I have been out all day celebrating this memorial day as I do every year.. This one has special meaning for me since I have 2 of my own sons in this war. It is no longer me, my father, or Grandfather. It is my sons, and maybe your son or daughter.
Memorial Day 2006 is far from being historical. It is current, and you don't have to look any further than the daily news report to see how much so. Today it's highly likely that a mother will lose her son and another memorial will be necessary. And so while we honor those men and women who have died for our country in past years, foremost in our minds today should be the young men and women - our neighbors, friends and co-workers - who went off to the
war in Iraq and returned in a body bag.
The United States has lost more than 2,400 troops since it went to war in Iraq in March 2003 With some 11,000 wounded.
http://news.enquirer.com/...
Memorial Day provides us an opportunity to remember and honor those brave Americans who risked their lives in defense of our great nation and its principles. In light of the fact that many soldiers are being injured and surviving wounds that in the past they would have died from. I was pretty happy to hear there is a museum under construction to record all those wounded in action. The National Purple Heart Hall Of Honor.
http://www.state.ny.us/...
There is an effort underway to keep a record of all those injured in battle and record their stories. If you are one or know of someone please get their story recorded. This link contains what I believe is a toll free number to call.
http://www.military.com/...
Some of you may already know but I found the History behind The Purple Heart rather interesting too. I didn't know it was initiated first by George Washington and the first ones given out in 1783.
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/...
We didn't ask for or advocate this war in Iraq but it is important at least to me that we remember those that are in this and are fighting and maybe getting wounded and dying.
James Joiner
Gardner, Ma
www.anaveragepatriot.com