I meant to post this song yesterday but got tied up. It's one of my Ghosts Of Pompeii songs but is appropriate for Memorial Day and remembering those who have left us.
@ocpunk714, This is what I found, similar to what you found,with maybe a couple of exceptions. Their maybe a email address you can contact if still viable, also the final document describes your Uncles death looks very official to me. The horrible part of this is not only his death but the length of time in country.One day over a month before he was killed, I don't have the words to describe the feeling I had when I read this. Just unbelievable. At any rate I hope I've helped you to get a better understanding of an American hero, your Uncle.
@buflosab I am very grateful for the insight you have provided me. It’s very humbling and tragic to know so many men and women have put their own safety at risk for our country. So we can be free. I can only imagine the sadness my family went through or how it affected them as young adults.
Your welcome, it was my pleasure, by the way I also requested a name rubbing of your uncle, that way hopefully the chances of one of us recieveing the item will go up. If I recieve one I will be happy to send it to you when the time comes.
The reason I don't wear anything military related over Memorial Day weekend is so that people don't stop me and say, "Thank You for Your Service." Memorial Day is the day set aside to remember military personnel who fell in the line of duty. (I don't begrudge those who honor fallen police officers or firefighters who are included in Memorial Day ceremonies. They to have fallen doing their duty in service to the country."
I disagree with those who think Memorial Day is a day for BBQs, picnics, beach parties, baseball games and the Indianapolis 500 or NASCAR. Memorial Day is not a day to sit around and get drunk. (Though I do understand why some military veterans may do so.) Memorial Day is not the day to celebrate those who have worn the uniform and survived - that would be Veteran's Day. Memorial Day is not the day to celebrate those who currently wear a uniform and are serving their country - that would be Armed Forces Day.
Let me say this again, Memorial Day is not a day of celebration. You do not celebrate death. You reflect on those whose lives ended in service to the country.
Memorial Day weekend Sunday at my church yesterday. You may have to zoom in and they're not all pictured, but there are 82 total flags displayed. All flags were purchased by families who lost loved ones while serving in the armed forces. Each flag has the name of the fallen one represented...
On Memorial Day, we pause to remember those who have given their life for the United States of America, and the continued cost of upbuilding and preserving this nation. This is a day that often finds its true meaning obscured by barbecues and social gatherings..
Memorial Day began as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, as a day for decorating the graves of those who died in the American Civil War; a day of memorial for those on both sides of the conflict. In life, they had been believers and non-believers; native-born and immigrant; free men, slavers, and slaves. But in death, they were all Americans. If we could but recognize that truth, perhaps our political discourse could be more focused on the issues and less on demonizing those who disagree with us.
God of our ancestors,
Shelter those who defend our nation
Protect them from harm
Be with them in their efforts
in times of peace and on the battlefield.
In conflict, may the know victory.
Grant healing to those who are wounded
and swift deliverance for those taken by an enemy
Grant consolation to those who mourn
and eternal life to those who have fallen
Be ever with our civil and military leaders
May it be Your will that hostilities cease
That those who serve may return to their families
May freedom dawn for the oppressed, speedily and in our day
May the vision be fulfilled:
Let nation not lift up sword against nation nor learn war anymore.
@PappyJoe Is that a “memorial garden?” or a veterans cemetery?…if they are headstones, they look pretty close together. Did your wife serve in the military or, if a veteran’s cemetery, does a spouse of a veteran qualify for the honor?
@RockyMountainBriar That is the Southeast Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery. Section 1 is for burial of cremation remains. State veteran cemeteries generally follow the regulations and guidelines for national veterans cemeteries. Veteran's, their spouse and in some cases, dependent children are eligible to be buried in veteran cemeteries.
So, yes, the spouses of veterans are eligible for burial. Sharon and I had discussed what we would like to happen when we passed a few times over the years. Both of us wanted to be cremated. My intention was to take her ashes back to Washington State and place them with her parents and siblings as her father had bought a large family plot a long time ago. All of our children wanted her ashes placed somewhere locally so they could occasionally visit her. (My wishes were to have my ashes spread in the arctic ocean from a Coast Guard cutter.) The cemetery administrator I dealt with said that dividing the ashes between two urns and burying one and have the remaining ashes spread at sea was more common than most people would think.
The other thing is that with cremation we could both be placed in the same plot. Sharon's information is currently on the front of the headstone. When I pass and my ashes are placed with her, my information will be on the front of the headstone and hers will be on the back side. I see a lot of headstones with both at the cemetery.
In the section my wife is in, there are at least two couples buried side by side because they were both military veterans.
@PappyJoe Thanks for that information and enlightenment. I learn something new everyday.
It would be very comforting to be near loved ones, and also, in your case, to have some part of you “spread about” in memory of your time in the service.
Comments
I meant to post this song yesterday but got tied up. It's one of my Ghosts Of Pompeii songs but is appropriate for Memorial Day and remembering those who have left us.
Memorial Day is the day set aside to remember military personnel who fell in the line of duty. (I don't begrudge those who honor fallen police officers or firefighters who are included in Memorial Day ceremonies. They to have fallen doing their duty in service to the country."
I disagree with those who think Memorial Day is a day for BBQs, picnics, beach parties, baseball games and the Indianapolis 500 or NASCAR.
Memorial Day is not a day to sit around and get drunk. (Though I do understand why some military veterans may do so.)
Memorial Day is not the day to celebrate those who have worn the uniform and survived - that would be Veteran's Day.
Memorial Day is not the day to celebrate those who currently wear a uniform and are serving their country - that would be Armed Forces Day.
Let me say this again, Memorial Day is not a day of celebration. You do not celebrate death. You reflect on those whose lives ended in service to the country.
Well said. God bless the souls of the fallen and their loved ones who must carry on without them.
Some people confuse spring break with Memorial Day.
You may have to zoom in and they're not all pictured, but there are 82 total flags displayed. All flags were purchased by families who lost loved ones while serving in the armed forces. Each flag has the name of the fallen one represented...
Beautiful tribute.
Enough talk about democrats.
On Memorial Day, we pause to remember those who have given their life for the United States of America, and the continued cost of upbuilding and preserving this nation. This is a day that often finds its true meaning obscured by barbecues and social gatherings..
Memorial Day began as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, as a day for decorating the graves of those who died in the American Civil War; a day of memorial for those on both sides of the conflict. In life, they had been believers and non-believers; native-born and immigrant; free men, slavers, and slaves. But in death, they were all Americans. If we could but recognize that truth, perhaps our political discourse could be more focused on the issues and less on demonizing those who disagree with us.
God of our ancestors,
Shelter those who defend our nation
Protect them from harm
Be with them in their efforts
in times of peace and on the battlefield.
In conflict, may the know victory.
Grant healing to those who are wounded
and swift deliverance for those taken by an enemy
Grant consolation to those who mourn
and eternal life to those who have fallen
Be ever with our civil and military leaders
May it be Your will that hostilities cease
That those who serve may return to their families
May freedom dawn for the oppressed, speedily and in our day
May the vision be fulfilled:
Let nation not lift up sword against nation nor learn war anymore.
Amen
Is that a “memorial garden?” or a veterans cemetery?…if they are headstones, they look pretty close together. Did your wife serve in the military or, if a veteran’s cemetery, does a spouse of a veteran qualify for the honor?
That is the Southeast Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery. Section 1 is for burial of cremation remains.
State veteran cemeteries generally follow the regulations and guidelines for national veterans cemeteries. Veteran's, their spouse and in some cases, dependent children are eligible to be buried in veteran cemeteries.
So, yes, the spouses of veterans are eligible for burial. Sharon and I had discussed what we would like to happen when we passed a few times over the years. Both of us wanted to be cremated. My intention was to take her ashes back to Washington State and place them with her parents and siblings as her father had bought a large family plot a long time ago. All of our children wanted her ashes placed somewhere locally so they could occasionally visit her. (My wishes were to have my ashes spread in the arctic ocean from a Coast Guard cutter.) The cemetery administrator I dealt with said that dividing the ashes between two urns and burying one and have the remaining ashes spread at sea was more common than most people would think.
The other thing is that with cremation we could both be placed in the same plot. Sharon's information is currently on the front of the headstone. When I pass and my ashes are placed with her, my information will be on the front of the headstone and hers will be on the back side. I see a lot of headstones with both at the cemetery.
In the section my wife is in, there are at least two couples buried side by side because they were both military veterans.
Thanks for that information and enlightenment. I learn something new everyday.