honoring the fallen.

[Wingwiper]

Originally Posted by Coeloptera

Not to be a downer, but it makes me mad that these good people lost their lives for a war so many of us didn't see a need for and most of us don't want now. They could still be alive, contributing to our nation even now...making it better by their service and presence.

Hacks me off...

How dare the administration hide images of flag-draped caskets. I've been a mortician and funeral director, and that is, to me, one of the most disrespectful things you can do to the dead...pretend it didn't happen. Try to hide the reality of sacrifice from people.

- Coeloptera



"One owes respect to the living. To the dead, one owes only the truth." - Voltaire

Coel

With all due respect, these men and women believed in what they were doing, please don't make it a political debate.. Every single one of them Volunteered to do the job. Thanks! there is always two sides and people on both.
The Military does not want to make Public the Flag draped caskets. It is and should be Private and not for supporting a Media/Political Agenda. We already had a Nancy Sheehan who disgraced her son, we don't need the media to make issues of the Coffins. Let it be.....

Thanks for the link... There is something that only a Soldier would know and that is very simply... TO DIE AS A SOLDIER IS THE MOST HONORABLE DEATH, TO DIE FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY AND FOR LOVE OF YOUR BELIEFS IS BY FAR MORE OF AN ACHIEVEMENT THAN DYING OF OLD AGE WITH NO DEDICATIONS TO ONES SELF OR BELIEFS..
Semper Fi

I looked at each of the photos and read what was written about them and I did NOT feel sorrow, I felt a LOVE, a DEVOTION, a PRIDE and I felt HONOR. I looked in their faces and I saw HOPE where others see failure, I saw EFFORT where others would QUIT, I saw COURAGE to see something through, where others would be Distracted. I saw the faces of this country's Finest and Bravest. I saw and felt their love of country and I felt their love for a Better world. Many will sit on their couches and judge the jobs they have done, I look at them as being the ACTION and when I see the FLAG fly high and snap in the breeze, I will see their faces in that flag and feel their love in that breeze. God Bless them all

For those of you who live near, I would HIGHLY suggest to visit Arlington National Cementary in the early part of April for one of the most Heart moving experiences you will ever witness. I have never felt so much Honor, Pride and Peace in one place before or since. Highly Recommended.

[Seabeescotty]

My friend, I was stationed at Fort Myer for a short time, just before I went to Nam. I watched my fellow service members being laid to rest daily. The emotions are impossible for me to relate, but it hardened my resolve to do the best possible job that I could, and make those losses have meaning. The aftermath was a difficult pill to swallow. Being spit on, and having trash thrown at me made me wish that I could be with those who could no longer see what their country had turned into. I will never believe that an American who dies for his country has died in vain. God bless all who make the ultimate sacrifice for their comrades, and for their country!

[tommy]

how could anyone blame a soldier for going to war . he's only doing what he swore he would do and that is follow and obey orders !!!

[benhinds2000]

I wish I could say more, but its alraedy been said. Salute.

[tgverdin]

Are you burning the Marine Corps Flag?
Loves

Semper Fi !!!!
Loves

Sorry I have to get used to this board and how to reply to specific people when I have something to say. My earlier post was for two different people.
Thanks and Loves

Originally Posted by tommy

go through each picture and give them each a few second of thought. they deverve that atleast. . most people only know them as a number they never got to see a flag drapped coffin comming off a plane so the fallen has been hidden.
FirstPerson: Honoring the fallen - Military - MSNBC.com

Are burning the Marine Corps flag? (your picture)
Loves

Originally Posted by Coeloptera

Not to be a downer, but it makes me mad that these good people lost their lives for a war so many of us didn't see a need for and most of us don't want now. They could still be alive, contributing to our nation even now...making it better by their service and presence.

Hacks me off...

How dare the administration hide images of flag-draped caskets. I've been a mortician and funeral director, and that is, to me, one of the most disrespectful things you can do to the dead...pretend it didn't happen. Try to hide the reality of sacrifice from people.

- Coeloptera



"One owes respect to the living. To the dead, one owes only the truth." - Voltaire

The administration is not hiding flag covered coffins it's just the media never shows the good ones of our service men and women doing their jobs in the battle zone and is proud to serve for their country. I bet if you would ask members of the deceased families a good percentage of them would say their son, daughter, father, mother, etc. died doing what he or she wanted to do.
The media manipulates what they want you to see and believe.

Originally Posted by Wingwiper

Coel

With all due respect, these men and women believed in what they were doing, please don't make it a political debate.. Every single one of them Volunteered to do the job. Thanks! there is always two sides and people on both.
The Military does not want to make Public the Flag draped caskets. It is and should be Private and not for supporting a Media/Political Agenda. We already had a Nancy Sheehan who disgraced her son, we don't need the media to make issues of the Coffins. Let it be.....

Thanks for the link... There is something that only a Soldier would know and that is very simply... TO DIE AS A SOLDIER IS THE MOST HONORABLE DEATH, TO DIE FOR LOVE OF COUNTRY AND FOR LOVE OF YOUR BELIEFS IS BY FAR MORE OF AN ACHIEVEMENT THAN DYING OF OLD AGE WITH NO DEDICATIONS TO ONES SELF OR BELIEFS..
Semper Fi

I looked at each of the photos and read what was written about them and I did NOT feel sorrow, I felt a LOVE, a DEVOTION, a PRIDE and I felt HONOR. I looked in their faces and I saw HOPE where others see failure, I saw EFFORT where others would QUIT, I saw COURAGE to see something through, where others would be Distracted. I saw the faces of this country's Finest and Bravest. I saw and felt their love of country and I felt their love for a Better world. Many will sit on their couches and judge the jobs they have done, I look at them as being the ACTION and when I see the FLAG fly high and snap in the breeze, I will see their faces in that flag and feel their love in that breeze. God Bless them all

For those of you who live near, I would HIGHLY suggest to visit Arlington National Cementary in the early part of April for one of the most Heart moving experiences you will ever witness. I have never felt so much Honor, Pride and Peace in one place before or since. Highly Recommended.

Wingwiper,
After reading your reply message, only one thing went through my mind...enough said.

Thank you

[tommy]

now come on "tee" i ain't burning the flag ryan gave me i have that flag saved in the closet along with the boots and bdu's he gave me too. you should know me better than that.lol. if anyone wants to know tgverdin is my sister-n-law they are stationed in miss right now her husband ryan is in the marines and has been for what 9 years now he's going for a career . great guy and i have all the respect in the world for him infact he's the only inlaw i like .lmao he hooked me up with boo-koo' ar mags . now you pla nice with my buddys in here now "tee"

[ezearln]

For those that have fallen, they answered their nations call. For those that have fallen they have paid the price of freedom. For those that are not there today right now in harms way I ask of you to respect and honor these heros of all stripes and creeds. Whether or not you approve or disapprove of the conflict that we are in Iraq, do not discount the stories these warriors tell, of aiding the decent Iraqi citizens, providing in some small measure security and hope and a chance perhaps for many their first hope for a truly free nation. A fallen warrior comming home to be laid to rest is to be honored and revered and most of all thanked for thier sacrifice. Their final journey should not and must not be turned into an "Event" to be perverted by either side of the war effort. They are at last comming home to be honored by their families, their loss mourned and their contribution to this great nation and to others whom they protected honored and praised. Please my friends set aside for a moment your bickering and at the least give a silent moment to these Americans who answered their Nations call and gave all that others might be free and safe.

[just_a_car]

As most everything I could say has been said, I'll just say this:

As a man, one of the only times I'm proud to cry is for the loss of one of our brave soldiers. This thread did just that.

[Seabeescotty]

EZ, I can only hope that the bickering stops, and people start paying attention to what our young men and women are saying when they come home. They have volunteered to go in harm's way, knowing that they could pay the ultimate price for doing so. The people who are not standing up should let it go, and stop trying to use these losses to their advantage. The very people who are dying would whup 'em if they could, feeling that it dishonors their very service. I speak from the mouths of numerous Iraq veterans who felt they needed to share their feelings with a comrade who was abused by these very people when HE came home from war. Never will a returning veteran suffer the way we did, so long as I draw a breath.

[tgverdin]

Cool dude. I was trying to figure out your picture. It kinda looks like the flag is burning at the top. You know better than that. You don't want me to go over there and kick your butt. LMAO
I guess I need to check this board more often. I thought I would receive an email telling me I had a reply or something. Give me a second I'll get the hang of this.
I haven't been on to much lately either because we are still getting the house ready to sell. West Coast here I come again!!!
I texted you from my phone the other night too. Ryan was playing pocker at the Beau and I was bored and saw that you emailed me.
Anywho, about the inlaws...hehe
Loves

[tommy]

when you reply you need to click and make sure you have instant reply in the box down at the bottom right above submit. but you can stop by anyways it would be nice to see you again

[turner]

[quote=Coeloptera;438903]Not to be a downer, but it makes me mad that these good people lost their lives for a war so many of us didn't see a need for and most of us don't want now. They could still be alive, contributing to our nation even now...making it better by their service and presence.

Hacks me off...

How dare the administration hide images of flag-draped caskets. I've been a mortician and funeral director, and that is, to me, one of the most disrespectful things you can do to the dead...pretend it didn't happen. Try to hide the reality of sacrifice from people.

- Coeloptera

I respect your opinion, but must also respectfully disagree. I cannot think of a single person who likes or wants war. That being said, I think many, if not most Americans who recall what happened on a late summer's day 2,399 day ago, feel there is a need for our military to be involved. I spent a career in the U.S. military and have stood saluting as coffins left the foreign land I was standing in and came back to sorrow and respect. There is nothing in my life that made me sadder, nothing. I do however understand the facts of what freedom costs and also what it means to me and all that reflect on it. Thanks for allowing me to respond.

[dogman2]

The tales I could tell of coming home to the world after leaving vietnam. All I can say is the two protesters who spit on my uniform thought long and hard about doing it again.
We must never forget our fallen. I can picture my sguad mates and they are still 18 to 20 years olod, for eternity.

[Seabeescotty]

dogman, that statement makes me cry, and you know exactly why. I was not able to dispense justice because I couldn't fight the uniform, but I've carried the bitter pill for too many years. I try to let go, but it doesn't go away. I would like to meet one of those exalted f'n hippies today, away from the MP's, so I could explain myself. But it's not to be, the cowards would never stand up and admit to what they did! I admit, and will admit to my dying day, that I served my country, pure and simple. I will take that to the grave. God bless ours!!!!!

[LarryO1970]

Originally Posted by Seabeescotty

Tommy, I'm sorry, but I am unable to express how I feel. The respect I have for these fallen comrades is immense, the sense of loss is just too deep to fathom. They are in my heart, and my thoughts go out to them daily. Thank you for reminding all of us that the freedom we share is never free, but only survives by the blood of our loved ones. God bless those who scout the way for the rest of us!!

This is my story. We lost 19 on 25 June 1996...

Death in the Desert - June 2006

Capt. Christopher J. Adams
Capt. Leland T. Haun
Master Sgt. Michael G. Heiser
Master Sgt. Kendall K. Kitson Jr.
Tech. Sgt. Patrick P. Fennig
Tech. Sgt. Thanh V. Nguyen
Staff Sgt. Daniel B. Cafourek
Staff Sgt. Kevin J. Johnson
Staff Sgt. Ronald L. King
Sgt. Millard D. Campbell
Senior Airman Earl F. Cartrette Jr.
Senior Airman Jeremy A. Taylor
Airman 1st Class Christopher B. Lester
Airman 1st Class Brent E. Marthaler
Airman 1st Class Brian W. McVeigh
Airman 1st Class Peter J. Morgera
Airman 1st Class Joseph E. Rimkus
Airman 1st Class Justin R. Wood
Airman 1st Class Joshua E. Woody

[Seabeescotty]

God bless! We who defend this country know exactly why, and we know whom we defend! The rest are sheep, and survive under the protection that is provided for our loved ones. Hard words? My kids serve, but I don't see any long lines of longhairs fighting to get in!!!!!

[tommy]

thats why we shouldn't let them be hidden of shoved to the side. someone posted saying that their funerals and the casget should only be seen by the families well thats not true when i see and everyone else see a funeral comin down the road what do you do??? the right thing to do is pull your car over and come to a stop until the herst has passed up your car. and in that time what are you doing?? you are thinkin about the person in the casget and to me thats givin that peson a moment of silense or time or whatever you want to call it. so if they would allow them caskets to be shown all them guys/ladys wouldn't be forgotten they would be remebered everyday . why should just the living come home to a welcome?? here's another web site to checkout these guys do a great job to keep them asshole protesters from ruining a wake or funeral. and they help give a hero a real send off i guess you can say.
Patriot Guard Riders -->Home

[Seabeescotty]

Tommy, it's hard to explain, but for all of us who have worn the uniform, and fought the fight, we never forget. I went to funerals of fallen kids until I thought I'd go crazy. And I kept going, and honoring those who gave all. I don't want to see them used in a political way, for they were not political. They were simply Americans serving their country. When they get home, we do our best to honor them with nothing more than respect for the sacrifice they made for their comrades and their nation. Is that not enough?

[tommy]

well there are some out there that would try to make it a politacal thing but i see it as keeping them on the low down and hush !hush! while the ones that are alive come home to a hero's welcome but to me what about the one's that didn't make it home? should we continue to sweep them under the rug and not give them the respect they deserve. we put a flag over every body we took out of the world trade center and the united states stood still for the few minutes that they carried that body out why? is it wo drill what they done to us in our brains and make us madder or was it to give respect to that dead guy? if we can show honor to a ordinary person like that why not give that kinda respect to a hero. that way people will stop and think about what that guy gave his life for .i'm sorry but them money hungry bankers on walstreet got more respect shown to them when they died in 9,11 then we get to show to our fallen soldiers .

[Seabeescotty]

Tommy, I've been in cavalcades for fallen soldiers that stretched through town. I've stood in cemeteries for the ceremony to lay a hero to rest that would astound you, there were so many people present. I try to be there for as many as I can, whenever I can. I want to make sure that no militay funeral is bothered by nuts like those from Westboro. And I always want to be there to pay my last respects for a comrade who gave all. I don't know what else I can say.