Memorial Day can be Very Special, but it Can also cause Bad Memories

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Today is Memorial Day. I want to honor all of our fallen brothers and sisters.

I watched the annual tribute to the fallen military on public Broadcasting last night.

One of the hosts was Gary Sinise. He is one of the huge heroes to all military. He spends hours and hours doing things to help them.

The program had me crying a lot. I usually don’t shed tears, but this was special. They covered all the wars. Many heroes, who spoke. Actors portrayed some of those who had passed on, but had a story to share.

There was one segment that honored nurses in the military. That really broke me up. My brother-in-law’s mother was a nurse in WWII. She was like a second mom to me.

She told me stories on how she held hands of those who were dying. A soldier asked her not to leave, because he didn’t want to die alone. She stayed with him until his last breath. She broke down crying when he passed.

During the Public Broadcast they played taps. That tore me up the most. I get emotional every time I hear it.

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There is a wonderful tribute for the military on YouTube. You search for “Tribute to Veterans.”

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Some articles for Memorial Day

Celebrating Memorial Day over a grill or a pool is one thing, but what about when you’re in the middle of a war? That’s what retired Army Col. Steve Miska experienced when he commanded Task Force Justice in Baghdad in 2007, at the height of sectarian violence during the Iraq War. Not only were Miska and his colleagues mourning the recent loss of their fellow American soldiers, but also the Iraqi interpreters and supporters who helped keep them all alive in a dangerous city. When you’re in the middle of it, remembering those who passed strengthens your resolve to keep fighting, Miska writes.

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“The day will have a few rough spots … we will all get emotional at some point,” an Army veteran told Haley Britzky in this excellent story about what Memorial Day really means to those who’ve served. Believe it or not, the holiday often involves plenty of laughter as well as tears. It will start with a fellow vet leaning over from their lawn chair and telling an old story that starts with ‘Remember that time in Ramadi/COP Najil/Anaconda/Dirty Tampa/Long Bihn…’ and we will laugh our asses off,” the former soldier said.

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How are you feeling on this Memorial Day? Have your memories been good, or do they haunt you?

FEAR NOT!

There are over 12,050 fellow veterans who have subscribed to this site, and they all have your back.

If the memories are getting the best of you. GET HELP!

There is a tool free number to call 24/7.

There are highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will not hang up until they know you are OK.

Never live with bad memories!

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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Finding Out That You are being Deployed to a War Zone, Can be Overwhelming

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Tons of news this weekend. Enjoy!

Biden gets his first Middle East airstrikes out of the way.

Got a lot of backlash for doing this.

Air Force contractor steals 2,500 pages of secret documents.

REALLY???

The Air Force is using virtual reality to fight its suicide epidemic.

There are 22 veterans who take their own lives every day!!!

How letters from home carried this Medal of Honor recipient through his deployments.

I think this is extremely important. I remember how few letters I got, and how it hurt.

52 years ago, this airman threw himself on a burning flare to save his crew.

Such devotion to his fellow warriors.

Air Force considers allowing airmen to attend funerals without charging leave.

Good move.

Rural Veterans Not Receiving Vaccine is a Concern.

Marines are getting their hands on a brand new rifle optic.

The Pentagon delayed promoting female generals over fears of Trump’s reaction.

Bad move

Female airmen at Kirtland Air Force Base finally get body armor that fits.

Got to keep those ladies happy.

The US is deploying nearly 5,000 active-duty troops to vaccinate America for COVID-19.

So proud of them.

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This is another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In an Out of the Trenches of Life.

After I came back to the states from South Korea, I only had a few months left in the military. I was stationed at FT. Bragg, NC. I kept marking my calendar daily for the countdown.

With just one month left, we all had a rude awakening. We were all ordered out to formation. A Colonel came out to talk to us. he said, “This is not a drill. We are being sent to the Bay of Pigs for military action.”

There was shocked looks on many of the soldiers eyes.

He went on to say, “You have one half hour to pack your gear and report back here to be deported to the airport.”

I only had 30 days left and this is happening to me?

I ran home and packed. Got back to the formation, and we were driven to the airport in buses. It was incredibly quiet on the bus. The men were too stunned to talk.

We got to the airport and they loaded us on the plane. Once we were all in, the engine started up and began to taxi.

The plane got to the take off area, and revved up its engines. It was taking off. I was petrified! I was a 20 year old kid and heading to war.

Suddenly the plane stopped, and the pilot said, “We just now got a message that President Kennedy has aborted the maneuver. We are heading back to the terminal.”

There was an eruption inside the plane as the guys all started screaming and crying in happiness.

I was that close to go to war, and I am so glad it all worked out.

(Actual excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: IN an Out of the trenches of Life.)

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Were you deployed and put in harm’s way? Do you still have problems from doing that?

Be strong, because there are over 11, 570 fellow veterans here who have you back. Many were deployed just like you.

However, if the burdens are too heavy, GET HELP!

Here is a toll free number to call 24/7.

They have highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will not hang up until they know you are OK.

Never take on this, not so friendly, world alone!

1-800-273-8255 Option # 1

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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Never Forget Our Service Members

Wow! We just passed 8,000 followers this morning. Welcome to all the new followers.

This last weekend was Memorial Day weekend. We honored all our brothers and sisters who have served, and are serving.

I got to thinking about that. It is great to honor them, but what about the ones who are sitting in trenches.? How about those who are in hospitals all over the world? Many are alone. Many are battling depression, anxiety, fear, and are wondering what tomorrow will bring.

We can’t forget them. They are our heroes too.

I also thought of the loved ones at home who are praying that their son or daughter may be kept from harm, or will recover from their wounds.

One thing I always remembered as a service member, was how important my family was to me while I was in South Korea. Talk about lonely! Yes, I was surrounded with many other service members, but they were not family.

I wished I could have seen them just for a moment. There wasn’t any Skype, or Zoom back then. No cell phones. Just letters from home, and those were very few.

It was hard at best to be content.

If you have loved ones in harm’s way. May God bless them and keep them safe.

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It seems to me that many may just take the weekend as an extra tme to play. Too many don’t even know what the day means. Yes, it good to show recognition to family who have passed, but it is also for those who helped you have a comfortable life, and have freedom.

I am a die heart, old veteran, who always cries when I hear Taps. I heard it several times this weekend, and it tore me up. Taps is the final call for many. May they rest in peace.

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Here’s hoping that you had a fabulous weekend with loved ones either on the phone, or through Zoom, etc.

I really enjoy sharing with you through these posts!!

+ If you like what you see here, be sure to subscribe at the top of this page where it says “subscribe.” Then you will receive all future posts sent to your inbox. Please let others know about this site as well.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!