country.

[cuthbertss]

This is always a time for reflection for those of us who serve or have served......
Veterans Day is harder for me..... im not sure why exactly, but it is.

Please thank a veteran, and, if you have the unfortunate opportunity to do so, I encourage all of you

to attend a memorial service or a funeral for a fallen soldier at some point.

I gave very specific guidance to my suboordinate leaders to do this, as in their case it brings home
the level of responsibility that they hold for their young men and women,

in many of your cases it, it simply is a great opportunity to show respect for someone who has made the ultimate sacrifice.

[cuthbertss]

and a gift for my Marine Brethren....

awe inspiring.

http://our.marines.com/cms_content/showblogvideo/rel_id/169/id/870

the armys Advertising  team has gotten much better..but they can't touch this

[cuthbertss]

and for those of us who live in Foliage Green



i happen to like this campaign MUCH better than the old

"Join the Army and get a Check" crap

[Hugh Janis]

Thanks Scott, those are awesome.  I can't wait for the town parade Monday.  I always shed a tear when the Legion and VFW posts go by.  They get quite an ovation.