POW/MIA Remembrance Day 2011

[Bekki]

POW/MIA Day: 2011

So Here I am yet again... Today in your travels I would humbly ask that
you pause to take a moment and observe a moment of silence to honor
those brave Men and women of ALL countries, who so selflessly answered
their respective nations call to arms...

And never made it home.

The POW's And MIA's

Yes, this is an American holiday, but it is something that haunts all
nations the true pain of the POW/MIA is borne by their loved ones, the
Mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters... Grandfathers, Grandmothers,
sons, daughters, Grandchildren... When A POW/MIA does not make the
journey home; the ones who wait by the phone... watch the door and Ask
themselves the truly painful question... is today the day...? The day
when we will finally know the answer... to the burning question about
their loved one...

For the Families of the POW/MIA there is a lack of closure... A hole in
their heart, which cannot be truly filled, because of a nagging question
which may never be answered...

What if?

What if... He/she is still alive?
What if... they are they in pain, alone, scared, hurt?
What if... they are they lost, or truly gone, and we just don't know it.
What if... today is they day when they are found...
What if... today is the Day we finally know.

What if?

Imagine if you will having to live with that question everyday of your
life...
The Families of the POW/MIA do not have to ask... They know.

We the veterans take this day to honor our fallen Comrades, and pay
respect to their families, who must live with this enduring pain, and
loss... And wait... Wait for the one day when the question may finally
be answered and they and their loved one may finally be at peace.

So I humbly Ask that at 10:00 Am today you please pause for a Moment of
silence to honor the POW's and MIA's of All our respective nations that
may still be trying to make that final journey home...

Thank you.

Bekki.

[cdbd3rd]

Was pondering that on my calendar today as well.

Rather ironic that this year it falls on the day the Draft went live*.

edit:
*( The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, also known as the Burke-Wadsworth Act, 54 Stat. 885 )
.... 232-124 in the House, with 186 Democrats and 46 Republicans in favor, 32 Democrats, 88 Republicans, and 4 others against. 47-25 in the Senate, with 40 Democrats and 7 Republicans in favor, 13 Democrats, 10 Republicans, and 2 others against. "Final Roll-Calls on Draft Bill", The New York Times, September 15, 1940


POW/MIA Day:
http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/...ecognition-day

Excerpt:

The National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States’ resolve to never forget POWs or those who served their country in conflicts and are still missing. Newt Heisley designed the flag. The flag’s design features a silhouette of a young man, which is based on Mr Heisley’s son, who was medically discharged from the military. As Mr Heisley looked at his returning son’s gaunt features, he imagined what life was for those behind barbed wire fences on foreign shores. He then sketched the profile of his son as the new flag's design was created in his mind.

[Bekki]

Those who have served and those currently
serving the uniformed services of the United States
are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been
tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice.
We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures,
there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain,
deprivation and internment.

So for those who may not know the meaning of the photo above
I have provided this description...

Before I begin I ask, we please pause to recognize our POW's and MIA's.

We call your attention to this small table, which occupies a place of dignity
and honor near the head table. It is set for one, symbolizing the fact that members
of our armed forces are missing from our ranks. They are referred to as POW's and MIA's.
We call them comrades.

They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight,
so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them,
and bear witness to their continued absence.

This table, set for one, is small,
symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner,
alone against his or her suppressors.

The tablecloth is white,
symbolic of the purity of their intentions
to respond to their country's call to arms.

The single red rose in the vase,

signifies the blood they many have shed in sacrifice
to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America.
This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades
who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.

The yellow ribbon on the vase
represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels
of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting
of our comrades who are not among us tonight.

A slice of lemon on the plate
reminds us of their bitter fate.

The salt sprinkled on the plate
reminds us of the countless fallen tears
of families as they wait.

The glass is inverted - they cannot toast with us this night.

The chair is empty - For they are not here.

The candle
is reminiscent of the light of hope which lives in our hearts
to illuminate their way home, away from their captors,
to the open arms of a grateful nation.

Let us pray to the supreme commander
that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.

Let us remember and never forget their sacrifices.
May god forever watch over them and protect them and their families.

/Bows head...

"You are not forgotten..."


/Salute

[FunnyCide]

You always do a great job with remembering them, Bekki. Thank you!

I know I tend t o get caught up in so many things. I am glad you're around to help remind us that we need to think of those that are off in other countries serving their country. Especially the ones that we may never hear from again.

Thank you, for the reminder, sir.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

Missing in action, the wire read.

The words sent such a chill
to those of us who loved him
As we all love him still.

But that was oh, so long ago
A lifetime,so it seems.

The hope died slowly in our hearts
Though it sometimes fills our dreams
Where is our smiling soldier now
Whose future was once assured?

Last seen in hand to hand combat
That's all we've ever heard.
The waiting has been endless
The out-come so obscure

In our hearts we hold the answer
We will never greet him here.

There is a place beyond this earth
Where one day we will see
This fallen sparrow of the Lord
In his final victory

Written for Ssgt. Homer I May, Mia-Korea, Hill 851, 1&2 Sept. 1951
By: Author, neice, Judith Ludgate Knight

[Bekki]

Thanks FunnyCide...

With the Hearing loss in my one ear, it looks like I can't get back in so...
The least I can do is pay tribute to those who do what I no longer can...

/Salute.

[LeslieWest_GuitarGod]

With the Hearing loss in my one ear, it looks like I can't get back in so...
The least I can do is pay tribute to those who do what I no longer can...

And thank you good sir, for doing all you did. Its part of the reason I get to hug my family each and every morning and night.

[Bekki]

Missing in action, the wire read.

The words sent such a chill
to those of us who loved him
As we all love him still.

But that was oh, so long ago
A lifetime,so it seems.

The hope died slowly in our hearts
Though it sometimes fills our dreams
Where is our smiling soldier now
Whose future was once assured?

Last seen in hand to hand combat
That's all we've ever heard.
The waiting has been endless
The out-come so obscure

In our hearts we hold the answer
We will never greet him here.

There is a place beyond this earth
Where one day we will see
This fallen sparrow of the Lord
In his final victory

Written for Ssgt. Homer I May, Mia-Korea, Hill 851, 1&2 Sept. 1951
By: Author, neice, Judith Ludgate Knight

Hill 851...

*chills*

To date there is still over 60,000 MIA's out there from...

WWII
Korea
Vietnam
The Cold War
And the Persian Gulf...

My heart goes out to the loved ones of ALL the MIA's...
May they ALL one day find their way home to their loved ones.

/Salute...
/Bows head

[Captain_Wizbang]

Thanks Bekki.
I lost many friends & fellow socom buddies from that era.

Their honor & remembrance is greatly appreciated & not done enough.

Thanks again.

"Never Forget"

[Arnhelm]

*moment of silent remembrance for friends still gone*