"Our way of telling the world how much we care and love our service people. When watching this, we hope that you and others who you share this with, will take a moment to say a prayer for those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, and for those who are still in harms way."
(Peace, Gary Gersin, Cleveland & Mike Beloud, Los Angeles, CA)
"I would like to thank all that are serving this great country of ours and thank all of you that have made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America, It's People and Our Freedom."
(Q Iraq War Heroes)
"TAPS"
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing, Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellisombe heard the moans of a soldier who was severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward the encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was denied since the soldier was a Confederate. However, out of respect for the father, they allowed him one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, which we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes...
From the hills...
From the sky...
All is well,
Safely rest.
God is nigh.
|
Fading light
Dims the sight
And a star...
Gems the sky,
Gleaning bright...
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
|
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
|
~ May You Never Walk Alone ~
Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, USA
A Tragic Accident
23 March 1994
It was during what was supposed to be a routine operation for a parachute jump at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina when the tragedy happened.
There were approximately three hundred soldiers on the Green Ramp, checking equipment and waiting for the C141 Starlifter to refuel so they could load up and conduct their parachute jump.
While these soldiers waited, a mid-air collision between a C-130 and a F-16 occurred overhead. The collision caused debris to fall on the ramp below injuring over 200 soldiers that day.
Many of these soldiers were taken to the Burn Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
B Company, 2/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
82nd Airborne Division
United States Army
SSG Mark G. Gibson
14 Dec 64 - 23 Mar 94
SFC Musgraves met Mark Gibson in Anchorage, Alaska while serving together in the Army at Fort Richardson. They shared a unique bond and camaraderie with each other, since both loved to be part of the Infantry and both were Squad Leaders in the same rifle platoon. Additionally, they shared off duty experiences together that led Dennis to ask Mark to be part of his wedding party as a groom's man. I had the opportunity to personally meet Mark when I went to Anchorage and attended my son's wedding. I found Mark to be a rare individual with qualities far surpassing the average person. He was kind, considerate, and appeared to be quite concerned in my behalf. I will never forget his kindness to me. Not long after my son's wedding, Mark also married. Mark and Dennis' lives continued to parallel. They both attained promotion to Staff Sergeant within one month of each other. Their rifle squads had a healthy, competitive edge, each always trying to out due the other. They went on deployments together and shared hardships and pleasures in and out of the field and both of them enjoyed parachuting. Shortly after Dennis was assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Mark was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Both kept in contact with each other via telephone, but regrettably neither had face to face contact even through they were less than 3 hours apart, until the phone call came that fateful night in March, when his wife called Dennis with the news of Mark. SSG Gibson was one of twenty-three soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life.
Houston Police Officers Memorial
Houston, Texas
The Citizens of Houston Entirely Through Private Donations Express Here Forever
Their Heartfelt Gratitude
To These Police Officers Killed In The Line of Duty
and for Those Lives at Risk Daily
- Past, Present, and Future -
For the Protection of Our Safety and Peace.
Dedicated November 17, 1992
Each year an annual procession for the Houston Police Officer's Memorial is held typically in the month of May.
This procession is for the Survivors of the Fallen Heroes and usually begins at the Sawyer Street overpass on Memorial Parkway and concludes at the Houston Police Officer's Memorial Park.
A large tent is provided for the Memorial Services.
Survivors may meet at the Police Officer's Building located at 1602 State Street, Houston, TX before the procession begins.
For more information, contact Police Honor Guard, Sgt. Bruce Johnson at 713-247-5826.
This memorial park is completely accessible with a paved walkway.
At least one Police Officer is on duty 24 hours a day at the park.
Many people will walk in and out of your life,
But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head
To handle others, use your heart.
Anger is only one letter short of danger.
Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.
God gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into the nest.
He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses more;
But, he who loses faith, loses all.
(From Robert E. Knighton, Houston, Texas)
Arlington National Cemetery and The Kennedy Grave Sites
Early in the morning a group of members from Wheel Me On... Went by caravan to the Arlington National Cemetery.
I was pleased to find easy, quick, accessible parking as my anxiety began to mount with memories of the past.
Fortunately, with the huge amount of people visiting at the same time, I soon began worrying about the people I was responsible for and asked Heather McMillen to go with me to locate a Guide that would accompany us to the sites.
This decision was probably one of the smartest made during our tour.
Not only did we find the people in the head quartering office kind and considerate, but additionally found them to be concerned in our behalf, so much so that in fact, they provided us with a personal guide who led us up the road and shared an abundance of information.
The guide shared stories about seeing John F. Kennedy, Jr. unexpectedly arriving to visit the grave sites of his parents and family, and recalled seeing him solemnly walking the long road to the top of the hill.
I found it sad that John Junior was not buried next to his family.
Once arriving at the site, I was surprised to see the changes that had been made since my last visit during the Inauguration of President Reagan.
Though the Eternal Flame still burned for one of our most famous Presidents of the United States, the once green hill was now covered with flag stones and an enclosed walkway for visitors.
My memory took me back to my first visit as I recalled standing immediately in front of the original Eternal Flame alongside the roadway in the snow.
For me, this was an emotional and dramatic change.
The Tomb of The Unknown Soldiers (The Changing of The Guard)
At one time there were three unknown soldiers buried at the tomb, but now there is only one.
With advanced technology, the determination of loved ones, and the approval of the Department of Defense, two soldiers were identified.
The soldiers identified were provided with a proper burial elsewhere.
Visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watching the Changing of the Guard is a dramatic display of respect that demands reverence from all.
It is a humbling experience to watch the precise movements, hear the clicking of their shoes, and observe the solemnity of the occasion.
The Changing of the Guard takes place every half hour and should not be missed when visiting our National Cemetery.
A Test on Americans ~ Something to Think About
On 18 February 2001, while racing for fame and fortune, Dale Earnhardt died in the last lap of the Daytona 500. It was surely a tragedy for his family, friends, and fans. He was 49 years old with grown children, one, which was in the race. I am new to the NASCAR culture so much of what
I know has come from the newspaper and TV. He was a winner and earned everything he had. This included more than "$41 million in winnings and ten times that from endorsements and souvenir sales". He had a beautiful home and a private jet. He drove the most sophisticated cars allowed and every part was inspected and replaced as soon as there was any evidence of wear. This is normally fully funded by the car and team sponsors. For days, television stations constantly reminded us of his tragic end, and the radio had a song of tribute to this winning driver.
Nothing should be taken away from this man; he was a professional and the best in his profession. He was in a very dangerous business but the rewards were great.
A few weeks ago seven U.S. Army soldiers died in a training accident when two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters collided during night maneuvers in Hawaii. The soldiers were all in their twenties, pilots, crew chiefs and infantrymen. Most of them lived in sub-standard housing. If you add their actual duty hours, (in the field, deployed) they probably earn something close to minimum wage. The aircraft they were in were between 15 and 20 years old. Many times parts were not available to keep them in good shape due to funding. They were involved in the extremely dangerous business of flying in the Kuhuku mountains at night. It only gets worse when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times no one is there with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it gets critical. Their children where mostly toddlers who will lose all memory of who "Daddy" was as they grow up. They died training to defend our freedom.
Taking nothing away from Dale Earnhardt, but asking you to perform this simple test: Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR driver killed on 18 February 2001. Then ask them if they can name one of the seven soldiers who died in Hawaii close to the same time.
On 18 February 2001, Dale Earnhardt died driving for fame and glory at the Daytona 500. The nation mourns. Seven soldiers died training to protect our freedom. The odds are no one will remember their names.
Contributors:
James V. Torney
CW4, US Army, Retired
Matthew Mannion, TSgt. PaANG
Via Undisclosed Member
(From Member in Texas)
Military graphics (in part) on these pages courtesy of Chuck Stewart
GeckoCountry
