I Remember - Do you?
POSTED BY: TPage
UPDATED: Thursday, November 16, 2006 00:55
VIEWED: 3832
PAGE 1 of 3
November 11th is just around the corner. As a community that spans the globe and has no time zone of its own, and with many ceremonies having taken place last Sunday as the final Sunday before the 11th, I am posting this Browncoat Ceremony of Remembrance early so that we may all participate.
- - -
I am thankful that here through the course of history my country, while having suffered defeats, has not been the losing side. In my universe the Independents won (metaphorically at least), freedom is being upheld constantly by the sacrifice of the men and women in uniform not only in country but the world over. There are many in this world that do not have this luxury that we take for granted.
I am thankful, grateful, and proud.
I remember… lest we forget.
Quote:
Originally 'posted' by John McCrae
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.
Quote:
Originally 'posted' by Moira Michael
Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,
Sleep sweet - to rise anew!
We caught the torch you threw
And holding high, we keep the Faith
With All who died.
We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.
And now the Torch and Poppy Red
We wear in honor of our dead.
Fear not that ye have died for naught;
We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought
In Flanders Fields.
* Playing of Last Post *
* Two minutes of silence *
- - -
I ask that those who wish to post here post nothing more than 'I remember' or some such. While we may be an internet community I believe this thread deserves just as much solemnity as would any other ceremony.
Please keep this thread at the top until the 11th hour of November 11th. In a world where Halloween and Christmas are celebrated for weeks, is the recognition of our veteran’s so much to ask?
And if someday on some little piss-ant moon/My hand is a little too slow, or my aim a little bit off/At least I’ll go down fighting, not lying abed surrounded by quacks - "Sir Warrick" by Geezer
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Greatest holiday the world has ever seen. It is my birthday after all....
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A fine and honorable post.
People love a happy ending. So every episode, I will explain once again that I don't like people. And then Mal will shoot someone. Someone we like. And their puppy. - Joss
" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "
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Whatever freedoms we enjoy in whichever nations we reside, we owe it to those who were willing to sacrifice their time, their comfort, their health, their sanity, and their lives to gain and/or maintain that freedom.
Many who have so sacrificed for their countries, have not survived to enjoy the freedoms they fought for. Likewise, many others have sacrificed much, only to be ignored, or worse -- condemned for their service.
As one who has not so sacrificed, I will ever do my best to honor those who have.
I currently know veterans from WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and the various conflicts of the Middle East. Each and every one of them knows how I feel about their service, and always will.
It shouldn't take a holiday for us to offer our thanks to them.
To those who have served, and those still serving (whether in war or in peace), my sincerest appreciation and respect.
P.S. And a very happy birthday to Kaneman on Saturday, as well. 
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I heard this again on the radio today. I've heard it a lot over the past few years. I don't know where it originated, but I felt it would be applicable here.
It is the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the veteran, who salutes the Flag, who serves under the Flag, whose coffin is draped by the Flag.
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I remember.
And I appreciate every person who has ever served.
Thank you.
______________________________________
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" the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month--'
Dona nobis pacem.
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Remembering Kevin, and too many others.
Rest easy, old friend. 
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In the past few years, we've buried many veterans in our family. All of them survived their terms of service and lived to a ripe old age. They earned it the hard way by protecting every American's potential to grow up in this great country.
Rights are not given, they just are. But rights can be taken away. They need to be protected, now more than ever. Christy Hardin Smith, over at firedoglake, speaks for me:
Quote:
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, and to me that means a whole lot more than a magnet on my car and a bunch of empty words and promises that still go unfulfilled. And it ought to mean a lot more to everyone.
...
Here's hoping for more thoughtful, committed leadership in the days to come — committed to making things better for our troops and their families, and not just to public bluster and PR maneuvers. I have a lot of hope that with the addition of the experienced voices of Jim Webb and Joe Sestak and all the other fighting dems that just got elected, our veterans will have a renewed voice in Washington.
To all of our veterans, past and present, thank you.
And to those folks who are currently in uniform and in the field, please, stay safe. We are thinking about you, your friends and families. We honor your sacrifices today, and we hope for better for all of us in the days to come.
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I am remembering. Thanks for the reminder!
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