Happy Memorial Day & Weekend!

[Wingman]

tried to get into the chair force out of high school, but a football injury precluded military service. (yeah, i know that isn't going to get me any cudos, but i was smart, then, and truly it's probably where i could have best served.)

cheers to those who served, and serve, and gave the untimate price that i not have to speak german or--heaven forfend--russian.

thanks, all.

[JohnnyT]

to all those brave selfless souls.

[Smatter Noguts]

The sun is out at last, visits to the graveyard completed, time to break out the white shoes and belt, don the pink shirt and chartruese pants, and enjoy the first legal Gin & Tonic of the season.

Cheers!

[DeeboCools]

I must have been illegally enjoying G&T's for months now...

[Judge]

A day for BBQ's. A day off. A day to get hammered (well aren't they all?). A day to lament the increased price of beer. A day to remember why I get to do all this.

The owner of this site, some of the moderators either have or still wear the uniform of their country. I seriously doubt anyone of you don't know someone who voluntarily chose to take up arms to defend their way of life. They may have been looking to get a college degree, get out of poverty or just find a path in life. Whatever the reason, they knew going in that combat of some kind was a possibility or probability. These men and women are from all walks of life, of all levels of education and abilities. They share together a camaraderie with fellow soldiers the world over. Even some of those they might face in conflict.

This day is set aside to take a moment to remember those who have served or are serving but mostly to remember those who did not return. I'll bet most of you can name at least one person you know of who's life was shortened due to war.

One can debate the cause, worth or legality of any conflict but you cannot debate the resolve of those who for very little pay go forth to protect your right to live your life the way you choose.

There are few left these days of the WW2 generation, the Korean and Vietnam folks are dwindling as well. Many of those military people did not willingly sign up but go they did. Other countries (especially in Europe and Africa) have had conflicts we in the US did not engage in but I think of them as well.

To do the ugly work war requires will never be forgiven for any generation. We are not that evolved. But take today to spend at least a moment to think of that man or woman who gets no holiday, who is under fire, who is missing their child's surgery or knows that they will not live out the day. Think hard about it.

Now raise one to the fallen, raise one to those who struggle to come back to the world and raise one to those who are lined up to take their places. We drink freely at their expense.

For all of you in uniform and those who have passed, I thank you, my family thanks you and this one is to all of you.

Slainte.

[Bur]

Kippis!

[mistah willies]

Now raise one to the fallen, raise one to those who struggle to come back to the world and raise one to those who are lined up to take their places. We drink freely at their expense.

For all of you in uniform and those who have passed, I thank you, my family thanks you and this one is to all of you.

Slainte.

Very well expressed, the whole of your speech.

Tahoo.

[TheBigCasino]

A day for BBQ's. A day off. A day to get hammered (well aren't they all?). A day to lament the increased price of beer. A day to remember why I get to do all this.

The owner of this site, some of the moderators either have or still wear the uniform of their country. I seriously doubt anyone of you don't know someone who voluntarily chose to take up arms to defend their way of life. They may have been looking to get a college degree, get out of poverty or just find a path in life. Whatever the reason, they knew going in that combat of some kind was a possibility or probability. These men and women are from all walks of life, of all levels of education and abilities. They share together a camaraderie with fellow soldiers the world over. Even some of those they might face in conflict.

This day is set aside to take a moment to remember those who have served or are serving but mostly to remember those who did not return. I'll bet most of you can name at least one person you know of who's life was shortened due to war.

One can debate the cause, worth or legality of any conflict but you cannot debate the resolve of those who for very little pay go forth to protect your right to live your life the way you choose.

There are few left these days of the WW2 generation, the Korean and Vietnam folks are dwindling as well. Many of those military people did not willingly sign up but go they did. Other countries (especially in Europe and Africa) have had conflicts we in the US did not engage in but I think of them as well.

To do the ugly work war requires will never be forgiven for any generation. We are not that evolved. But take today to spend at least a moment to think of that man or woman who gets no holiday, who is under fire, who is missing their child's surgery or knows that they will not live out the day. Think hard about it.

Now raise one to the fallen, raise one to those who struggle to come back to the world and raise one to those who are lined up to take their places. We drink freely at their expense.

For all of you in uniform and those who have passed, I thank you, my family thanks you and this one is to all of you.

Slainte.

CHEERS!

[NightShiftCharlie]

Salud, and to our allies, too.

[coqui_chris]

When I was young I was at awe with the heroics my Poppop performed fighting in the battles in the Pacific Theater of WWII. To this day I remember going to the cemetery with him on Memorial Day, and I miss him.

As I got older, I learned more of his shortcomings. He neglected, drank, gambled. (From an Irish American ..?! Hard to believe, Harry)

And yet I named my first-born son after him.

My Poppop was a hero and a scoundrel; a generous man and a negligent bastard; an egotistic narcissist and a selfless, dedicated partner and manager.

I miss him every day of my life.

[Judge]

When I was young I was at awe with the heroics my Poppop performed fighting in the battles in the Pacific Theater of WWII. To this day I remember going to the cemetery with him on Memorial Day, and I miss him.

As I got older, I learned more of his shortcomings. He neglected, drank, gambled. (From an Irish American ..?! Hard to believe, Harry)

And yet I named my first-born son after him.

My Poppop was a hero and a scoundrel; a generous man and a negligent bastard; an egotistic narcissist and a selfless, dedicated partner and manager.

I miss him every day of my life.

And that's why we honor them. They are us but they had to be a bit bigger than they were even if they didn't want to be.

[Mr Boozificator]

A day for BBQ's. A day off. A day to get hammered (well aren't they all?). A day to lament the increased price of beer. A day to remember why I get to do all this.

The owner of this site, some of the moderators either have or still wear the uniform of their country. I seriously doubt anyone of you don't know someone who voluntarily chose to take up arms to defend their way of life. They may have been looking to get a college degree, get out of poverty or just find a path in life. Whatever the reason, they knew going in that combat of some kind was a possibility or probability. These men and women are from all walks of life, of all levels of education and abilities. They share together a camaraderie with fellow soldiers the world over. Even some of those they might face in conflict.

This day is set aside to take a moment to remember those who have served or are serving but mostly to remember those who did not return. I'll bet most of you can name at least one person you know of who's life was shortened due to war.

One can debate the cause, worth or legality of any conflict but you cannot debate the resolve of those who for very little pay go forth to protect your right to live your life the way you choose.

There are few left these days of the WW2 generation, the Korean and Vietnam folks are dwindling as well. Many of those military people did not willingly sign up but go they did. Other countries (especially in Europe and Africa) have had conflicts we in the US did not engage in but I think of them as well.

To do the ugly work war requires will never be forgiven for any generation. We are not that evolved. But take today to spend at least a moment to think of that man or woman who gets no holiday, who is under fire, who is missing their child's surgery or knows that they will not live out the day. Think hard about it.

Now raise one to the fallen, raise one to those who struggle to come back to the world and raise one to those who are lined up to take their places. We drink freely at their expense.

For all of you in uniform and those who have passed, I thank you, my family thanks you and this one is to all of you.

Slainte.

Cheers!

[binary]

When I was young I was at awe with the heroics my Poppop performed fighting in the battles in the Pacific Theater of WWII. To this day I remember going to the cemetery with him on Memorial Day, and I miss him.

As I got older, I learned more of his shortcomings. He neglected, drank, gambled. (From an Irish American ..?! Hard to believe, Harry)

And yet I named my first-born son after him.

My Poppop was a hero and a scoundrel; a generous man and a negligent bastard; an egotistic narcissist and a selfless, dedicated partner and manager.

I miss him every day of my life.

And that's why we honor them. They are us but they had to be a bit bigger than they were even if they didn't want to be.

You've all put more wisdom in this thread than most probably find in a year.

Cheers.

[Patchez]

To those that never made it home and to those who came back but still never made it home.

Cheers!

[NYDingbat]

Your words are a fine tribute, Judge. And yours a reminder, Patchez.

God bless and slainte.