As we approach Memorial Day ...

[Peter Grossetti]

... I feel that is important to remind folks that Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day.

... or ...

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As a Veteran (US Coast Guard 1979-1988) I urge all to take a few minutes from all the celebratory hoopla to humbly and respectfully remember and honor on Memorial Day those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation. They helped provide the freedoms (a term not to be taken lightly) you and I enjoy.

And while I certainly cannot and do not speak for all who have worn the uniform, I think most of the rest of us mere Vets enjoy the satisfaction of being alive on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

[Ryan Salo]

Peter,

Thank you for posting this, it is a very powerful picture. More importantly, thank you for serving, I truly appreciate your service.

[Peter Grossetti]

Peter,

Thank you for posting this, it is a very powerful picture. More importantly, thank you for serving, I truly appreciate your service.

Ryan - thank me on November 11.

[Tim Carroll]

Peter,

Thank you for posting this, it is a very powerful picture. More importantly, thank you for serving, I truly appreciate your service.

Ryan - thank me on November 11.

In light of Mr. Grossetti's branch of Service, here are two names you can think about Monday:

Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Chism and Seaman Chris Ferreby - USCG Station Niagara, Youngstown, NY (Lake Ontario) 24 March 2001

or my High School Buddy -- Michael J. Browne, Maj. USMC 23 May 1997

Those are some of the people I think of on Memorial Day and a lot of other days as well.

[Bill Call]

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.



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[Tim Liston]

Not that anybody who served in Vietnam was remotely “lucky,” but my cousin Ted certainly was not. He fought for barely more than a month, and on May 8, 1969 his body was severely carved up, after which he was brought home. Ted was 20 years old when he was killed….

My God he’s really still a boy!


Although Ted was a few years older than me, we did knock around together as we grew up. Our families were close, as our homes were side-by-side out on the other side of Vermilion. We did a lot together but the biggest thing I remember was catching snakes in the ravine behind his grandma’s house in Berlin Heights. We’d gather up literally a couple dozen snakes in a big bucket, bring them home and show them off. Mostly garter snakes but occasionally a “trophy” snake like a king snake. Then turn them all loose in a nearby creek. Ted is buried in Berlin Heights. I just got back from there.

Ted, circa 1958, age nine….


That’s Ted and me wrestling. He was a very good athlete but obviously I got the better of him


If you’ve never witnessed a military funeral, the 21-gun salute, the flag removed from the casket then smartly folded and handed to a weeping mom, and of course taps, I can tell you it just breaks your heart. Ted was his parents’ only son. His family was never EVER the same….

I could say something to the effect that I will never understand why we continue to go to war, but I think I understand why. I just don’t agree with the reasons….

Happy Memorial Day all.

[Jim O'Bryan]

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