Memorial Day Thread

[Bo Diddley]

This was from my senior recital. I think Charles Ives really brought another level to this unforgetable poem.

You gots pipes, Cope.

[Copelius]

This was from my senior recital. I think Charles Ives really brought another level to this unforgetable poem.

[BigPiney]

Happy Memorial Day!

My kids are marching with their HS band in the national memorial Day parade today back in DC. Been a cool experience for them thus far.

[Pelado]

Happy Memorial Day!

[LA Ute]

This is always a great site to browse anytime, but especially around Memorial Day:

http://www.history.army.mil/moh.html

A member of our ward who recently died was a Marine who served in WWII (including Guadalcanal). He once told me that Medal of Honor winners were only the tip of the iceberg, that acts of heroism occurred all the time but not enough people saw them (or survived to tell about them) to enable the acts to be recognized. That's thought-provoking.

Here's a random Medal of Honor citation:

*THOMAS, HERBERT JOSEPH

Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Born: 8 February 1918, Columbus, Ohio. Accredited to: West Virginia. Citation: For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the battle at the Koromokina River, Bougainville Islands, Solomon Islands, on 7 November 1943. Although several of his men were struck by enemy bullets as he led his squad through dense jungle undergrowth in the face of severe hostile machinegun fire, Sgt. Thomas and his group fearlessly pressed forward into the center of the Japanese position and destroyed the crews of 2 machineguns by accurate rifle fire and grenades. Discovering a third gun more difficult to approach, he carefully placed his men closely around him in strategic positions from which they were to charge after he had thrown a grenade into the emplacement. When the grenade struck vines and fell back into the midst of the group, Sgt. Thomas deliberately flung himself upon it to smother the explosion, valiantly sacrificing his life for his comrades. Inspired by his selfless action, his men unhesitatingly charged the enemy machinegun and, with fierce determination, killed the crew and several other nearby-defenders. The splendid initiative and extremely heroic conduct of Sgt. Thomas in carrying out his prompt decision with full knowledge of his fate reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

He was only 27 years old. His story is important to remember. One of my sons plans to enter the Navy after graduation from the U. and so I see these stories a little differently than I used to.

[Moliere]

This was a fitting setting right before Memorial Day. Quite a somber visit...

[LA Ute]

This could be a place to post thoughts about Memorial Day and opportunities to make the day more meaningful.

Here's a KBYU program set for this evening that looks worthwhile:

Medal of Honor

This program profiles America's greatest heroes -- recipients of our country's highest honor for military service. With a combination of clips, archival photography and interviews with, among others, 13 of the 102 still living recipients, the film tells not only the story of the three medals of honor (one for each branch of the armed services),and the many stories of its nearly 3500 recipients, but also reflects on the extraordinary feats that ordinary people perform when placed in the cauldron of combat. Lastly, and sadly, it reminds us of the exploits of those who have received the honor posthumously in conflicts up to and including the Iraq war.