Memorial Day 2011 cometh this Monday. Thank you to all for serving.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that honors soldiers and is observed on the last Monday of May. It commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while serving our country.

In the last few years, it's clear that many peaceful nations have joined our brothers and sisters in the fight for freedom, so when I personally think of Memorial Day, I think of not only US soldiers, but ALL soldiers from friendly nations that have fallen in the battlefield.

As I begin my tribute, I'd like to thank all the current military & veterans I've met in DDO for serving our country, as well as educating me by actions alone on what it's like to be on that battlefield, to love thy country, and to be a hero. Tho I never served, I wish I had, and I must say I never learned as much about our country by sitting in ANY HISTORY CLASS, as I've learned playing side by side some of the fine military folks that currently play DDO.

Thank you to all in the US armed forces for keeping our wonderful land free for me and my family. I tip my cap to all those from other nations who fight for freedom in their own lands, whether they come from England, Italy, Egypt or anywhere else. Love a brother like your brother, and let their one day be peace on Earth.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpO_dRRxXeE
Few have written a poem, and recited a poem with more pride then one of our American icons, John Wayne. Tell 'em Duke.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pfBU...ayer_embedded#
Witness a beautiful tribute by a very patriotic & proud 3rd grade class.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoEXIrFBH20
I'll finish with a video that really blew me away. Sent to us this past Christmas by WPNS CO, 2nd Battalion 2nd Marines in Afghanistan, as a thank you for our guild's last Veteran's Day tribute, this one I'll never forget. How can one play a guitar and have fun, in the sands of chaos? Someone's got to stay level headed, thanks again boys!!

PLEASE, find and thank a soldier this week.

[Qindark]

Veterans and current military have their own day...On Monday, be thankful to the men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

http://www.redcross.org/

The American Red Cross and the US military do AMAZING work right within our borders. These pictures were just taken a day ago in Joplin, Missouri.




FEMA Director Craig Fugate (navy blue shirt) meets with the Greater Ozarks Red Cross leadership team at the Red Cross shelter at Missouri Southern State University.

----------------------------

There are so many brilliant organizations that have popped up in the last 10 years or so to help returning, injured soldiers and their families.

Here's one of my favorites:

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

[Bekki]

I would like to salute All of our Veterans past and present for everything
You have done, and still do on a daily basis to keep us free.

Here is another group who does great stuff, they get together every year
To help veteran who have served or country and are now homeless...

The Philadelphia Stand Down.
Here is a link to some excellent photos of their 2010 event.

http://www.patrickjhughes.org/Galler...eterans/08_SD/


It is a two to three day event which is done every year.
Every year The Stand helps between 250-350 Homeless and other special needs Veterans with
Food, clothing, temporary shelter, Legal and substance abuse help,
And even Job placement and sometimes help to get Veterans back on their feet.

"A hand up; not a hand out."

It has been my honor to personally be able to help out with this,
And I look forward to doing so again.

Thank you for ALL you do, and

SEMPER FI!!!

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Looking forward to seeing ya'll on Monday 9pm Eastern, at the Temple of the Sovereign Host. On G-land.

Feel free to roll a toon on Ghallanda and join us in thanking and honoring the men and women of the armed forces of the United States, and friends from many nations, who sacrificed their today, for our tomorrow.

[Bodic]

Veterans and current military have their own day...On Monday, be thankful to the men and women that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

I am going to correct you, and I am sorry.

It is the men and women of the Military(My brothers and Sisters) that have the have gifted their last full measure to provide you with your freedom.

It is their families that suffer the burden known as "The Ultimate Sacrifice" for they must continue on in life without their husband/wife, mother/father, brother/sister, son/daughter, or Friend.

Monday is not just a day to honor the fallen soliders or Military active to retired, but to give thanks to those that support us everyday.
Our families stand stronger than we ever could. They know that each day could bring tidings of Joy and Pain. Without those near and dear to us we could not do what it is we do. Our faith, devotion, resolve, and many other traits we carry are only there because of our families.

It was not until after my own father passed away that I heard how proud of me and my Career in Navy he was. This fact I should have know for the amount of wear my command ballcap I gave him had sustained. Hearing those words from another made my day as he had never once said them to me for he didnt think he needed to. Without my family holding me up from halfway across the world I dont think I could have survived.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

It is the men and women of the Military(My brothers and Sisters) that have the have gifted their last full measure to provide you with your freedom.

It is their families that suffer the burden known as "The Ultimate Sacrifice" for they must continue on in life without their husband/wife, mother/father, brother/sister, son/daughter, or Friend.

Monday is not just a day to honor the fallen soliders or Military active to retired, but to give thanks to those that support us everyday.
Our families stand stronger than we ever could. They know that each day could bring tidings of Joy and Pain. Without those near and dear to us we could not do what it is we do. Our faith, devotion, resolve, and many other traits we carry are only there because of our families.

It was not until after my own father passed away that I heard how proud of me and my Career in Navy he was. This fact I should have know for the amount of wear my command ballcap I gave him had sustained. Hearing those words from another made my day as he had never once said them to me for he didnt think he needed to. Without my family holding me up from halfway across the world I dont think I could have survived.

So well said. + 1 Million if I could. In fact, the tribute I have planned, gives light to the family unit behind the soldier. So little is said about the families, and so much needs to. I hope I'm able to make that point this Monday. I'll sure try.

[ariel7]

I'm a veteran and rarely feel anyone appreciates the military service of others.

I wholly support the wounded warrior project.

I wholly hate and do not support the red cross. I would suggest the USO as a much, much more appropriate organization to support with regards to the military. Another fine way to support the military could be something we do in San Diego. A group of people mow lawns, help with stuff like that of deployed servicemen and women.

Thanks for the great post.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

I'm a veteran and rarely feel anyone appreciates the military service of others.

I wholly support the wounded warrior project.

I wholly hate and do not support the red cross.

Ya know Ariel, my father, who served 13 years in the US Navy, used to say the exact same thing.

I've done a write up about the USO. Let me locate and post it here.

If you have other legitimate agencies or support groups of any kind, please let us know them.

This Monday I promise you, the DDO community will be showing their appreciation.

Thank you so much for your service to this nation, and the world. and of course for the kind words. Will we see you this Monday?

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Bob Hope (60+ YEARS of entertaining troops oversees, his calm, sly grin and ability to make generations laugh. Thanks, Bob, for the memories.)

He never served, but has put his life on the line over more YEARS then maybe anyone man or woman in history. He also brought more soldiers more laughs than any man or woman in history: From this picture, taken during WORLD WAR II, he served the USO until his 100th birthday.



Yes, The Man, is 100 years old here, putting on his last show in Iraq:




The Mission: The USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families.

Millions of times each year at thousands of locations around the world, the USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families. A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. The USO is not part of the U.S. government, but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.

[ariel7]

Thank you so much for your service to this nation, and the world. and of course for the kind words. Will we see you this Monday?

No, sadly not. I'll be at work, hosting a veterans appreciation dinner. Almost all men in my family traditionally serve in the military. We have two servicewomen in the family. My grandfather's brother was a POW in WWII and while we've had few members of the family not return home we currently have seven serving, including my little brother on his way for his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Worst part of being married is while my family is almost universally Army, my wife's is Navy. And those **** Midshipmen keep winning the football game

[ariel7]

And let me thank you for the post and mentioning the USO. They've helped countless servicemen and women and their families.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Worst part of being married is while my family is almost universally Army, my wife's is Navy. And those **** Midshipmen keep winning the football game

ROTFLMAO!! Yea those Navy are not only hell on the riptide, but hell on the endline!

And let me thank you for the post and mentioning the USO. They've helped countless servicemen and women and their families.

As for the USO mention, you got it! I'll never forget all those Bob Hope shows, he'd really crack me up. I'm sure if you go to Hope's grave, if you listen really closely, you'd here a joke howlin' in the wind, followed by a lot of cackles .

[Bekki]

Thank you again for a great service LeslieWest_Guitargod

Sorry I was not able to make it this year.

Was spending time with the family.
Truth is...
This year was tough for me.
I just lost my dad (20 years Army)
first Memorial day without him. So this one was a little tough.

Thank you for everything you do to support the troops, and their families.
It means so very very much.

I salute you.

SEMPER FI!

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Was spending time with the family.
Truth is...
This year was tough for me.
I just lost my dad (20 years Army)
first Memorial day without him. So this one was a little tough.

Oh Im really sorry to hear that Bekki. I know just how hard it is. Its been 11 years for me, and it still hurts.

The greatest gift I ever had
Came from God; I called him Dad!
~Author Unknown

/love & respect brother