Please read, sorry this is late.

[jimbo-san]

I just wanted to let every one know that even though, I guess, by now the Memorial Day weekend is over, I hope every one takes at least a couple of minutes to think about what its all about.

I've been thinking a lot about it lately, and its holidays like this that American's take the most advantage of, which I've been guilty of this myself in the past. Its a great excuse to get off work, its a great excuse to get drunk, but its also a great chance to spend some time reflecting on the sacrifices that people have made to get us to where we are.

I'm a active duty Marine Sergeant (for those of you who don't know) at sea, currently, on the USS ____________, and we're sitting in the ____________ Ocean, where we've been for the last couple of weeks. We're not allowed to say where we are (not some special ops mission by any means, just standard operating procedure). I haven't touched land in 29 days (and counting) now (thats why this is late, the days kind of mold together out here, and I didn't really realize when it was)

I'm not saying I want any one to do anything for me, thats not why I'm posting this, I just want to urge people to take a couple minutes, and go out of their way to let some one know that you're thinking about them. If you went to high school with some body who's in the military deployed, or if its your neighbors cousin, take the time to find out how to get in touch with them, and let them know that you're thankful for what they do.

It doesn't matter how you feel about the war and the government. If you're not, in fact, thankful for the sacrifices these kids are willing to make (with the same mentality that has been carried through hundreds of years of our history), I hope you went to work all weekend.

I would also urge every one who spent any more then a dime more then usual because of this holiday weekend to check out www.americasupportsyou.mil and find an organization to throw a couple dollars at. If every one on this board gave up five bucks (the same amount as it would cost to buy a servicemember a beer), you could make a lot of lonely guys or girls feel better about being where they are.

I can tell you from experience right now, that it doesn't take much to make some one feel awesome. Being in a place where normal time doesn't exist, every hour is just an hour closer to sleeping, and every night is just one night less until you go home, you can get kind of stir crazy.

This is a plea to all of you to please just the time to reach out to the kind of spirit that this holiday was made to commemorate.

Thank you.

[little_nasty]

thanks for this.  I was listening to a good piece on the radio about the history of Memorial Day and how we honor our fallen.  A lot to think about (link below)  Thanks for posting and the link!


Origins of Memorial Day; Honoring Our Fallen Soldiers (12:00P)
Memorial Day began after the Civil War, which killed 600,000 Americans, North and South. But the first day of remembrance wasn't really about them.  It was started by southern women, mourning what they called the Lost Cause: the Confederacy. When the northern states got into the act, it was all about commemorating the soldiers who died for the Union. We bring the history up to the present holiday—which is also about barbeques, three-day weekends and the beginning of summer. Does America do a good job of remembering war dead? What about grieving families and living veterans?

Guests:
Caroline Janney: Professor of History, Purdue University
Jim Sheeler: Reporter, Rocky Mountain News
Michael Sledge: freelance writer
Nadia McCaffrey: Gold Star Mother
Alex Horton: Senior Advisor, VoteVets.org

http://www.kcrw.com/news/programs/tp/tp080526memorial_day_the_pas
http://download.kcrw.com/audio/13314/tp_2008-05-26-155131.mp3

[Tom!]

Good post. 
Raise one for those that didnt make it home.

[ez_ed]

All gave some. Some gave all.

Respect due and given.

[SeaCliff]

Tacked.

Thanks for the very real world and personal reminder, Jimbo - be safe, and our deepest thanks to you and all who serve and have served, those who have been hurt, and those who have perished.

[onefinookas]

a couple of days late but certainly brings it home to the surfing community
much respect and appreciation to our guys in green regardless of what you feel about current political situations
Aloha and thanks

[Justin-PI]

Sorry for the belated props but thanks to each and everyone who's served, esp those on this board and their families (Jimbo, Choc Hostage, B Berrys dad...). We may not always agree on everything/anything, but hats off to anyone who puts their money where their mouth is and serves/d as a Soldier, Sailor, Airman/woman, Marine, Coastguardsmen/women.

I can't thank you guys and gals enough. Muy bien hecho!

[Tom!]

a couple of days late but certainly brings it home to the surfing community
much respect and appreciation to our guys in green regardless of what you feel about current political situations
Aloha and thanks

interesting vid.  is there more to it?

[jimbo-san]

36 days now, and no end in immediate sight.

Damn.

[SeaCliff]

Stay strong, Jimbo....you and everyone are in our thoughts and prayers...

[waterwolfnyc]

well said, and there's always the war at home

[dorado]

As a Former Sergeant in the USMC , myself , and having been on a 6 month plus "pump" , I empathize with you. On any given operation , whether it be training or otherwise I always had special days of good swell shared with friends in my mind to get me through. While the war has become vastly unpopular among the masses and " fashinable " to some to bash , the troops are what really count.
I was recently speaking with my mohter and what she thought of the war and she is a registered Democratic and not exactly a liberal nor a conservative and she said " Chris we can not jsut quit this war out of respect for all the men and women whi have given up there lives , or come home wounded " that really put it into perspective.

A local *far western LI*  guy by the way Flip Mullin is instrumental in Wounded Warriors Fund , I would highly recomend donating to them .

Semper Fi Brother
Godspeed , stay safe , and safe Home

judging from my mother although there are a lot of people out there confused I can tell you that the majority of the country supports you and what YOU and the Troops are doing and sacrificing for US

[LotusB]

4,090 dead as of today.

[Psycho]

Yeah I think many people misunderstand the reasons people do not support the war & to ask how someone can support the troops & not the war is not that complex but easy to brush off. I know Jimbo, I saw weho he was before this post & when he was stationed in HI. He is your all American guy, good person, loves a party, probably give ya the shirt off his back. (I owe him some rad indian food when he gets back to NYC) But the most important thing about the war isnt the fact we believe or disbelieve the people who put us there but the people who are there and their physical and mental health. Sure we all want them back here and for different reasons but this thread isnt the place for that debate.

Jimbro! come home safe but till you do this ones for you!

[ez_ed]

4,090 dead as of today.

Start a new thread. This one is about giving thoughts and prayers to those in uniform
overseas. Good stuff, Psycho.