The Tears That Won't...: A Memorial Day Tribute.
65
By: Larry L. Conners
The Tears That Won't...
I was thinking about tears today, and of the many slides of life where they appear, mostly unbidden....
- The tears of joy, expressed by a proud parent when a child is born...
- The tears of pleasure when reading a heartfelt book...
- The tears of soulful emotion when listening to a Beethoven Piano Concerto...
- The tears of anger when deceived by a loved one...
- The tears of frustration when challenged beyond one's competence...
- The tears of sorrow when losing a loved one...
- The tears of love so sweetly held...
And then there are the tears that won't....
Tears that I can never shed for the brave young men and women who have given their all for comrades and country...They deserve much more than tears...much more.
Let the tears of sorrow flow for them from their families...
Let us honor them with a warriors wish:
" The true warrior does not wish to lead,
Nor does he wish to follow....He only wishes to place himself where he is needed most."
We must thank God for men and women such as these...
Here is a tribute to our fallen by USMC Lt. Colonel Kurt Wheeler:
" To begin to understand the full measure of the sacrifice we are here to honor, we must pause to appreciate our own blessings. Just for a moment, stop your mind from racing and soak in this moment in time. Breath in the fresh country air, feel the gentle breeze on your face, look at the green trees, think about the people around you, the relationships you cherish, all the things that make life so dear. Those we honor today will never enjoy any of these blessings again. "
Lt. Colonel Kurt Wheeler, United States Marine Corps, Retired -Memorial Day Address – New Woodstock, NY, 28 May 2007.
How can I shed tears for such as these, when my heart is bursting with pride while my soul is being humbled by their sacrifice.
I have many tears that won't....
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A wonderful tribute, Larry. I liked and agreed with all your view points. The only way we can repay those fallen brave soldiers is to live our lives to the fullest and to enjoy all that they don't have the luxury to enjoy-with our friends and loved ones.
So sad ... no words ...
Thank you very much for this hub. I appreciate it.
What a nice hub!
Great tribute.Thank you.
Nice job, Larry. I just got back from watching the movie "The Hurt Locker" which is about a I.E.D. demolition team in Iraq. Quite well done but very hard to watch.
who needs the media when the real news and the real stuff is written here.
Powerful, truthful and moving. Thank you Larry!
i can't tell you, my Hub friends, how much i appreciate your sincere comments...We are all Americans with a debt that can never be repaid to these wonderful human beings that have given so much so that we can have so much...Ralph, I really appreciate your comments, and I know you are sincere when you write of the pain you have when you watch these young men go in harms way...dohn..as usual you have an empathy extraordinaire...Judy and Mr Happy, I know you feel this in your hearts...advisor and jiberish, thank you for the comments...Vladimir, you have been there so i know you can understand ...Keith, these men and women ARE the story...Beth, I would hope this has given you pause for thought...Larry
I have many tears that won't....
by circumstance, there were tears that fell remembering my father just a few hours ago..
the many soldiers who had given their lives for the country deserve more than our tears.. i definitely agree.
A Texan...Hold them close, my friend...Thanks for visiting.
bingskee...Thank you for the comment...I am reading your Hub about your Dad and your tears of loss...I wish you comfort in remembering his love...Larry
" The true warrior does not wish to lead,
Nor does he wish to follow....He only wishes to place himself Where he is needed most." [I whisper: Thank you...Leroy!]
I agree...tears alone are not enough...and through my tears...I am so proud of each and all those that serve...Young ones...especially who volunteer for whatever the reason...yet back it with the heart of warrior. Well said, "Always a Marine" maven101...Well said!
Thanks to all that have paid the ultimate price...and to their families...from a family member...that knows the many tears that won't...
Thank you and very well said.
Manly...Thank you for your sensitive and understandably heartfelt comments...Know that Leroy upheld the finest traditions of the Corps and he will not be forgotten by those that mattered to him...God has a special place in heaven for our brave warriors...Semper Fidelis, my friend..
Chris...You are most welcome, and thank you for the comment..
Heartfelt and very nicely written. Many thanks for honoring our troops, we should all remember to do it more often. For if it weren't for them, we wouldn't have all that we do.
lmy: Thank you for commenting..Yes, we should remember more often..For many, Memorial Day has become just another beer and hot dog Monday off...a three day break from work...Honoring the fallen, from all conflicts, is a privilege for me and others that truly appreciate their sacrifice...Larry
Larry - very strongly written, heartfelt, as others have said. Small point of order, if I may - we are not all American! I have great respect for soldiers doing their duty in desperately difficult circumstances, whether or not they live to tell the tale to their grandchildren. But I have nothing but contempt for those who send them into unnecessary wars to serve their own agendas.
Paraglider...Thank you for your cogent comments...I agree and share your contempt for those that send our finest in harms way for undisclosed or ill-conceived agendas...I am using the designation " Americans " in the generic sense, in that we are " all " Americans when it comes to honoring our fallen...I understand that many here on HubPages are from different nations and to imply that we are all Americans in a literal sense was not my intention...Larry
OK, I'll take that definition of American as read :) It means I'm American too!!
Wonderful and beautifully expressed!
invictus..Thank you for stopping by and leaving your appreciated comments...Larry
Absolutely beautiful! I have shivers running down my spine. Thanks for putting it so eloquently! :D
Larry....perfect words for the greatest of human beings. Simply perfect.
k@ri...Thank you for your comments...honoring our fallen warriors of all conflicts is very humbling for me...that I live this life because of their unselfish sacrifice bears on my heart...I think of several such almost every day...but the tears still won't...Larry
Very nice. In times of war, sometimes people forget the individuals most affected, in favor of political games. by those people, I, of course, mean the soldiers out their on the front lines and their families a world away.
-JL
Tom...I so appreciate your kind comments...and, yes, they are the perfect human beings...most still unformed young men that had just begun the journey of life...so many dreams unrealized...From where do such men and women come..?
Regardless of the media's drumbeat of young Americans hopelessly trapped by sex, drugs, and crime, we still turn out these willing and intelligent warriors that step up to the plate and give us a home run...and they are by the millions...Larry
Jack...Thank you for your comments...That's what war is really about, the individual's experience and the effects it has on their families...the scars never go away, and in some ways all are casualties of war...Larry
What a nice hub lot of good lines
what an honor that you wrote to our soldiers, beautiful. s What sacrifice they truly make, and sometimes honestly don't know they will, but in bravery they do, some may lose and some may win, but our country owes it all to them. thank you Larry
lgali...Nice of you to stop by and comment...You re always welcome here...Thanks, Larry
goodfriend...Thank you so much for your touching comments...yes, we do owe them much...a debt we will never be able to pay except by honoring their sacrifice through remembrance...Larry
Gosh Larry, this was marvelous and I cried. A wonderful tribute. Thank you for sharing with us, Teri
Thank you, Teri, for your heartfelt comment...yes, I wish I could share this with the world...Larry
Very touching....the tears that won't...
A moving article about tears. We do need to honor our fallen warriors. And remember their families. Thanks, Larry. This is good.
Larry.. Beautifully written as are all your words from your heart. Thankyou for your words; I understand the tears.
Rob
Shalini ( beautiful name )...Thanks for the comment and I'm thrilled to have you as a fan...
James...As always, your comments are most welcome...thanks for taking the time out of your busy life to read this...
Pearldiver..My Kiwi friend, thank you so much for the kind words....and I know you do understand those tears that won't...Larry
Larry - a heartfelt and beautiful tribute. My heart aches, though, because soldiers, in the main, die in service of lies. I'm not for one moment disputing their bravery, their commitment, their sacrfice. But that all that should be in vain is what gets to me. I have looked at the history of war and as far as I can tell there has never been one which has actually achieved and settled what it was purportedly fought for. And Bush's nasty little adventure in Iraq, fought for a lie that he knew was a lie, is only a recent example.
Wilfred Owen put it so well in his poem "Insensibility" (and I will quote only the last three lines, but the whole poem is worth a read):
"Whatever mourns when many leave these shores;
Whatever shares
The eternal reciprocity of tears."
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciate your honesty and caring.
Love and peace
Tony
Hi Larry, the courage, honour and duty are very humbling. Thank you.
Russ...Thank you for the comment...Humbling indeed...I sometimes wonder if our nation is worthy of their sacrifice...Larry
Tony...Thank you for the comments and apropo lines of poetry...
You are a man of peace, as most of us are, given the choice...but I am also a former warrior, and to me these men and women never die in vain...their courage and commitment transcends petty squabbling over the " merits " of a given war...their sacrifices are much more immediate, right in front of them...their friends, their unit, their pride...
You have said no war was ever fought that achieved what it set out to accomplish...I can quickly think of two wars that did just that; The American Revolutionary War, and The American Civil War...the one founded the greatest and most free nation on Earth, and the other abolished slavery...
A soldier can't pick and choose his wars, he can only do his duty for himself, his unit, and his country....they will live and be honored forever in the memories of those that mattered to them...Larry
I join you Maven. Really I do, and I have shed tears of pride when the flag held high is waving at me in the breeze as the stirring music of our wonderful nation is being played by such wonderful military bands. I salute you too sir for your service to us all. Thanks for reminding me. peace, CC
Ralwus...Thank you, my briny friend, for the kind and heartfelt comments...Here is a piece I just read from the WashingtonPost.com web site that ties in perfectly with my Hub:
A Heroic Death, Without the Headlines
By Scene And Heard
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Marine Capt. Matthew Freeman made his last trip across the U.S. Naval Academy in the company of friends the other day.
Yes, there were admirals and generals, colonels and majors, captains of the Navy and the Marines among the hundreds who joined him. But there are moments when the strictures of rank are loosened by the greater bond of brotherhood. This was one of them.
Four thousand and seventy-four days had passed since Matt arrived here as a kid, had his head shaved and was sworn in as a Navy midshipman. Two thousand six hundred and fifty-one days had gone by since he hurled his hat into the air at graduation and became a Marine. It had been 47 days since he married Theresa, his high school sweetheart, and 34 days since he headed to Afghanistan.
And it was just 19 days after he led his men onto a rooftop that provided the only high ground in a nasty firefight with the Taliban in a hamlet in a rugged, desolate northeastern province.
The morning he came back to the Naval Academy was a Wednesday, but it will stick in your memory as the day you heard that Ted Kennedy had died and the week when you learned that someone might have killed Michael Jackson. The politician and the entertainer of their generations, they were lionized by many and scorned by some. One pleaded guilty, the other was found innocent. But they each died with an indelible asterisk, a footnote to their legacies that time will not erase.
Matt Freeman died clean.
His life and death played out that sunny morning in the chapel at the Academy and as the long cortege made its way on foot across the Yard to what would be his final resting place. The words they found for him were devotion to his Maker, loyalty beyond what most men possess and grim courage in the end. Marine sentries in dress blue snapped into salute as he passed. There was a band. Flags flew.
Nine days earlier, when his body came home to a small town in Georgia, three creeks south of Savannah, people lined the route, waving paper flags. Children drew signs of tribute on cardboard. Mothers cried. You can find it all on the Internet, of course. All that, and a lot more about how he lived and how he died. You will discover, most of all, why people loved him.
It is the business of generals to calibrate the magnitude of a man's courage. They are not to be envied the task, and many of them learned its measure by testing their own guts on the battlefield.
Theresa rose from her pew in the chapel to accept Matt's Bronze Star, the fifth in the hierarchy of combat medals awarded Marines. He died on a mission for which he volunteered, in a province far from home, leading men into battle. Pinned down and receiving a "heavy volume" of enemy fire, the medal citation says, he rose up and led his men into a mud-brick house, cleared it of the enemy, "was the first to reach the rooftop" where he "spotted an enemy rocket-propelled grenade gunman and immediately killed him . . . and began to engage while under fire."
His best friend told the mourners, "He would want you to know that he went down swinging."
There were a dozen Marine captains in dress blue in the overflowing pews of the chapel. Marines may blink hard a few times, but they don't cry. Their mothers and widows cry for them.
In the week when they laid a young Marine captain to rest, the news was dominated by the death of a politician and the echo from an entertainer's death. The flag-draped coffin on the front page was not his, but if you look carefully in the paper this week you will see a small picture of Matt Freeman among the faces of those who have fallen recently in battle.
He did not live long enough to become an the icon of Kennedy or Jackson, but he died the greater hero.
-- Ashley Halsey III, staff writer
Oh my Maven. this is so moving and I now have tears, I am ambiguous with this strange feeling you see. My son youngest son is a Marine, and I haven't heard from him for some time now, and recently he too was married. My daughter too has lost contact. Ach well, I'm sure he will endure will be fine. I must get to the phone and make a call now. thanks, CC
ralwus...The Marines always take care of their own, including their families...rest assured, if there was any problems with your son's deployment they would contact you immediately, and I mean within hours of any problem....your son will be included in my daily prayers for these fine, irreplaceable young men and women...Larry
beautiful
Made me shed tears too.
Love this hub, maven101.
Karraline...Thank you for the comment...and welcome to HubPages...Larry
Brenda...Thank you so much for the kind comments...
Lets all pray for our brave warriors to return home to their families safe and sound...Larry
Beautifully said,..We must remember, They did'nt lose their life, they gave it. Thank you Sir,. for your service to this wonderful country. Semper Fi !!!
AIM...Yes, they gave their all, for all of us...And those that mattered to them will not forget...You represent what is best about this great nation...you respect and support your son's decision to go in harms way for duty, honor, and country...you have produced a warrior, one of those brave young men that always appear to take up the slack...may God bless and keep him safe...Semper Fidelis, Larry
Larry,
Our soldiers embody the words of Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty or give me death.". Their sacrifice will not go unnoticed thanks to your elegance in your language and creative thoughts.
Tom...Your comments are wonderfully put and humbly accepted..politicians may talk of the loss of blood and treasure when describing war...what they fail to understand is that these fallen are our blood AND our treasure...Larry
Wow!!! Such a heartfelt tribute. Your words and the words of Lt. colonel Wheeler paint the true picture of our national heros. And what we take for granted in our every day routine, they who fight for our country and even die for our country embellish every morsel of God's bountiful beauty. Thank you for sharing this. It has caused me to appreciate our servicemen so much more.
Blessings!! ~ K
Kim...Thank you for the expressive comments...Remembrance and honoring our fallen is the moral obligation of a grateful nation for their sacrifice...Larry
This really touched my heart....
Thanks for stopping by Kris, and leaving the nice comment...I would hope the touch remains indelibly in your heart..Larry
Awesome hub! And you wonder what your wife sees in you? I think it is pretty obvious, Larry.
Carmen.. What a nice comment...Thank you so much for stopping by...you are an awesome writer with that rare talent to explain the complicated in a concise and well reasoned manner...and you have an honest empathy I see in your responses to your Hubs that I really appreciate...your response to Brad re intimidation, was wonderful advise from someone that has been there and done that...Larry
realy touched my heart I have tear in my eye..
Lgali...Thanks for stopping by..your comments are always appreciated...you have a wonderful heart...Larry
moving and touching......like your style
PDH...You have plenty of style yourself...thanks for the comments...Larry
Thank you for your beautiful hub on the Tears that won't, I thank you for sharing it with me. creativeone59
Benny...Thank you for the nice comments...Larry
- How can I shed tears for such as these, when my heart is bursting with pride while my soul is being humbled by their sacrifice. -
Deep emotions, tender words. Thank you Larry, I favorited that line.
Goldi...Thank you so much for the kind comment...Did you read my response to ralwus ? I posted an article written in Scene and Heard ....The writer has captured my feelings exactly...he reaffirmed why I have tears that won't...Larry
That was beautifully written. Thumbs up - well deserved.
Jewels...Thanks for the thumbs up and the nice comment...I'm glad you stopped by...Larry
Thumbs up for this beautiful, poignant hub. It brought tears to my eyes. Glad I'm not wearing my contacts! Thanks for sharing, Larry.
habee...Thank you for the comments and thumbs up...I know how patriotic you are and I really appreciate you taking the time to read this...Larry
I just came across this. Your words seem to carry the burden of sorrow, yet they are written beautifully. I appreciate this poem because it has your heart and soul alongside it's words. Thank you for sharing this Maven.
Hi Larry, thank you so much for your compliment. I heard back from Brad in an email which did my heart good. So... too many kids today don't have enough self-confidence which is really sad. And I truly meant what I said, your wife is a lucky lady and I'm certain you are as well having her in your life. My apologies for not responding sooner, I've only discovered recently the nifty little link to track comments I've made to hubbers. It has been a long couple of hours, but well worth keeping in touch! Take care my friend.
Arthur...Thank you for the well-phrased comments...I truly wish I could express the depth of loss and utter frustration and anger that I feel when I think of those men I lost in a senseless war...men, a thousand times better Americans and human beings than most I have met since...it takes no bravery to burn your draft notice and flee to Canada, or protest a war by blaming the men and women that were directed to prosecute that war...the whole damn bunch of hippies, leftists, prima donna college brats, pot smoking, poncho wearing, free love sluts and punks are not worth one of those fine men...There are many like me that have tears that won't, and you can be sure there will be many more in the future as long as we have men and women that have the personal integrity and honor to put themselves in harms way so that we may enjoy the fruits of freedom...Larry
Carmen ( I love that name )...Thanks for coming by again and leaving your welcome comments...You have a sweet and honest soul and I feel fortunate to count you as a fan...Larry
maven, thanks for sharing that moving hub with us. we all shed those tears for one reason or another, I feel sorry for those people who hold them back and suffer inside. We all need to let our emotions free sometimes it is the only way we heal. Thats what I think anyway. Simply I know because I covered my feeling for a long time.
Eileen... I hear what you are saying, and yes,we must release those emotions boiling away in our hearts...Did you read my response to Ralwus re the article titled " A Heroic death without the headlines "....This explains why Marines do not cry for their fallen...we hold them in a much higher plane, and honor them with our remembrance of who they were when the gift of life was theirs....Thank you for your heartfelt comments...Larry
This is an awe inspiring tribute. Thanks first for feeling it. Thanks second for posting it.
Vicky...Thank you for the kind comment...It was an honor for me to express my love for those fallen warriors...theirs is a debt I can never repay with words..only through remembrance of their young and vital lives can I keep them alive in my heart...Larry
And, Larry, I don't think it's fair for us to put our men and women in harm's way here by being forced to serve with Muslims. I have heard of one battalion of Japanese Americans who were segregated and who served in the WW II to prove their loyalty.l Possibly that would be a good model.
You are referring to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the " Go for Broke " Japanese American unit that was the most highly decorated unit in the 2nd World War...Forming an all Muslim unit now would be politically impossible, although your idea has merit; both groups have something to prove, and the Japanese Americans certainly proved their loyalty in spades...the Muslim American has different motivations, coming from a religious perspective, and I'm not sure where their loyalty would lie if pushed to make that decision...During the 2003 Iraq war an American Muslim soldier tossed grenades into tents housing officers of the 101st Airborne Division in Kuwait... Well, this is Veterans Day and I've been asked to march with a group of VFW guys to honor our warriors, past and present...Larry
I just bought a book about them, so I haven't started reading it yet. Looking forward to it. i was surprised that there was one. I am familiar with the American Indians who served because the enemy could not decipher their language. Hope you had a had a happy Veterans Day too. I am a Veteran too. (non-combat)
Larry - I'd certainly like to instzll your fine Hub onto our "SampsonAFB" website if you want to permit that. Gus
I, and the men and women of whom I wrote, would be honored to accede to your request...Thanks for stopping by Gus, my friend...Larry
V...You mentioned the Navajo code-talkers..there is a wonderful tribute to them in Gallup, New Mexico I found last year...There are still several living members of that unique unit...Thank you for your service, my friend...Larry
Larry - This is beautiful tribute, thank you.
Madame X...Thanks for stopping by and leaving the nice comment...Larry
hi Maven, how are you, I came by to let you know I have written a poem, I want you to check it out, you are my first fan and mentor...Thanks to you!
A very moving tribute to our service men and women. A sacrifice that can never be repaid but we can honor their memories and the sacrifices they made. I humble myself and thank them for the opportunities they gave us, just for being who they truly are, Hero's, that they all shall be in my heart. Thank you for this..
Maita...Thanks for your comment...and I have read and commented on you beautiful and heartfelt poem...Larry
ehern...You are a great American that retains those memories of our fallen..Thank you so much for your honest and heartfelt comments...Larry
I am so thankful for the men and women of our military who are willing to risk their life and well-being to serve and protect. There is no honor high enough to bestow on these brave soldiers. What courage! What bravery! What commitment!
Thanks, Larry, for this tribute!
Lowell...Thank you so much for your appreciative remarks...you are an American of the first rank, and you do them honor with your comments...Thank you, Larry
happy tnaksgiving to my mentor, to you and your family! Maita
very movingsentiments
Hi Maven, check out my 100th hubs, I mentioned you there, thank you for being my first fan, entitled, I am grateful to HP...Maita
Maita...Thank you and my best to you and yours...I did read and comment on your 100th Hub...congrats to a very talented and determined young lady...And I am honored to be your first fan...Larry
Hi Maven, thanks for the read of my 100th hub, I am proud you are my first fan, really thanks and merry xmas to you and your family! Maita
Larry my friend, I just received word that my Marine is coming to see old dad. He got home a few days ago and is safe and sound from Afghanistan. Best Christmas ever! He is going to be calling me soon and is married now. Hah! To a good ol' southern girl. Just had to tell ya.
This is outstanding, my Briny friend...What a wonderful Christmas gift for your family...Next year I'll be calling you Grandpa Ralwus...Tell your son Semper Fi from this " Old Corps " Jarhead, and God bless him for his service to our country...Larry
I shall do that my friend. LOL @ jarhead
I have Tears that won't as well Sir.58000 plus tears that won't.You and I spent time in"the Beautiful country",you resigned your commission,I lost my childhood.I wish I had an Officer like you over there...SIR!...
Cheaptrick...Welcome home, Brother...I'm thinking of PFC Ron Boley on this 26th day of December, a wonderful Marine I lost on a rainy day in April, 1967...Today is his birthday...he would be 62 ... and probably still plunking that beat-up ukulele...
Thanks for the heartfelt comments, and yes, we share an experience in our youth that will remain forever with us.
Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni...
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever...
You, my friend, can join my team anytime...your two tours speak volumes to this vet...Larry
A very well thought out and well written hub. All too often, our culture lets us forget those who have made the sacrifices to preserve our freedoms, especially if the conflict was controversial to the American people, like Vietnam. It is nice to see someone who honors their memories here on hubpages.
palmer..Yes, the war in Vietnam was controversial, with a murky and ill-advised beginning, a long testing and difficult interlude, and an ignoble ending...
For we that were there, none of that means anything, only our brotherhood, our mutual sharing of the daily horror of war, the reason why someone like cheaptrick ( above comments ) did a second tour in Nam...he doesn't say why but I know why he returned... he returned because his brothers were still there and he felt that unique love pull him back, and the guilt of leaving them behind...
Vietnam was probably the most difficult war Americans have ever been involved in, all the more reason to honor these men ( and eight women ) that remained true to their honor in the extreme...regardless of your feelings about the war, these heroes served your country and died fighting under its flag...all were Semper Fidelis to their brothers, their family, and their nation...Larry
I agree. My comment was not meant to show any disrespect to those who fought in Vietnam. My uncle is actually one of the names on the wall because he loved his country and his fellow Marines. ( LCPL. Larry Ray Palmer from Elmhurst, IL )
By stating that Vietnam was controversial, I was referring to the way the American people divided over it. Many of the boys who went to war and came back changed men did not get the help or respect they deserved because of this controversy.
Unfortuantely, I think the current peace keeping missions are going to result in a repeat of this sad part of our history. I hope I am wrong but I have seen first hand, the disrespect and apathy that the current generation has towards our military men and women.
Personally, I want to say thank you to you and your fellow brothers in arms for your service to your country and your fellow men. You made sacrifices that few civilians will ever understand or face.
Larry...I read no disrespect in your original comments...rather, it is with humble acceptance that I appreciate your remarks on behalf of those that have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice...
I have added your uncles name to my personal list of heroes that are inscribed on the Wall...
I truly hope your prediction of history repeating itself with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan does not occur...We are making some of the same mistakes now we made in Vietnam...political micro-management, a failed hearts and minds strategy, a General Staff that is politically motivated, and a State Department without goals...Larry
A beautiful tribute. Very and moving.
Carol...Thank you for stopping by and leaving the nice comment...Larry
Wonderful tribute Larry, much needed!! One can't appreciate the sacrifices soldiers make enough. They are truly the most remarkable ones of us all. They need to be supported 100%. Politics can wait!! When the troops are fighting a war, everyone needs to stand up and support them. But for them, who knows what our world would look like!!
Thanks Larry once again for this beautiful hub for people who are rarely thought of, but who really do so much for us. Wars are dirty and no war is nice or welcomed, but some wars have to be fought and thankfully some brave men and women fight them for us. The least we can do is to support them and do our bit. You've done that Larry and for that I thank you!!
Shil...Thank you....your comments are much appreciated..I am proud to be your fan...Larry
What a magnificent and heartfelt tribute and an expression of love, pride and sorrow.Thank you for sharing .
Thanks for the comments Pop...I thoroughly enjoy your daily morning wake up Hubs...Larry
I absolutely could not agree with you more. I feel nothing but great admiration, respect, and greatfulness for any soldier who has died defending my freedom and the safety of my country.
It's one thing to serve, entirely another to give it all.
Splendid tribute to our military forces. Thank you for sharing such a lovely article. My husband is a Vietnam vet and my son a vet from Desert Storm.
Springboard...Your comments are right on, Brother...The ultimate sacrifice in defense of one's country should never be forgotten...Memorial Day allows us to remember those that we knew in the first blush of adulthood that ended much too soon...Looking at the thousands of grave-sites serenely resting in the Punchbowl at Oahu's Diamondhead military cemetery last year, really brought home the enormous sacrifices made so we could live in freedom and safety...They will never be forgotten, as long as we celebrate Memorial Day and its meaning is taught in our schools..Larry
Pamela...Thank you for the kind comments..We are all grateful for your husband's service in Vietnam, and on a personal note I would like to welcome him home...We also thank your son for his service to our nation and thank the Lord he has returned safely to his family...Larry
May your days always find joy and may your heart always recognize it. Thank you for giving us such a well composed interlude. My dad would have been proud to have seen this.
Rope...What a lovely comment...sounds like a very Irish toast...I shall indeed take it to heart...such sweet joy is all around us, if we take the time and effort to recognize it...Your Dad must have been a great American, and you do him honor through your remembrance...Larry
nice hub man.so touching especially the statement
" The true warrior does not wish to lead,
Nor does he wish to follow....He only wishes to place himself Where he is needed most."
thats real impresive
Samuka.,.Many are alive today because they were exactly where they were needed the most...Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind comments...Larry
Excellent Hub.
And I'm with samuka dan, that quote sums up honorable service as well as any could.
Jim...Thank you for acknowledging what a true warrior is all about...and again, I thank you for your service to this country...Go well my friend...Larry
Hoo-rah! Semper fi!
Wow, Larry, you are the talented one. And what an honor it is for our servicemen and women to know the deep respect and loyalty you hold for each and every one of them. Well done :)
fol...You can add Gung Ho to that marine salute...Thanks for dropping by..Larry
h2o...We honor these brave warriors through remembrance..remembrance of their sacrifice while still unformed young men and women...they will never know the joys of grandchildren, the birth of a child, or the discovery of God's creations on Earth...there are several that I think about almost everyday...virile young men whose lives were abbreviated by a toxic war for an uncaring nation more concerned with a political solution than a military one...Thank you for your kind comments...Larry
You know not only was your hub a great tribute to those who gave and will give their lives for their country and for humanity but after I finally got down to where I could leave a comment I believe all these comments are also a tribute to you for publishig something that a lot of us have been waiting to read somewhere... those are my thoughts anyway- so thanks for letting some light in.
too bad it's not a requirement to have served the country in the military before becoming a politician.
bonny...Thank you so much for the kind comments...most Americans share these sentiments but we seldom ever read about it...the press certainly doesn't seek out these stories of sacrifice, rather the media accentuates the negative like Abu Ghraib...Peace my friend, and thanks for stopping by...Larry
V...Wouldn't it be interesting to see how Harry Truman or Teddy Roosevelt, both combat veterans, would have handled this whole War on Terrorism..? Your comment is well received by this former Marine...Semper Fi my friend...Larry
Very nice Maven101. Hoo-rah. Semper fi. My family has been defending our country for almost a hundred years. I was in Vietnam and my grand nephew is in Afghanistan.
Mickey...Welcome home Brother...Looks like we never learned our lesson re hearts and minds strategy...Your grand nephew is engaged in an asymmetric war being fought with politically correct tactics that belong on the streets of Chicago, not on the ever-changing battlefield of Afghanistan...Ordering front-line commanders to make politically expedient decisions in the heat of battle leads to indecision, hesitancy, and that gets good men killed...The incompetence and spineless leadership of our senior military commanders is appalling...
Remember Johnson caught between his Bullets or Butter policies in the mid 60's..? Obama is making the exact same mistake, and our warriors in the field will pay for it this summer...Madness !! ...Larry
Enjoyed reading,Thanks !
Swiftly...Thank you for commenting, I'm glad you enjoyed reading this Hub...Larry
We are living happily because they sacrificed their lives for our happiness. We must be grateful for their sacrifice. Our tear is the flower which we offer in remembrance of their activities! Thank you for the great hub.
cupid..But of course ! Well said...The Poppy we wear on Veterans Day is the tear we shed for those that have given the ultimate sacrifice to their country...I had never thought of it that way, but you are right..a tear indeed..Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a cogent comment...Larry
Beautiful writing, you are so good with words...
Moulik...Thank you for the endearing comments..you inspire me to continue writing...Welcome to HubPages, I look forward to enjoying your Hubs...Larry
Very touching.
sheila..Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment...Honoring these brave warriors is an honor in itself...Larry
Dear Maven101,
this was so very moving....a tribute to our armed forces charged with defending our freedom and often forgotten, sadly... i have a ittle lump in my throat
jellio...Words or tears are not near enough to express my appreciation for the sacrifices of these honorable warriors...That they have given up their most precious gift, life, for friends, family, and country is humbling and makes most other things in our life pale in comparison...Thank you for stopping by and commenting...Larry
truthful and moving very touching hub
Mavon how are u doing?
Lgali.. Thank you for stopping by and leaving comments...I am fine, just celebrated my 72nd birthday Sunday...Thank you for asking, you are such a sweetheart...Larry
Such a moving Hub. I found it especially meaningful as my youngest son is serving in the Army right now. I've always kept up with activism for veteran's rights. Thumb up for your marvelous tribute.
Iounn...You must be extremely proud of your warrior son...and yes, we must remain constantly vigilant to insure our veterans continue to have the very best of service the VA can offer...We must honor these warriors by assuring they will always have our respect and appreciation for their sacrifice and duty to insure our freedoms... A special Semper Fi to your son from this old DevilDog...Larry
I am proud of him and while I do respect him choosing to serve, I gotta be honest with ya (a snouterism)...
I didn't want him to enlist. I have nothing against military service. I myself have an Honorable Discharge from the Army. But... I didn't like the Iraq war. I have political issues with it and a lot of anger at Bush. I in no way wished my child, not just my child... my youngest... my baby, the child I sometimes call bunny, to enter the service while the U.S. is involved with an unjust war. I couldn't persuade him not to enlist and I promise you I did try. He was determined. Maybe he is a warrior son.
Am I proud of my son? Absolutely. He is a remarkable person, very high IQ and in intel in the service, as I was. He is billinat, industrious, kind, extremely funny in a very strage way (odd humor runs in our family), well-mannered, original, thinks outside the box, is loyal to the core and if I may say so, very attractive (as are all my kiddos and grands). It would take me Hubs and Hubs to go on about how much I admire in this child or any of my other children all of whom I am very proud of.
My support for vets came before he entered and remains now with an added poignancy.
I know other current local vets, including one of my daughter's teenage crushes who was a sniper in Iraq, served two tours and came back all wounded out physically and mentally. He drops by every so often to see "mom" and I am mom to a lot of local kids. I'm going to his wedding this summer. I used to date Vietnam war vets (I'm of that age) and I think that was when a lot of the seeds of my concern for vets started. My heart bleeds for these men, past and current.
Me, I want us out of Iraq.
You? Thank you so much from me, some other soldier's mom and an ex-soldier, for serving our country. You have my constant respect and my gratitude and my prayers.
Yes, everyone in this country owes our veterans gratitude. Our freedom lies in their blood. I hope everyone remembers that when voting for people who pass legislation that affects the issue of medical and other GI benefits.
Iouua....I respect your dissent and applaud your support for our veterans and the serving warriors laying it on the line everyday throughout the world, not just Iraq and Afghanistan....
You may not agree with the policy that generated a certain war, police action, or conflict, but respect and support for these men and women that uphold their sworn oath to Duty, Honor, and Country is miles above any geo-political disagreement....Larry
Thank you, Larry. A correct summation and I appreciate you understanding my position.
Iouun...And I appreciate you taking the time to state your positions with clarity and passion...clarity in your opposition to Iraq, and passion for our veterans support...Larry
Oh Maven ! What a time for me to read this what so touching!!! Thank you for writing from the heart. :)
I can only come up with one word here........... okay, two..........
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you for this.............
Kaie
AEvans...Thank you for the nice comment...I hope all is well with you...Larry
Kaie...Beautiful name...Your two words pay tribute to those that went in harms way and gave their all in honor and duty... Here is a great site to visit that is dedicated to the warriors we lost in Vietnam : http://thewall-usa.com/
Leave a birthday card or just read some of the bios of these fallen warriors...We honor all warriors with our remembrance...Larry
Very moving tribute Larry - thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Billy...Thank you for stopping by and commenting...I am privileged to have you for a fan...I look forward to reading your Hubs and commenting...Larry
A great tribute to our fallen comrades ... Thx
Sam...Thanks for the comment...Remembrance is our greatest tribute to these American warriors...You know your history, and I know you understand that America has always been blessed with men and women that stand astride duty and honor, and give us their last best sacrifice for country, comrades, and family...
I look forward to reading your cogent historical Hubs...Larry
Larry. ..... Dang . Its pouring rain here right now in Palm Beach.After reading this . A few drops made their way inside to fall from the corner of a crying eye. You my friend are a true artist with words. And i am going to go ahead and say this. My favorite Hubber to date .
Your buddy Ray.
Ray...I'm humbled by your comments, and I'm especially pleased you were touched by my tribute to these brave warriors...
Rain in Palm Beach..? I thought that was the land of the eternal sunshine...Take care, my friend...Larry
A very moving reminder, Larry. Those who make up our armed forces truly exhibit the fiber and dedication from which this great country was crafted. Each one that dies was a special person to someone. Clint Eastwood used a quote in the movie "Unforgiven" that goes something along the line of "dying has a way of taking all a man was and all he was gonn be". It is a sacrifice that we as a public can never repay yet it is a debt that none who died intended for us to owe. The fact that it occurs to you that these men and women should be honored puts you heads up on a vast majority of the current population who seem to have the attitude that wars are for someone else to fight and all that is dear to us is secure. Ignorance is a blissful existence. You message here makes me proud that you recognized those who gave the dearest gift for their country. It makes me proud that I now you and I am honored as such. Thank you for sharing. WB
Wayne...Thank you for the thoughtful comments, which I wholly agree with...We have many brick and mortar monuments that honor our brave and true warriors, but the only monument that really counts is the monument of remembrance we carry in our hearts of these fine men and women that have given their very lives for country, family, and comrades in arms... Larry
And will fall tears from Mothers in other lands !
How close we now are with yesterdays foe
tell me please help me so I can understand
what land is next for poor youth to go
jandee...Thank you for the very thoughtful and heartfelt poem...The poem asks the eternal question of human conflict and sacrifice...Indeed, help me understand, help me to accept the loss, the tragic sacrifice, of those we love and respect...The answer is in each of our hearts...there, their memories are held forever...
Thank you for stopping by and leaving us with that lovely poetic expression...Larry
Hi Larry. I'm glad that I have arrived late to this Hub. As beautiful were the words which launched this Hub and the emotions and sentiments which gilded it in pride and respect, moreso were the addenda of your commentary responses. You are an example and spokesman for all of us at a difficult moment in the history of our nation.
Early on you retort,reminding us of the victories of the revolutionary war and civil war and the spoils of war as liberty and emancipation. Bravo, Bravissimo! You then highlight the valor of another fallen hero, not to single him out for praise but to exemplify and amplify the sacrifice. Though I am not a warrior, I will embrace yor pride in the courage and ultimate sacrifice of our troops and never feel that the life of a single soldier has been wasted or sacrificed for naught. I will feel the pride and respect that our troops deserve; those who are always faithful -semper fi.
Thank you for your words and inspiration. My nephew, Taylor Gilligan, has just completed his training as a Marine and is waiting for deployment. I admire his courage and will take pride in his service. Cheers.
Good morning Gerry...
I am truly humbled by your gracious comments...Let Taylor know that I share with him these immortal words of Duty and Honor :
Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni...
Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever...
I know your support of him means a lot...Tell him to watch his six, and listen to his Gunny...
And how are things in Glocca Morra today..?
I'm looking forward to reading your renewed passion for poetic expression...I still have my nose stuck in Gods eye...You are a devil, my friend, and I love it...Fek indeed.!!...Larry
A very moving hub. I can tell that it's touched many people from all the great comments here.
Ravaged...Thank you for the comment, and welcome to HubPages...
It's not so much my writing that has touched these many hearts, rather the sacrifice realized that has been offered up by these young men and women...a sacrifice that transcends politics and cultural prerogatives...We honor these precious warriors through remembrance and determination that their sacrifice was not in vain...
Thanks for stopping by...Larry
This is just awesome!
Charles...Thank you for reading this tribute to the greatest Americans, and leaving your appreciated comment...Larry
Nice clap trap. Nicely express and the photo's were a nice touch as well. You are truly a teacher worth learning from going places that I wouldn't go and doing it well merely because I have a phobia of taking the path Robert Frost refused.
Jaggedfrost...This " clap-trap " is not something pulled out of my imagination...This is a tribute to those men I was privileged to lead and know as friends...I have no regrets for the road chosen, only a regret that I could not take them with me...
Thanks for commenting and the unexpected praise...Larry
I could tell that you felt very dearly about it. Trying something of that sort myself though made me wonder at a few things in my perspective on things. I suppose my jaded comment comes not from the skill of your pen which is very well placed but the fact that it seems to evoke such a visceral response from others that often has nothing to do with the skill of the writer.
Jaggedfrost...That is exactly the intent of this prose piece...I am hoping for a visceral response, an awakening to the value and necessary respect for these fallen warriors...I could care less if someone has a different " feeling " about war and warriors...I wrote this for the men I knew, that gave us their ultimate sacrifice, and are immortalized on The Wall and in my heart...Larry
Very powerful words appropriate for very powerful decisions and actions. Some... maybe most... civilians find it hard to appreciate the sacrifices made for their freedom and safety. That might be because we've enjoyed it for so long that we can't imagine what life would be like without it. That's a true testament to our military and the people who have made the sacrifice. Thank you.
Jesse...Your sincere words honor these warriors...Thank you...Larry
There's not much more to say about this Maven - than 'thank you' - beautiful and moving. Won't forget it.
amorea...( Interesting name...my Latin tells me amo is I love but what is the rest..? Just curious )...
We should all not forget their sacrifice and hold them in our hearts...Brave and true, each and all, our debt to them is eternal...Thank you for the nice comment...Larry
It's a long hike down here Larry! awesomely beautiful! God bless and Semper Fi!
Semper Fi, Mickey...Thanks for the read and appreciated comments...These brave warriors will never die as long as they live in our hearts...Larry
Stunning. Thank you for your tribute Maven. Thank you for taking the time to raise all our fallen soilders high and remember them with the beauty of unshed and shed tears. My husband served 22 years in the military and may his soul rest now as he passed away on May 16th, 2010. He was buried with full military honors, quite the sight to behold, and I shall always remember him and those that served and still do, every time I see a flag flying in the breeze, for freedom.
Thank you and blessings,
Laurie
Laurie...First, let me thank your husband for his service of 22 years to this country...may he rest in peace and remembrance...and bless you for carrying him in your heart.
I have been privileged to serve at many military funerals as a member of the VFW honor guard here in northern Arizona...We are rapidly losing many of our greatest generation warriors, and not a few Vietnam era servicemen and servicewomen...such is the way of the world, as each generation renews its commitment to honor, duty, and country...Our newest warriors are carrying on the traditions of the American serviceman and servicewoman with distinction and pride...
Thank you for the heartfelt comments, and yes, that flag does fly for freedom, because of the sacrifices our honored warriors have given to this great nation to protect and preserve that precious freedom...Larry
Maven,
This is the third piece of your work I've read this evening/morning. I work nights :).
The other two pieces were wonderful reads and I enjoyed them from beginning to end.
But, this one ... it's in a class all by itself and it touched my heart in a very personal way.
Thank you,
femme
femme...Thank you for the kind words...My heart sheds those tears unabashedly, knowing that the abbreviated lives given under the auspices of the Stars and Stripes will remain enshrined forever in the hearts and minds of their loved ones, their comrades, and their country...Larry
judydianne 2 years ago
Beautifully stated! Thank you for this moving hub.