Henry Rifle Forums

Whatever you do this coming Monday, consider for a moment what is the tremendous cost of our Freedom.
PT7

Salute

"Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours."
- by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow -

Memorial Day Illustration (Original artwork by Ralph Solonitz)
http://www.usmemorialday.org/images/mem ... ycolor.gif

An Old Veteran's Memories...
https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2018/05/2 ... rl-harbor/

Many thanks to all the veterans here, and prayers for those that did not make it back...................

Many thanks to the vets here and to all of those who served. In my opinion they dont get enough support. Coming home and having to fight to get care they deserve after being in a war zone is not what I call support.

Having served in the USAF is what has given me the, may I say, more "passion" to honor those who have served -- even if only through a few words on our Henry Forum. I post these "Salutes" on our Forum for two reasons. One reason is to allow us to express appreciation to our members, who are veterans or currently serving. Second is to celebrate, to honor those who have fallen in battle while serving and protecting our country. This second focus is what we do today.

We often see "vista" pictures of the numerous grave sites at Arlington. I've read that Arlington has more than 230,000 sites. My wife is buried at our nearby Leavenworth National Cemetery, which I've learned now has over 36,000 veterans there. The Leavenworth "vista" is similar to Arlington --- immaculately kept grounds, rolling hills spotted with beautiful mature trees, and everywhere there are the perfectly aligned white stones. Oh yes, "Old Glory" is also strongly present at Leavenworth. And these "vistas" are throughout our United States, in the other 140 or so VA cemeteries.

Here is one final video for this year's Salute. It provides us with a minimal view of the large numbers of vets, who have served our country. Toward the very end, you'll again hear TAPS as it will echo throughout America today. Only 24 notes played to remember so very many....
PT7

"Flags in 2018"
https://youtu.be/GbG5dLDl8Ts

I turn 18 in February 1972. At 9:00 am I was at the Rockville, Maryland post office to register for the draft. Of course the Vietnam war was winding down and the government would not take me as I was born with a club left foot. Dad made sure that we grew up respecting our military. We visited Aberdeen Proving Grounds and visited many naval ships from diesel submarines to Mine Sweepers, Destroyers , and Flat Tops. I never had the chance to serve, but I will ever be grateful to those that came before me to secure and defend the country I love .

In my years since, I have had the blessings of a wonderful wife and three children (all grown). Time marches on , but the thankfulness in my heart will ever be with those who gave their lives for this freedom that I enjoy now. They sacrificed their futures to make sure that I and my family had a future of freedom.

So today, as a Pastor, my prayers of thankfulness will be sent heavenward to my God and Saviour who blessed us with these brave men and women and secure this blessed life.

Thank you all.