Thousands of Americans are out this weekend having BBQs, lounging in hammocks and enjoying a weekend that, to many, marks the official start of summer. During our celebrations we should pause in remembrance of the true the meaning of this weekend - the memories of our veterans and fallen soldiers. Let us never forget the harsh realities so many men and women have faced. Let us not forget the sacrifices they made in the name of freedom.

The History Channel's website has a brief history of Memorial Day here: The History of Memorial Day. There is also a website established and maintained by the National Archives for first hand accounts of veterans. That is located here: NARA: Veterans Stories, A-Z Index. There are some fantastic and moving accounts at the NARA site. It's worth your time to peruse them.

My personal thanks to all the enlisted and veteran members of the armed forces at America's Debate. Thank you DTOM, crazyinbama, Azure-Citizen, Aquilla, Jaqwease, Mustang, Lone Wolf, Loreng59, overlandsailor, Titus - and anyone else I may be forgetting . Thank you to my grandfathers, both vets of WWII, and my grandmother, a 'Rosie the Riveter' in the 40's and VA volunteer in her later years; thanks to my great-grandfather, an Italian soldier in WWI, and my great-great-great (I think it's three greats) uncle, an officer in the Civil War. America wouldn't be the same without the brave efforts of those serving and America is better off for having had them as a citizens.

Please feel free to thank a vet or honor their memories here.

Its not Memorial Day in Denmark, but as the anniversary of D Day approaches, I'd like to express my gratitude to all those who fought for the liberation of Europe and the world, from both sides of the Atlantic.

To my Great Uncle Beresford who died over the Atlantic and to my Grandfather who fought in the Blitz, and later in Asia. To my Father who taught me why it is important to defend ones nation.

And to Field Marshall Montgomery who liberated Denmark which otherwise would have become a Soviet satelite.

Finally, I'd like to express my admiration and support to all the Danes currently serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and Eastern Europe as well as all the soldiers and support personal who are serving all over the globe in the cause of freedom and democracy.

I would like to offer my humble thanks for all the people that have fought in the previous wars and the ones currently enlisted in the military. Without these caring souls, where would our country be.

I remember watching "Private Ryan" and some other WWII movies, and I thought to myself, would I have the courage that these men had. When they landed on the different beaches in WWII, it was the same thing as a shooting range. There was so much bloodshed and carnage. I deeply admire those that withstood these conditions to defeat evil.

Yes,I was enlisted in the Air Force for 4 years in the 1960s, but I never had to go thru hardships as difficult as those.

Thanks again to my heroes of this world.

I wish to thank my dad, a soldier in the Canadian army (he enlisted in Canada because the U.S. hadn't entered the war yet), who served in Scotland to protect Great Britain from a threatened German invasion. They didn't have enough bullets, so the bullets were rationed. Thank God the Germans didn't choose to invade, for although the British and Canadians were steadfast, determined fighters, the outcome would have been bloody and uncertain.

Dad's been gone since 1983, and I'm grateful that he imparted to me the recollections he did so that the heroic deeds of that generation will live on.

My grandfather served in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American war in the Philippines. My brother has his diary and his rifle. Grandpa died when I was 10, the same year as JFK, and we didn't hear his stories of that long-ago war. I'm glad he left something behind so that we could appreciate his contribution as well.

We don't have "Memorial Day" in France; we celebrate "Victory Day" on the 8th of May in remembrance of the end of hostilities on May the 8th, 1945.

My family was really concerned by war. One of my grandfathers was in the cavalry. He actually fought on his horse against the Germans. He was captured and made prisoner of war. He tried to escape twice and was captured again and beaten to death for it. Eventually, he came back from Germany.

My other grandfather fought as a member of the French Resistance. He was captured when his network was handed to the Germans by a double agent. as a punishment for his acts of sabotage, he was deported to a concentration camp in Dachau. He escaped... and came back alive too.

Today, I remember and I am thankful to them for their sacrifice.

And to all who died here, I like to think that they didn't died in vain.

I would like to personally thank all of those who have chosen to serve this country. Although young people may join for many different reasons and from many different places, I believe the bond that develops between brothers-at-arms is one of the deepest outside of family.

For those that have given the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country, I salute you and thank you for your service.

Although this thread is a mite early, we should always keep in mind what these brave soldiers fight for and die for. It is not tyranny or oppression but rather freedom. Too many people forget that even now our soldiers are fighting, first and foremost, for the freedom of others. A selfless task, if there ever was one.

I wish I could be deserving of such gratitude. Although my passion for my country and the armed forces (particularly the Army) is rather large, I must redirect such honor and gratitude to those who deserve it. Those who have served and those who are serving their country. I'd like to run off some names in particular, hopefully, they'll (the one that are here with us) get the link in an email and see what I've said. As for the other's, I'm sure they have T-3 connections in heaven.

(Bear with me, it might be long)

My Grandmother's Cousin (mother's side) (unk) - A member of the Wehrmacht in WWII in Germany. Fought against the Russians on the Eastern Front and went missing in action.

My Great-Grandfather, Robert Bloch (mother's side) - A member of the German Kriegsmarine (Navy). Toured such places as China (the German colony of Tsingtao), a WWII Veteran.

My Grandfather, David Reta (mother's side) - A Staff Sergeant in the United States Army, combat support, A Vietnam Veteran.

My Grandfather, William Brady (step-father's side) - An aircraft mechanic in the United States Navy, saw action in the Pacific in the Philippines during WWII.

My Great-Grandfather, Maurice 'Doc' Brady (step-father's side) Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, WWI Veteran.

My Neighbor, John Benson - Ordinance Maitenance, Force Logistics Command, 3rd Marine, United States Marine Corps. In Chu Lai, Vietnam June 1965-June 1966.

My good friend, Spc. Crystal Rae Strait, Intelligence Analyst, HHC, V Corps. Saw action in Iraq this last year and a half. (Welcome Back!)

My good friend, Seaman David Schoultz, Telecommunications Tech, FITCPAC, San Diego (Dirt Sailor!)

My good friend, PFC Dustin Duffy, PATRIOT, HHB 1-7 ADA 108th, Ft. Bliss Texas (along with his new wife Lydia)

My good friend, Victor Rivera-Camarena, Generator Mechanic in the Army Reserve (can't remember the unit, but it's in San Bernardino, California, Sorry, Vic!)

My good friend Alex Quadrelli's father, Roberto Quadrelli - Trieste Armored Brigade, M-47 Tank Driver 1970-71

My good friend, Sean Landgraft's Great-Grandfather, A Panzer Commander in the German Wehrmacht

That crazy guy, Johnny Dao, airman, United States Airforce

To All the fine 'privates', Cadre (DS's Brock, Weathersby, Carrion, Eremus, et al) and the CO's of Delta Company 309th Millitary Intelligencr Battalion, Ft. Huachuca, Arizona and Foxtrot Company 3-13th Infantry Battalion, Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. (especially DS Rodrigues, who was not my DS but one of the most hardcore soldiers that ever walked! A Green Beret with a HALO badge, Purple Heart, Airborne Wings, Expert Infantry Badge, numerous other medals and citations, Combat Patch with the 82nd Airborne, attached (I believed) with the 101st Air Assault. He was 5'6", but he could whoop anyone's butt.!)

Also, the members of this fourm that Jaime mentioned, crazyinbama, Azure-Citizen, Aquilla, Jaqwease, Mustang, Lone Wolf, Loreng59, overlandsailor... and in particular two folks... Mrs. Pigpen, for giving nothing but all her love and support to her husband who braves the dangerous skies of the world to help keep Americans safe. There are times when it must be hard for you, and I think you, as should all wives and husbands of those in service should recieve recognition as well.

Also Donttreadonme. I have to say that anyone who has earned the title 'Airborne Ranger', without any second thoughts, has my deepest respect. If I need help remembering anything about the Army, he's one of the few I look to. Rangers Lead The Way!

Finally, to anyone and everyone who has served their country throughout the years. From the Philadelphia to the Philippines. From Berlin to Baghdad. I'd like to say that anyone who answers the call of their nation, all politics and rhetoric aside, has my respect. The ideal of 'Selfless Service' is one that is rarely ever given to at birth and takes work to develop. Again, you have my respect. And to those in particular who have served and those that do now, you have my gratitude. This is a dangerous time we live and and you folks said '...and, so what!...'. Again, thank you for keeping this country safe.

A hats off to all those who have served, no matter for who, and a sincerest thank you to those who I've listed and those I did not that have and are serving this great nation.

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I'd like to echo Moif's remembrance of World War Two veterans as the D-Day 60th anniversary approaches.

I think that, too often, we forget that even as France was liberated, victory was not certain, let alone inevitable. 21st century hindsight is often too linear to appreciate just how much luck played a part, and so how the efforts of the men on the ground, at sea and in the air were the ONLY thing that made the difference.

We didn't win because we were on the side of the angels (though I firmly believe that we were in that conflict). We won only because of the courage, dedication and intelligence of the men and women who fought and died so that we might not fall under the shadow of fascism.

Our hindsight remembers Omaha beach, for good reasons (it was the most heavily defended), but we should not forget, Juno, Sword, Gold, and the rest of the fighting men who made our current world possible. Many Americans (but also Canadians, Indians, Australians, British, French, Russians, Poles, and many other nations and creeds) died to keep the free world that way. So, thanks...

Fitly spoken, Julian.

On this special day I would like to pay a special remembrance to
my grandfather and great uncle. They both fought in WW2, and
have since passed on.

And, there is a very special man named Harry. He is also my great-uncle,
and he is still alive, living in S.D. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge.
His heroic actions earned him the Purple Heart.
But, what is more, he is the kindest, most honorable man I've ever known
(besides my grandfather). There are few men of his caliber in this world of ours.

To all the brave soldiers of past and present. God bless you all.

My grandfather was in the Pacific in WWII, and he got a purple heart. (passed on)
And to my uncle in the National Guard, thanks!

To all shoulders carrying the banner of freedom, fight the good fight.

We must not forget, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

I took the opportunity to spend the day visiting The San Francisco National Cemetary to visit some of the graves and watch the memorial day speeches and 21 gun salute. I also took the opportunity to take my grandfather's sabre from World War II out and polish it up, I haven't done that since I last used it in college and it was high time for it.

I shot a few pictures I felt were appropriate to share in this topic in rememberance of those that bought our freedom. You can view the larger images on my website if you feel so inclined.







I choose to remember all of those soldiers that are unaccounted for, but we are sure of their fate.

I was pleased to find an e-mail from my son in Kuwait over the weekend. He is doing fine, says the temperature goes up to 112 degrees Fahrenheit and that he's got the best tan he's had in his whole life.

It is right to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the country and people that they love. It is also right to honor those who are currently serving in whatever war, regardless of who the yahoo in the White House is at the time.

So, thank you to all of you who serve and have served in the military, regardless of the conflict or lack thereof. Like Ivory soap, you're 99 and 44/100% pure, and that's better than the general population.

Please accept my respect and my thanks.

As has already been pointed out, memorial day is not celebrated in my country. But (again as has already been pointed out!) the D-Day anniversary is almost upon us. This is getting a lot of coverage on our media, from interviews with people who were there to arcaheological digs on the beaches of Normandy.

I do not know anyone who fought in Operation Overlord. My grandfather on my fathers side fought in the Spanish Civil War but not WW2, and my grandfather on my mothers side was a chief engineer at a local factory where tanks and boilers were manufactured for the war effort. My grandmother on my mothers side was also involved; an inspector working for the RAF, who worked closely with Hurricane wings as far as I can remember

Sadly, by grandfather passed away last year after he was suddenly hit with cancer, and my grandmother died just a couple of months ago for similar reasons. Although both were working at home, in a region of Scotland rarely under attack from the Luftwaffe, I would like to pay tribute to them both. Them and thousands like them helped secure European freedom with their industrial effort, an effort that both remembered well until their dying days. I feel grateful to have been born a grandson to the WW2 generation. This was the last great war, certainly for my country, and it is amazing to think that the actions of those elderly people you see queueing for their pension have secured the free society we enjoy today. I cannot imagine how I would cope if something similar was to happen again. To be honest, I don't think I could.