Thanks Charlie and to all those that served their country.  On Memorial Day let's reflect on all those who sacrificed so that we can speak freely on this forum and anywhere else in this great country:  http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

LarryD

USAR 64-70

All of my grandmother's sons, served in World War II

All of my mother's sons, served in Viet Nam

All of my grandmother's sons are now gone, as is one of my mother's sons

These two women I knew, who also are gone, gave huge parts of themselves

All for the nation they loved

I thought the time would not come again, except for a planetwide war

Yet I turn on the news and hear again of the mothers, who've given huge parts of themselves

All for the nation they love

A new era, new war, yet it all stays the same

Just with a different name

Charlie Erickson

SGT.  U.S. Army  1968 - 1971

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   Thanks Larryd, for your service to our country.  Thank you to all of the mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, friends and lovers, who've given big parts of themselves.  Thank you to all who have served, in the many years that've gone by.  It's an honor for me, to be in such company.  It's now been 40 years since I first donned the uniform.   

   Thank you to all who currently serve, and thank you in advance, for those yet to come.

   Let us now bow our heads to enormously thank, and to remember all of those who once bore the burden, on this day of dedication and reflection.  Let us honor those who once wore the uniform, and who can now only speak from the past. 

   Have a thankful, reflective, and a safe Memorial Day weekend, to all. 

Charlie.