THANK YOU!!!
- Thread starter meowzer
- Start date
rickross23
Active Member
Thank you vets.
mantisman51
Active Member
Indeed! I especially remember MSG Jerry Shriver today. He gave his life providing cover for the rescue helicopters to come in and save what was left of his squad in Cambodia in April 1969 by assaulting the COSVN headquarters with the aid of his 3 'Yard comrades. As the last helicopter lifted off, the 1-0 saw Sgt Shriver get hit by at least 3 machine gun bullets. But he was still advancing on the enemy bunker. Radio Hanoi proudly proclaimed they had killed "Mad Dog" Shriver and his body would be displayed in Hanoi. Jerry Shriver is still MIA-PD. My father-in-law might not have come back to his infant daughter if not for men like MSG Shriver and the MACV-SOG. If I may, I would like to post a letter by Major Sullivan Ballou to his wife. I believe it best demonstrates the love, courage and patriotism of our servicemen:
July 14,1861
Camp Clark, Washington DC
Dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. And lest I should not be able to write you again I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more.
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence can break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all the blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them for so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes and future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and see our boys grown up to honorable manhood around us.
If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name...
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have sometimes been!...
But, 0 Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be with you, in the brightest day and in the darkest night... always, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath, or the cool air your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again...
[hr]
Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the 1st Battle of Bull Run.
July 14,1861
Camp Clark, Washington DC
Dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. And lest I should not be able to write you again I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I am no more.
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this government, and to pay that debt.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but omnipotence can break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly with all those chains to the battlefield. The memory of all the blissful moments I have enjoyed with you come crowding over me, and I feel most deeply grateful to God and you, that I have enjoyed them for so long. And how hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes and future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and see our boys grown up to honorable manhood around us.
If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name...
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have sometimes been!...
But, 0 Sarah, if the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they love, I shall always be with you, in the brightest day and in the darkest night... always, always. And when the soft breeze fans your cheek, it shall be my breath, or the cool air your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for me, for we shall meet again...
[hr]
Sullivan Ballou was killed a week later at the 1st Battle of Bull Run.
gemmy
Active Member
Thank you to all the men and women that have served our country. Without them, I would not have the freedoms that I have. Today is a day to remember all those who have served and their families. The servicemen/women that serve give up many things in order to serve their country. Their families also make sacrifices for them to be able to. So to all the men, women and their families I again say thank you.
novahobbies
Well-Known Member
Thanks, to both of my grandfathers, who served during WWII and Korea.
Thanks, to my best friend's son, for his tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. I saw a boy leave us on the day he boarded his plane. I saw a man return who had seen things I can hardly imagine.
Thanks, to all the loved ones, who fight for the freedoms we so often take for granted in our nation.
For every soldier who has held a gun on the front lines, thank you.
For every soldier who has worked behind the scenes in support positions, thank you.
For every soldier who has signed their names and said, "I will do this for my family, for my friends, and for my country,"
Thank You.
Thanks, to my best friend's son, for his tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. I saw a boy leave us on the day he boarded his plane. I saw a man return who had seen things I can hardly imagine.
Thanks, to all the loved ones, who fight for the freedoms we so often take for granted in our nation.
For every soldier who has held a gun on the front lines, thank you.
For every soldier who has worked behind the scenes in support positions, thank you.
For every soldier who has signed their names and said, "I will do this for my family, for my friends, and for my country,"
Thank You.