Memorial Day

Memorial Day.

Bonfire of the Absurdities: After 35 year career writing software for IBM mainframes, am now self-employed contractor thinking of joining a union and striking for higher wages. Cured morbid fear of heights when I learned to look at them as lengths standing on end. Uncompromising in refusal to accept browser cookies. Amateur investor who has accumulated a small fortune in the market after starting out years ago with a large one. For recreation, I run, hike, kayak and play tennis but will not consider synchronized swimming under any circumstances.

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    • Here is a song about that movie. It's called "Where Eagles Dare", & it is done by my very favorite band, Iron Maiden of course. This is a live version recorded in Germany. There's some irony...

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNb-BvwUMQ0

      ...here are the lyrics & follow along now...

      It's snowing outside the rumbling sound
      of engines roar in the night.
      The mission is near the confident men
      are waiting to drop from the sky.

      The Blizzard goes on but still they must fly
      No one should go where eagles dare.

      Bavarian alps that lay all around
      they seem to stare from below.
      The enemy lines a long time passed
      are lying deep in the snow.

      Into the night they fall through the sky
      No one should fly where eagles dare.

      They're closing in the fortress is near
      it's standing high in the sky.
      The cable car's the only way in
      it's really impossible to climb.

      They make their way but maybe too late
      They've got to try to save the day.

      The panicking cries the roaring of guns
      are echoing all around the valley.
      The mission complete they make to escape
      away from the Eagles Nest.

      They dared to go where no one would try
      they chose to fly where eagles dare.

  • I feel a particular sadness with regard to the ultimate sacrifice made when I consider not only the direction that the leadership is taking this country but also the fact that so very many are willing to let it happen without uttering so much as a peep in protest... and that those who would so willingly put their lives on the line are treated as enemies of the country as thanks for their willingness to sacrifice their own lives so we have a chance to live freely.

    Too many are unwilling to put any skin in the game and will willingly turn over what other people have fought so hard for them to have. My prayer is that the people wake up before it's too late and act to ensure that so many sacrifices will turn out to be for nothing.

  • For those who have paid the ultimate price, rest in peace and on behalf of those who where fortunate enough to return we Thank You. For SSgt Dale White, take comfort that your comrades, friends, "brothers" are looking out for Michelle and the children.

    Rest my friend, we will continue on...

    • I've been thinking of some fallen heroes today. One I went to school with who was shot down over Baghdad in 1991. The other a young captain killed by a jihadi dressed as an Afghan cop this past March. There are others but these two have been on my mind the most today. Both were 28 at the times of their deaths.

        • I'm fortunate to have not lost any friends or family in combat, but am very thankful for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
          Too bad the current CIC is too stupid to comprehend this.

          • I have lost a couple co-workers in the last decade, so every Memorial day I put a flag and flowers out in the cemetery of the little town where I live, There are a few vets buried there, a couple of cops killed int he line of duty that were also vets, I figure a few minutes of my time is well worth it. Plus it's such a nice peaceful place. A little time to reflect. When I was living in the midwest I would do the same for my uncles KIA in WWII, one in the battle of the bulge, the other over Germany...I know some of the relatives still pay a memorial day visit.

  • I know it is politically incorrect to think of our soldiers as Christian soldiers, but after 25 years of Army service and watching my father put in 30 in the USAF, I think those white crosses are definitely appropriate for our Veterans. My father is buried under one at Jefferson Barracks, and I will be at Ft. Bliss. God Bless our soldiers, their families and we will never forget. Soldier on.......

    (for the record, the grave markers now are in "tablet" form, which can have crosses or Jewish stars, etc etched in them, crosses not pc enough )