31 Monday May 2021
Posted in Motivation Monday
Today is Memorial Day. It is a day in the United States that we honor the fallen—those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. We also honor those families who lost someone serving the country.
So today, I thank all veterans and their families for their sacrifices to America—you will never be forgotten.
Until next time…
Dave
28 Friday May 2021
Posted in Funny Friday
Tags
Bob Woodward, History, Honoring, Memorial Day, Military, Obama, Politics, Reading, Remembering, The Fallen, time, Veterans
Today, there will be no joke. Instead, I wanted to write a little about how fast time moves along when we are engaged with something. I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, and just fell off my to-do list because the book was so riveting. I’m reading one of Bill Woodward’s book, called The Price of Politics. The book is about the Obama administration, discussing some of the key moments where he and the Republicans were banging head. The current story is about the budget negotiations prior to the 2012 Presidential election. What a crazy story. Woodward is really good at describing the nuances and complexity of negotiations between the House, Senate, and the Obama White house.
For some, reading political history is a little dull. I like to read history related to politics, prominent figures, and the military. I have to say that this book has been particularly engaging, because Woodward writes about something that occurred only a few years ago. By the way, his books on the Trump administration were also good. They are called Fury and Rage.
Anyway, time got away from me, as I ran down the Woodward rabbit hole the last few days. Am I done? No. There is still more to read. I’ll take advantage of the long weekend to do just that.
I hope all of you have a terrific Memorial Weekend. For those of you who are serving, or have relatives that are serving, I thank you for your or their service. I also would like to thank those who have fallen while serving our country. These people who made the ultimate sacrifice are those who we commemorate this weekend.
In light of this, I will not be back on here until Tuesday. Have a great weekend folks!
Until next time…
Dave
25 Monday May 2020
Posted in Memorial Day
Tags
America, Freedom, Heroes, Memorial Day, Remember, Sacrifice, The Fallen
Sleep, comrades, sleep and rest
On this Field of the Grounded Arms,
Where foes no more molest,
Nor sentry’s shot alarms!
Ye have slept on the ground before,
And started to your feet
At the cannon’s sudden roar,
Or the drum’s redoubling beat.
But in this camp of Death
No sound your slumber breaks;
Here is no fevered breath,
No wound that bleeds and aches.
All is repose and peace,
Untrampled lies the sod;
The shouts of battle cease,
It is the Truce of God!
Rest, comrades, rest and sleep!
The thoughts of men shall be
As sentinels to keep
Your rest from danger free.
Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry said it better than I could have. Today, we remember the fallen—those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Take a few moments and remember the brave souls, who gave their all so we could be free.
Until next time…
Dave
27 Monday May 2019
Posted in Memorial Day
Image by Jackie Williamson from Pixabay
“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.” – George S. Patton
Today is Memorial Day. It is a day that honors those who have fallen to preserve and defend our way of life in the United States. Many confuse Memorial Day with Veteran’s day. Memorial day is for the fallen. Veteran’s Day is about those who have fallen or served during conflict.
Like the quote above states, I do not mourn the loss of men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for God and country. I celebrate them. I honor their memory. I am grateful for all the men and women who served because they volunteered. Yeah, some were drafted, some had no choice, but they came nonetheless. They served. They left their families; they left their children, wives and husbands, sisters and brothers. They left their lives, their pets, and their friends. They did it all out of a sense of duty.
Today’s posting will be short because there is really nothing else to say, other than “Thank you” for the service you provided–a service that many do not want to provide.
Until next time…
Dave
27 Sunday May 2018
Posted in Memorial Day, Thank you
Folks! Today is my “do-nothing” day, but I would be a total dirtbag if I did not acknowledge the many veterans that have paid the ultimate price for our freedom and security, since the founding of this country.
Tomorrow is the day we pay tribute to these heroes.
Since some of my audience is not from the United States, I would recommend looking at your own country’s heroes and take a few moments to remember them.
To all veterans and their family members:
I hope all of you have a terrific Memorial Day and enjoy time spent with loved ones, reminiscing those that have fallen. There has been so much military action over the last couple of decades that it is unthinkable that anyone of my friends or colleagues is without some connection to the military.
I truly wish those that are hurt, heal quickly. Those that have died are remembered for their sacrifices. I would also recommend remembering the family these heroes left behind. They have born a great deal of sacrifice as well.
I would also like to thank our first responders. They make sacrifices every day to make our lives better. Whether you are a member of the firefighters, the police, or the many who have answered the call in the numerous medical fields, you too, make daily sacrifices to make our society safer.
You will always be remembered.
Until next time…
Dave
29 Monday May 2017
Posted in Memorial Day
Today is a special day for many who have lost loved ones who have served our country. In addition to the many military members, past, present, and future, the definition of conflict has changed dramatically in the 21st century. Now, in addition to our military, we must also celebrate those first responders and everyday citizens that responded when called upon at the moment.
Our world is no longer as safe as it was. All societies are now exposed to a different kind of evil and cowardice–an evil that plants a bomb at a concert, flies a plane into a building, or drives a truck into a crowd of shoppers. This ideology is not about pluralism, but more about “it’s our way or the highway”, which is demonstrated by heinous acts across the globe. This evil is not limited to one race, one ethnicity, or one country. It is a new paradigm that allows a few to terrorize the majority of people who only want peace and security for their families, friends, and loved ones.
Take a few moments today to honor the first responders and military across the planet for the sacrifices they have made for their countries, the growing number of victims to terror, and the many peoples who have been the victim of a natural disaster. Each of you has made a difference in another person’s life.
As an Army veteran of 21 years, I salute all of my brothers and sisters who have served, are serving, or will serve in the Armed Forces of the United States. Your sacrifices will be remembered forever.
Dave Gardner
SFC, Army Retired
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