Thoughts: Memorial Day

This is a partial repost from a few years back.

THOUGHTS

by

Just Gene

about

Memorial Day

FIND A VET, SAY THANKS

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

JFK’S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60’s when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaulle said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded, “Does that include those who are buried here?” DeGaulle did not respond.

You could have heard a pin drop

When in England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by The Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of ’empire building’ by George Bush. He answered by saying,” Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

Think happy thoughts – never forget what we promised to remember!
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Original post

Time has a time-elapsed video of the placement of flags ceremony at Arlington Cemetery It’s 1 minute and well worth a view.