Some thoughts from Ronald Reagan's 1981 inaugural speech for Memorial Day 2018 - AEI

This is why we honor the men and women who paid the ultimate price for freedom, not just on Memorial Day, but every day. And it's also why we respect the flag and the national anthem. Thanks Ronnie. A great three minute explanation and a mini-history lesson.

from AEI.org
Some thoughts from Ronald Reagan's 1981 inaugural speech for Memorial Day 2018 - AEI:

Here’s a great quote from Reagan that opens the video above:

If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on Earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before. Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on Earth. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price.

And later in the speech, some thoughts on terrorism….

Above all, we must realize that no arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today’s world do not have. It is a weapon that we as Americans do have. Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism and prey upon their neighbors.

'via Blog this'

Memorial Day 2017

In Memoriam, 2017

"Those who have fought and died to defend America and its freedoms are noble beyond measure. Those who pay self-serving tribute to their valor, but make war and expend lives as means to corrupt ends are evil beyond redemption. Honor the former; expose and oppose the latter."

To those who had the guts to serve, we salute you this Memorial Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be8mdM6z2CA

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free”.  -- Ronald Reagan

http://www.christianpost.com/news/5-memorable-memorial-day-speeches-in-american-history-139451/

1. Ronald Reagan's Remarks on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetary, 1982.

Reagan, known as "The Great Communicator," concluded his remarks with a challenge: "Earlier today, with the music that we have heard and that of our National Anthem – I can't claim to know the words of all the national anthems in the world, but I don't know of any other that ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does that flag still wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? That is what we must all ask.

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3. Just a mere few months before he ascended to the presidency after the death of Warren G. Harding, then Vice President Calvin Coolidge delivered a Memorial Day speech titled, "The Destiny of America," in Northhampton, Massachusetts, in 1923.

Coolidge, who often played the role of civic educator, stressed the importance of American ideals and sacrifice in his remarks. He called war "not the worst of evils." He honored America's fallen and Memorial Day by saying we set the day apart "to do honor to all those, now gone, who made the cause of America their supreme choice." Coolidge quoted John 15:13: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Happy Memorial Day

from allprodad.com
http://www.allprodad.com/articles/more-great-articles/what-do-1-point-3-million-lives-mean-to-you/

1,321,612. Do you know what this number represents? It represents the total number of U.S. deaths as a result of war. That number is staggering to me, as I cannot say I know one of them.

The men and women who serve our country in the armed forces seem distant, almost unreal. Memorial Dayserves as an annual reminder to some of us, but many times, unless it hitsclose to home, we don’t truly understand the magnitude of it.

This is why instead of focusing on the opening of the local swimming pool, grilling out, and the unofficial kickoff to summer, we should make sure our kids value Memorial Day and what it represents.

Memorial Day is the day to remember those who sacrificed their lives to defend our nation and our freedom. It’s our job to teach them the importance and history of Memorial Day. Here is a Memorial Day Timeline to get you and your kids started and a great video that teaches the history of Memorial Day.

Happy Memorial Day

.....o'er the land of the free.....and the home of the brave

Remember today that we are only able to do the things shown above, and call ourselves free and brave, entirely because somebody -- actually many somebodies -- were willing to do what is illustrated below.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.-- John 15:13

Never forget the sacrifice made by those who are no longer around to enjoy the fruits of their work.
And never forget the reasons they were willing to make the sacrifice.

This is the debt that this nation can truly never repay -- the debt of gratitude.

According to this graphic, military personnel make up less than 1% of the total US population. For their service and their sacrifice this is the 1% we should be honoring the most in this country. And on more days than Memorial Day and in more ways than we do now.

 

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to their country. The holiday was officially proclaimed in 1868 to honor Union and Confederate soldiers and was expanded after World War I to honor those who died in all wars. Today, Memorial Day honors over one million men and women who have died in military service since the Civil War. This infographic compiles statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Defense to honor our men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Mark Twain once said "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."  Hopefully people remember the wisdom of that quote a bit more when one of the adventures the military is asked to engage on our behalf goes awry.

Maybe spit on a politician or two instead of a soldier (or 535 of them if you can spare the spit).

That's all I ask.

Happy Memorial Day. 

Remember our Veterans -- past and present -- this Memorial Day. THANK YOU!!

Remember the valiant service of those past and present.
Remember those who paid -- and continue to pay -- a price we can never repay.

MEMORIAL DAY
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Remember the fallen … the price was so great.

And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier's tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. -- Joseph Drake

The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem. -- Aaron Kilbourn

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. -- Joseph Campbell

This is how we do it in Chicago.....a stirring rendition....an emotional reaction

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US National Anthem drowned out by cheers at 91 NHL All Star Game

Wayne Messmer sings the National Anthem at Chicago Stadium during the '91 NHL All-Star game, days after the U.S. went into Iraq at the start of the Gulf War. He is nearly drowned out by the crowd.

This was broadcast live to the troops in the Middle East, and Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf reportedly played a tape of this to his soldiers.

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I don't know if this will start the debate anew, but I like this. I like it a lot. And maybe it is time for the somewhat quaint and antiquated tradition of showing quiet respect for the flag falls by the wayside. And maybe we can show our love and support for our country and the troops in a passionate way. Why not? To do otherwise conveys the impression that the support is not there.

I understand why veterans quietly bow there heads and pay homage and respect in their own way, but they do not seem to be offended by the 'Hawks fans level of support. It is veterans and armed services groups that present the colors each time the anthem is played here and they do not seem offended.

In the Fox News debate below the columnist from Detroit who takes issue with the 'Hawks fans display mentions that the "penalties" for this type of action are the same as those for defacing the flag. Well someone should have pointed out to him that thanks to the Supreme Court those "penalties" are zero. It's a free speech right apparently to deface, defile and rebuke the flag and all its stands for in every way, shape and form imaginable. IMO, it is high time those of us who support the flag and this country and all that it stands for stand quietly no more. Those that stand for something else can choose to stand somewhere far away from myself and those who attend games at "The Madhouse on Madison". By law, we may not be able to silence you, but we sure as hell can drown your sorry ass voices out.

I agree with Marv Albert's description of the 1991 display. A stirring rendition.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GO BLACKHAWKS!!!

BLACKHAWKS IN SIX.

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2010 Chicago Blackhawks National Anthem: "Let's Show The World How We Do It In Chicago"

In 1991, a week after we sent our troops into the Gulf War, the Blackhawks hosted the NHL all-star game. After it was announced that the troops were watching the game overseas, the crowd cheered throughout the ENTIRE national anthem. It's been a tradidtion ever since. You've never seen anything like this...

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Blackhawks National Anthem Controversy

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day. Remember it's more than just a good excuse for a three-day weekend.