Thank You For My Freedom

[Rare Pony]

You are quite welcome.

But let us keep in mind Memorial Day is for those who have fallen serving our country. Last weekend I was remembering the shipmates I lost. In 1989 I was aboard a battleship in the Caribbean when a gun turret exploded. It killed 47 of my comrades.

Wow, I remember hearing about that when it happened! I'm glad you survived, but sorry you lost your comrades.

[1969jimmach]

Thanks Bob And Klutch for what you have done I never served but always ADMIRED those who have.And have alot of friends who have.

[Masterblaster7212]

wow;
I remember that explosion on the news; I believe it was the US Iowa.
It was the #2 turret of the USS Iowa (BB-61).

Memorial day is forgotten many times in celebration of the picnic with families but the good old motorcycle clubs bring it all back to reality in thier own way.
I had a LCpl Blair get killed in Iraq. He was so young and a former student of mine after he graduated Bootcamp. I was a formal schools instructor for him and had liked him alot. He had graduated and a year later was assigned to 2nd Low Altitude Air Defense Batallion stationed at Cherry Point North Carolina. He died in a firefight when he and I were in Iraq but at seperate "Sister" unit locations. Its really hard to stop remembering things like that.
They gave thier all and then some.
These young Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines and CoastGuard personnel work hard and deserve our gratitude.
Now that I have retired a few years ago, I appreciate all they do even more.

Ray Rollins
USMC Retired
1984-2004

[Steven Harris]

Thank you Ray for your service to our country and our young countrymen.

Count me in as one who will remember those who gave all as the young man previously mentioned.