this holiday is a day when personal politics need to be set aside. This holiday is not barbecues

In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, 1915.
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.

As you drink, relax, party or cook out, stop and think about why you are able to do so. Take a moment to reflect why as Americans, we are able to BBQ, play video games, drive in our cars, go to the movies and generally take it easy for an entire day. You are free because some died; someone gave their life so you could enjoy yours. Husbands, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, wives, co-workers, friends and yes even that sonofabitch you couldn’t stand all took the oath, wore the uniform and gave their lives…for you.

To honor all those who served, here are a few stories(stolen from a friend). There are five in all.

Sergeant Major Joseph Daniel “Dan” Daly USMC, November 11, 1873 – April 27, 1937. Dan Daly is best known for his famous cry during the Battle of Belleau Wood, when, besieged, outnumbered, outgunned, and pinned down, he led his men in attack, shouting, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” He is one of a very few American Servicemen ever to receive the Medal of Honor, twice. During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 in China, then Private Daly was standing post when he was besieged by Chinese rebels. After running out of ammunition, Sgt Major Daly drew his knife and fought off repeated attacks by Chinese. He was found the next day, alive and surrounded by the bodies...

this holiday is a day when personal politics need to be set aside. This holiday is not barbecues

In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, 1915.
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.

As you drink, relax, party or cook out, stop and think about why you are able to do so. Take a moment to reflect why as Americans, we are able to BBQ, play video games, drive in our cars, go to the movies and generally take it easy for an entire day. You are free because some died; someone gave their life so you could enjoy yours. Husbands, daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, wives, co-workers, friends and yes even that sonofabitch you couldn’t stand all took the oath, wore the uniform and gave their lives…for you.

To honor all those who served, here are a few stories(stolen from a friend). There are five in all.

Sergeant Major Joseph Daniel “Dan” Daly USMC, November 11, 1873 – April 27, 1937. Dan Daly is best known for his famous cry during the Battle of Belleau Wood, when, besieged, outnumbered, outgunned, and pinned down, he led his men in attack, shouting, “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?” He is one of a very few American Servicemen ever to receive the Medal of Honor, twice. During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 in China, then Private Daly was standing post when he was besieged by Chinese rebels. After running out of ammunition, Sgt Major Daly drew his knife and fought off repeated attacks by Chinese. He was found the next day, alive and surrounded by the bodies of nearly 200 dead Chinese attackers. Sgt Major Daly stood 5′6″ and weighed 132 pounds.

1st Lt Deming “Dick” Bronson USA, July 8, 1894 – May 29, 1957. The Medal of Honor Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with the enemy. On the morning of 26 September, during the advance of the 364th Infantry, 1st Lt. Bronson was struck by an exploding enemy hand grenade, receiving deep cuts on his face and the back of his head. He nevertheless participated in the action which resulted in the capture of an enemy dugout from which a great number of prisoners were taken. This was effected with difficulty and under extremely hazardous conditions because it was necessary to advance without the advantage of cover and, from an exposed position, throw hand grenades and phosphorus bombs to compel the enemy to surrender. On the afternoon of the same day he was painfully wounded in the left arm by an enemy rifle bullet, and after receiving first aid treatment he was directed to the rear. Disregarding these instructions, 1st Lt. Bronson remained on duty with his company through the night although suffering from severe pain and shock. On the morning of 27 September, his regiment resumed its attack, the object being the village of Eclisfontaine. Company H, to which 1st Lt. Bronson was assigned, was left in support of the attacking line, Company E being in the line. He gallantly joined that company in spite of his wounds and engaged with it in the capture of the village. After the capture he remained with Company E and participated with it in the capture of an enemy machinegun, he himself killing the enemy gunner. Shortly after this encounter the company was compelled to retire due to the heavy enemy artillery barrage. During this retirement 1st Lt. Bronson, who was the last man to leave the advanced position, was again wounded in both arms by an enemy high-explosive shell. He was then assisted to cover by another officer who applied first aid. Although bleeding profusely and faint from the loss of blood, 1st Lt. Bronson remained with the survivors of the company throughout the night of the second day, refusing to go to the rear for treatment. His conspicuous gallantry and spirit of self-sacrifice were a source of great inspiration to the members of the entire command.

Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class George E. Wahlen USN (WWII)/ Major USA (Post WWII),August 8, 1924 – June 5, 2009. Citation as follows: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 26th Marines, 5th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano group on 3 March 1945. Painfully wounded in the bitter action on 26 February, Wahlen remained on the battlefield, advancing well forward of the frontlines to aid a wounded marine and carrying him back to safety despite a terrific concentration of fire. Tireless in his ministrations, he consistently disregarded all danger to attend his fighting comrades as they fell under the devastating rain of shrapnel and bullets, and rendered prompt assistance to various elements of his combat group as required. When an adjacent platoon suffered heavy casualties, he defied the continuous pounding of heavy mortars and deadly fire of enemy rifles to care for the wounded, working rapidly in an area swept by constant fire and treating 14 casualties before returning to his own platoon. Wounded again on 2 March, he gallantly refused evacuation, moving out with his company the following day in a furious assault across 600 yards of open terrain and repeatedly rendering medical aid while exposed to the blasting fury of powerful Japanese guns. Stouthearted and indomitable, he persevered in his determined efforts as his unit waged fierce battle and, unable to walk after sustaining a third agonizing wound, resolutely crawled 50 yards to administer first aid to still another fallen fighter. By his dauntless fortitude and valor, Wahlen served as a constant inspiration and contributed vitally to the high morale of his company during critical phases of this strategically important engagement. His heroic spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of overwhelming enemy fire upheld the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Captain Lance Peter Sijan USAF April 13, 1942 – January 22, 1968. On the night of November 9, 1967, for his 52nd combat mission, Sijan and pilot Lt. Col. John Armstrong were tasked with a bombing mission over North Vietnam. As they rolled in on their target to release their ordnance, their F-4C was engulfed in a ball of fire, due to the bomb fuses malfunctioning and causing a premature detonation on their release. The Phantom then entered a banking climb before plunging into the jungle. Sijan had suffered a fractured skull, a mangled right hand, and a compound fracture of the left leg from his rough landing. He was without food, with very little water, and no survival kit; nevertheless, he evaded enemy forces for 46 days (all the time scooting on his back down the rocky limestone karst on which he landed, causing more injuries). The North Vietnamese finally captured him on December 25, 1967. Emaciated and in poor health, he still managed to overpower his guard and escape, but was recaptured several hours later. In considerable pain from his wounds, he suffered beatings and extensive torture from his captors, but never gave any information other than what the Geneva Convention allowed. Suffering from exhaustion, malnutrition, and disease, he was sent to Hoa Lo Prison (the notorious Hanoi Hilton) where he contracted pneumonia and died in on January 22, 1968. His remains were repatriated on March 13, 1974 and were positively identified on April 22, 1974. His promotion to Captain and the Medal of Honor were awarded posthumously. By God, there are many rasons that make me proud to be an American, this man is one of them !

Our nations forces consist of 5 branches, though the Coast Guard is not part of the Department of Defense, its members have server valiantly during times of need.

Douglas Albert Munro USCG, October 11, 1919 – September 27, 1942. A naturalized citizen of Canadian birth participated in the landing at Guadalcanal in World War II. His citation is the only award of the Medal of Honor to a member of the United States Coast Guard and is cited below.
For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty as Officer-in-Charge of a group of Higgins boats, engaged in the evacuation of a Battalion of Marines trapped by enemy Japanese forces at Point Cruz, Guadalcanal, on September 27, 1942. After making preliminary plans for the evacuation of nearly 500 beleaguered Marines, Munro, under constant risk of his life, daringly led five of his small craft toward the shore. As he closed the beach, he signaled the others to land, and then in order to draw the enemy’s fire and protect the heavily loaded boats, he valiantly placed his craft with its two small guns as a shield between the beachhead and the Japanese. When the perilous task of evacuation was nearly completed, Munro was killed by enemy fire, but his crew, two of whom were wounded, carried on until the last boat had loaded and cleared the beach. By his outstanding leadership, expert planning, and dauntless devotion to duty, he and his courageous comrades undoubtedly saved the lives of many who otherwise would have perished. He gallantly gave up his life in defense of his country.

3468 Medals of Honor have been awarded since its inception during the Civil War, 618 posthumously. These stories here reflect only a portion of the heroism, gallantry and patriotism of the American Service member.

Happy Memorial Day.




AMemorial DayPrayer
By Rev. Dick Kozelka (ret)
First Congregational Church of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN.

Eternal God,
Creator of years, of centuries,
Lord of whatever is beyond time,
Maker of all species and master of all history --
How shall we speak to you
from our smallness and inconsequence?
Except that you have called us to worship you
in spirit and in truth;
You have dignified us with loves and loyalties;
You have lifted us up with your lovingkindnesses.
Therefore we are bold to come before you without groveling
[though we sometimes feel that low]
and without fear
[though we are often anxious].
We sing with spirit and pray with courage
because you have dignified us;
You have redeemed us from the aimlessness
of things' going meaninglessly well.
God, lift the hearts of those
for whom this holiday is not just diversion,
but painful memory and continued deprivation.
Bless those whose dear ones have died
needlessly, wastefully [as it seems]
in accident or misadventure.
We remember with compassion those who have died
serving their countries
in the futility of combat.
There is none of us but must come to bereavement and separation,
when all the answers we are offered
fail the question death asks of each of us.
We believe that you will provide for us
as others have been provided with the fulfillment of
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Words to Taps
(Note: there are no "official" words to Taps
below are the most popular.)

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.



Today is a day of remembrance for all who have worked so we can remain free.


The Heroes
�2002 Roger W Hancock (www.PoetPatriot.com)

Some Heroes obvious, some unsung,
their lives and health, tempting fate.
Vulnerable in tasks for our civilization,
few glories for their life's profession.


The Service men in our Armed Forces,
the cause be sure for freedom's sake.
For their family, strangers, citizens all,
few medals show their life's duress.


The policeman whose life is in peril,
by high-speed chase, gunfight ensued.
The simple traffic stop may kill,
few medals show the dangers faced.


The man who is trained as a fireman,
to save our lives, our homes from fire.
The first on scene when aid in need,
few medals show each hazardous deed.


The utilities that keep our comfort whole,
power and phone, the men on poles.
Sewage, garbage disposed for health,
no recognition for the civilian fight.


The many others whose work obscure,
performing tasks with risks not yours.
Construction, or the viral flu to cure,
no medals glory for the civilian plight.