Memorial Day weekend

[Nolatoolguy]

I ask that in this thread we abide by tool talk guidelines and keep our political opinions out of this. This thread is solely to honor those who have served.

This Memorial Day weekend I wanted to take a minute and say thanks to all you veterans out there. I know tool talk has 2 that I know of, and I am sure there are a few more as I don’t know everyones story. This is for you vets out there an families of the fallen.

Soldiers have always been there for America, ever since we established are independence they have been there to defend the stars and stripes. Many have fallen, but none have been forgotten. For someone to lay there life down for me to be free is a absolute gift. The saying “you shall not be forgotten” is not just a saying for me, it’s a personal thought I have every day. Every day I think of those men and women who fought for me. Every day I raise a flag in honor of you and take it down at night and fold it up right in honor of you. Every day I pray for those brave men and women currently serving overseas.

Theres lines to a song called Semper Fi by trace Adkins. I want to share the lines and ask you think about them.

“I sleep in my bed instead of a fox hole
Ive never heard my boss tell me to lock and load
Ain't no bullet holes in the side of my SUV
Cause the kid next door just shipped out overseas”

Chances are for those who haven’t served those words are true for us.  Personally those words are so true for me. Theres a 19 year old down the street that is deployed in Afghanistan and my bed is very comfy. Not to mention my boss doesn’t tell me to lock and load, he just tells me what to do at the warehouse and not the battlefield. My Our SUV is in good shape and it aint got no armor or gun mounts. We can thank those words being so true for us to all the soldiers who have fought for us.

I cant possiblely ever repay those who have served and especially those who have fallen, I cant possibly let the gold star mothers know how much I appreciate there son or daughters sacrifice cause the families serve as well, not just the soldier.
Shal we not forget those who fought for us an shall we not forget what a great land we live in. God bless are soldiers and god bless America.

[jimwrench]

 Well said.

[kxxr]

Thanks Nola, I think you have something we can all agree on. Without a vote!

[Branson]

For the first time in many years, I found a veteran distributing red poppies outside a store.  I remember that my grandfather, a vet himself, got one every year.  I picked one up, gave a donation to the VFW, and remembered all the times I saw my grandfather wearing one. 

For those who don't know, the red poppy is a symbol for the Fields of Flanders, where so many American soldiers of the First World War lie.

[Nolatoolguy]

Thanks guys I tried to word it a way we could aggree.

I am familier with the red poppy, my grandfather still wears one on memorial day.

[bonneyman]

I agree. A salute to all the veterans!

I ran into a Vietnam Veteran last week while shopping with the wife at the grocery store. I stopped to shake his hand his thank him for his service. It is my custom whenever I see someone wearing a hat or jacket marked "veteran" to do this.
Last year I came across an old WW 2 vet at McDonald's. I paused and thanked him for his service. After saying a little bit about what he did in the South Pacific, he asked if I ever served. I said yes, I did do a stint in the USAF. He thanked me for MY service! I told him I never saw combat - I just did the job I was told to do. He said it didn't matter - if you served, you served! Still impacts me today.

[Nolatoolguy]

yeh, I often shake a vets hand when I see them.

I also volunteer with the USO when I have spare time.

Thanks for your service bonneyman, you served also.