(Non Diving) Memorial Day Salute

[pasley]

:salute:This Memorial Day, its no picnic but a day to remember those who answered the call of their nation and sacrificed their lives for our freedoms. Let us pause for a moment and remember the real reason for the day. The Fallen Hero's of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom may be found here www.militarycity.com/valor/honor.html

This year, I will pause to remember the 43 Men and Women I had the privilege of knowing for a brief time, some well, some as just faces or names I recognize as having shared a table at meals in the diving facility in Baghdad Iraq. Hero's all who served their country and sacrificed everything so others may live in freedom.

Here I will mention just two. Not Americans, and not soldiers, but hero's just the same;

George (his code name we knew him by) one of our Iraqi interpreter who always had our back. One day in the first week of April 2007, he was ready to leave for his once a month 3 days off to visit his pregnant wife and 2 year old daughter, but he stayed to translate for me anyway. When I finished talking with my Iraqi counterpart we said good buy for the last time. He was Kidnapped from his fathers house, tortured for 3 days and murdered.

John (again a code name) interpreter for our Quick Reaction force. He was also Kidnapped, tortured for 3 days and murdered in early December 2006.

"It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag."
Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

 

[dwaters]

Thanks, Mel for this reminder.... yes, unless you have spent time away from our wonderfull USA, we do not really know how good we have it here. Do we have problems? Yes, but not even close to what others endure. My thanks and prayers go out to all that have sacrificed so much to give us the freedoms we have.

 

[Cyclops_Diver]

To all who answered the call, and stood tall.

Semper Fidelis.

 

[Beachlover]

Thank you to everyone who has served in any of our military branches!! We should all support our troops and recognize and appreciate the sacrifices that they make for all of us. Go USA!!

 

[liuk3]

Thank you from a very grateful American.

 

[JMdiver]

That was excellent Mel you rock.

John

 

[Rickster]

Thank you, Mel!!!!!

 

[TroupH2O]

I very sobering story. There are many who have served to protect freedom and paid an ultimate cost. All I can say is THANK YOU to those people.

 

[letterboy]

OIF 07-09, Thanks

"Sicut Quercus"
ALWAYS!​

 

[bogrady]

Those of us who never served will never truly understand the sacrifice that those who do make on our behalf. Nor will we ever be able to adequately thank you for that sacrifice. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try – every chance we get.

So from this Texas Swamp Diver to all of you who serve our nation – THANK YOU!– and I for one promise to never abuse the privileges of freedom and liberty that you give so much to defend.