Salute to the troops! 4th of July, 2010 Independence Day

O/T I thought we could make an exception, and allow an off topic thread, for all of our Troops, parents and friends here that love someone in the military.

On the forth of July I thought we could all express our appreciation for the troops. Those of you that have friends and families serving could print the comments and send them their way.

I also want to thank our civilian heroes, the police and firemen from 9-11 and every day across America that keep us safe and free.

Please post your thoughts , say a few words to our brave young men and women that are deployed all over the world. May they all come home safely!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-VsgSb9-Zs[/ame] Some gave all! These are soldiers coming back from Iraq after the ultimate sacrifice. The American flag drapes their coffins. I want to thank all the families of the military. In many ways they serve too.

So very many of our young kids signed up for service to our country after 9 - 11, from all backgrounds, rich poor, simple and brilliant, they rose up like Americans have throughout our history. I am so proud to be an American!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B_ROi8UP9Q[/ame]

Do you remember where you were on that day, at that moment that you heard the news The United States is under attack. We are under a terrorist attack" ? I remember it exactly where I was and with whom , it felt like the whole world stood still.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW8puRqE4Sc[/ame]

"Let Freedom ring, let the white dove sing
Let the whole world know that today is a
Day of reckoning
Let the weak be strong, let the right be wrong
Roll the stone away, Let the guilty pay, It's
Independence Day "

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E[/ame]



from Martina McBride's song Independence day

For all of our veterans, our dads and moms , our brothers and sisters, our grandfather's that all served..thank you all. You are heroes!

Why is this in Caylee's forum?

I didn't know where to put it, but I know of many of our members that are on this thread daily that have children overseas serving our country, many on their second and third tours, right now that they pray for on their knees every night. If it were up to me, it would be on every forum.

It is just one thread, for one day. One day to say thank you. In public, proud and with conviction. I thought one puts something in the basement because it is potentially offensive.

I didn't go there to post it ; because, to me that would be the most offensive thing we could ever do, hide it from public view. We don't sing the national anthem in our bedrooms. We sing it , we sing our hearts out in very, very public places with many, many other people we don't know. The only thing we know for sure is we are singing it together, while we stand together, as Americans.



[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ETrr-XHBjE[/ame]

The Star Spangled Banner
In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem, Defense of Fort McHenry. The poem was later put to the tune of (John Stafford Smith's song) The Anacreontic Song, modified somewhat, and retitled The Star Spangled Banner. Congress proclaimed The Star Spangled Banner the U.S. National Anthem in 1931.


Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

I am that which others did not want to do.
I went where others failed to go and did what others failed to do.
I asked nothing from those who gave nothing and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness... should I fail.
I have seen the face of terror, felt the stinging of the cold fear and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moments love.
I have cried, pained, and hoped... but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten; at least someday I will be able to say…
I am proud of what I am...

Great idea, TWA. I don't have any relatives in the military but I offer my most sincere gratitude and respect to those of you who do. THANK YOU to all who are serving our wonderful nation in the armed forces.:blowkiss:

Absolutely fantastic idea for every forum! Not a military mom but those 911 clips jolted me back to the DAY....and the organized, respectful chaos of the "PILE" aka Ground Zero. Working to find, identify and return the victims to relatives, especially the 343, was the hardest task EVER but made me even more dedicated to seeking leaving no stone unturned in ANY case. God bless America, those who struggle for our freedom & all who insure the sanctity of our stability under law.

Thanks Julia. Coming from a military family, married a career military officer and have many friends who are military members, tomorrow IS a special day. I recognize all military in uniform every time I pass them and thank them for their service. Even just a smile or nod of recognition from a stranger will brighten their day. And believe it or not, most remember these gestures of kindness and talk about them.

Whether you support the wars or not, support the service member who made the personal choice to serve and protect our country.

Thanks TWA. Thanks to our vets and current soldiers. Let us never forget their bravery.

I was anAirforce brat myself...father was in Vietnam, rose through the ranks. Sister was in Desert Storm. Family is all from North Jersey...my uncle worked on Wall Street on 9/11 and never recovered from the sights...died of cirrhosis last year. Thanks for the tribute, TWA. It occured to me while watching fireworks tonight that this was the night CA sent LA on a chase for KC. She had begged CA to bring Caylee home for the fourth so they could watch fireworks...all the while Caylee lay down the street in garbage bags.

God Bless America and God Bless all the Troops around the world from all the countries who fight for freedom.

Thankyou Julia!

I am a new American citizen and so fiercely proud I growl!

Welcome to the US, SallyLu! :woohoo:

Sally , How incredibly wonderful!!!!!
Welcome to Websleuths and Welcome to America!!!




[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E5lSYDV4CM[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP5dUz8nyYE[/ame]
"Let's roll!" Todd Beamer

Darryl Worley - Have You Forgotten
-----
Lyrics:
I hear people sayin'. We Don't need this war.
I say there's some things worth fightin' for.
What about our freedom, and this piece of ground?
We didn't get to keep 'em by backin' down.
They say we don't realize the mess we're gettin' in
Before you start preachin' let me ask you this my friend.

Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten, when those towers fell
We had neighbors still inside goin through a livin hell
And you say we shouldn't worry bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

You took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbin for you and me
It'll just breed anger is what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country just out lookin' for a fight
Well after 9/11 man I'd have to say right.

Have you forgotten, how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell
We had neighbors still inside goin' through a livin' hell
And we vow to get the ones behind Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
you can bet they remember just what they're fightin' for

Have you forgotten
All the people killed
Yes some went down like heroes
In that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten
About our Pentagon
All the loved ones that we lost
And those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry 'bout Bin Laden

Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?


[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpoudLoc8sY[/ame]

I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory.
I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.
I stand watch in America's halls of justice.
I fly majestically over institutions of learning.
I stand guard with power in the world.
Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident.
I am arrogant.
I am proud.
When I am flown with my fellow banners,
My head is a little higher,
My colors a little truer.
I bow to no one!
I am recognized all over the world.
I am worshiped - I am saluted.
I am loved - I am revered.
I am respected - and I am feared.
I have fought in every battle of every war for more then 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox.
I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France,
in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy.
Guam, Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me.
I'm presently in the mountains of Afghanistan and the hot and dusty deserts of Iraq and wherever freedom is needed.
I led my troops, I was dirty, battle worn and tired,
But my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.
I have been burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.
It does not hurt for I am invincible.
I have been soiled upon, burned, torn and trampled in the streets of my country.
And when it's done by those whom I've served in battle - it hurts.
But I shall overcome - for I am strong.
I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.
I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours.
But my finest hours are yet to come.
When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield,
When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier,
Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent
at the grave of their fallen son or daughter,

I am proud.

If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were
played; this brings out a new meaning.

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps". It's the
song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be
interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army
Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison 's Landing in
Virginia . The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of
land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay
severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate
soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man
back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the
Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his
encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was
actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with
shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son.
The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without
telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his
superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.
His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a
funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only
one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical
notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's
uniform.

This wish was granted.

The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals was
born.
The words are :

Day is done..

Gone the sun.

From the lakes.

From the hills.

From the sky.

All is well.

Safely rest.

God is nigh.


Fading light.

Dims the sight.

And a star.

Gems the sky.

Gleaming bright.

From afar.

Drawing nigh.

Falls the night.


Thanks and praise.

For our days.

Neath the sun.

Neath the stars.

Neath the sky.

As we go.

This we know.

God is nigh.

I too have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen
all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than
one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if
you had either so I thought I'd pass it along.

I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before.

I Pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with
Liberty and Justice for all.

For SBQR

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16MjXSj-Kek[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmH_QaayWqI[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G1FvlPakkU[/ame]
The gentlemen that stand and play Taps at the funerals are all volunteers. Volunteers and Veterans!!!! There is something sacred about the sound of Taps when you hear it. Thank you for getting us the lyrics. They are new to me as well. That story of how the song came to be is amazing!!!!

July 3, 2010

Remains of 7 servicemen from World War II identified

TYRONE, Pa. (AP) — U.S. military authorities have identified the remains of seven servicemen missing in action since their cargo plane went down in Burma during World War II.

The men were aboard a C-47A Sky-train that left India on May 23, 1944, to resupply Allied forces near Myitkyina, Burma, but never returned.

In 2002, a missionary found a data plate from a crash site about 31 miles northwest of Myitkyina. A military team excavated the site.

Aboard the plane were Air Force Tech. Sgt. Clarence Frantz of Tyrone, Pa.; Capt. Joseph M. Olbinski of Chicago; 1st Lt. Joseph J. Auld of Floral Park, N.Y.; 1st Lt. Robert M. Anderson of Millen, Ga.; Pfc. Richard M. Dawson of Haynesville, Va.; Pvt. Robert L. Crane of Sacramento, Calif.; and Pvt. Fred G. Fagan of Piedmont, Ala.

They will be buried with full military honors July 15 at Arlington National Cemetery.