Tributes, Memorials, Remembrances....

[Oldschool]

For posting tributes, memorials, remembrances and the like.

[Oldschool]

RIP to all who died in that fateful plane crash 32 years ago today and for all the other members of the band who have since passed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUucLK3Lc88

[Badstench]

I had a first edition LP of Lynyrd Synyrd's first album, "Pronounced Leh Nerd Skin Nerd".

I sold it when I went CD crazy. I also sold a bunch of stuff that you can't get on CD because the recording companies stopped producing them.

If I stop to think about what those albums are worth now, I think I'd go crazy.

But.... I just want to mention Michael Jackson.

I was never a fan of his, but that didn't stop me thinking he deserved his title as "Prince of Pop". I admired his musical genius, even if it wasn't to my taste.

Okay, he went a little bit weird in the end, but isn't that what the biggest celebrities do?

For all his faults, he was still a genius.

I won't rush out to buy his albums because he died.... I'll probably commiserate with a hard rock album insterad... but.... Rest In Peace, Michael.

[Young Ned]

I had a first edition LP of Lynyrd Synyrd's first album, "Pronounced Leh Nerd Skin Nerd".

I sold it when I went CD crazy. I also sold a bunch of stuff that you can't get on CD because the recording companies stopped producing them.

If I stop to think about what those albums are worth now, I think I'd go crazy.

Never mind what they're worth -- far more important is that you can't listen to them any more. This sort of thing is why I'm a pack rat...

(Now I'm having flashbacks about all the comic books I sold or threw away when I "grew up".:()

[Elrond]

Condolences to all US forum members on the Fort Hood killing spree.

[thingirl]

Yes. Very much so. The ironic thing is, it was a psychiatrist who was the shooter.

[Elrond]

Yes. Very much so. The ironic thing is, it was a psychiatrist who was the shooter.

Funny that I watched "Home of the Brave" a few days ago! In that movie and in real life, being exposed to stress continuously pushes one towards the breaking point. It is sad that so many victims fell when that psychiatrist snapped!

[zmflavius]

Funny that I watched "Home of the Brave" a few days ago! In that movie and in real life, being exposed to stress continuously pushes one towards the breaking point. It is sad that so many victims fell when that psychiatrist snapped!

Also, that was your 666th post. Ominous.

[Elrond]

Also, that was your 666th post. Ominous.

Yeah! I noticed when I posted. And this is my 667th post to get over that ominous milestone!

[thingirl]

I passed that... A long time ago.

[Elrond]

I passed that... A long time ago.

On the bright side of that note, Thingirl; you're 51.98% (3465 posts at this time) of the way to 6666 posts ;)

[Oldschool]

A sincere and heartfelt "Thank You" to all veterans.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge, remember and thank all veterans for their service and sacrifice.

In the U.S. we call today Veteran's Day. In the 'Commonwealth of Nations' today is Remembrance Day or Poppy Day. While other countries refer to today as Armistice Day.

[scout1idf]

A sincere and heartfelt "Thank You" to all veterans.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge, remember and thank all veterans for their service and sacrifice.

In the U.S. we call today Veteran's Day. In the 'Commonwealth of Nations' today is Remembrance Day or Poppy Day. While other countries refer to today as Armistice Day.

Thank you, that means a lot!!

[thingirl]

Thank you so very much for serving, Scout. And thank you also to anyone else who is a veteran. I think that most of us don't know how blessed we are by their service.

[Badstench]

I'm going to copy something from the old forum that I wrote... it was a tribute to a famous New Zealander who died recently, but it holds true to every single man and woman who served in our armed forces to gift us with the freedoms we enjoy today.

A nation needs its heroes; those few extraordinary men and women who do something that emblazons their name forever on the history of a country.

The world is full of celebrities, but being famous does not automatically bestow “greatness”.

When a nation is fortunate to have a living hero counted among its citizens, a person acclaimed by all the world, then the death of that person is a noteworthy ripple in the ocean of our existences.

[Badstench]

My father was a stamp collector. He would get home from work and go straight to his stamp collection... he had envelopes with stamps that needed separating, he was a member of a philately society that needed attention, he worked out where to buy and sell his stamps.

I remember the day when my hormones were somersualting, and I needed advice. I asked him, "Dad, how should I tell a girl I like her?"

I've never forgotten his answer.

"Girls are like stamps. Some of them are worth further examination, but most of them aren't. And ocassionally, you find one that's a keeper."

[zmflavius]

My father was a stamp collector. He would get home from work and go straight to his stamp collection... he had envelopes with stamps that needed separating, he was a member of a philately society that needed attention, he worked out where to buy and sell his stamps.

I remember the day when my hormones were somersualting, and I needed advice. I asked him, "Dad, how should I tell a girl I like her?"

I've never forgotten his answer.

"Girls are like stamps. Some of them are worth further examination, but most of them aren't. And ocassionally, you find one that's a keeper."

But how was that an answer to your question? You asked how, not should.

[Badstench]

Gid works in mysterious ways... so do fathers, sometimes.

[thingirl]

I'm not falling for this trap.

[psychoadept]

Today is the 11th International Transgender Day of Remembrance. This year there were over 100 reported deaths from around the world due to the victim's gender identity or gender expression. There was more than one such death a month, on average, just in the United States.

http://www.transgenderdor.org

[Young Ned]

Good one, psychoadept. :(

[psychoadept]

Good one, psychoadept. :(

Thanks, Ned. I feel like anything I can do to let the world know these people existed at all gives their deaths a little more meaning. It can hardly make up for anything, but at least it gives them a little bit of power after the fact.

[scout1idf]

_____________________________________





Today is Pearl Harbor Day.

Please pause and remember all those who died December 7, 1941.






__________________________________________________ _

[Young Ned]

"A day that will live in infamy," as FDR said.

[Badstench]

LETTER FROM AN ETERNAL OPTIMIST

To the god of a new decade, I have one wish... World Peace!

There are a few riders goes along with this wish, and a few footnotes as well.

1) If we can have peace, could you also eliminate Poverty? That would be nice.

2) Can you also save the whales? I don't exactly know why they need saving. You'd think they were big enough to sink a few Japanese whaling fleets all on their own given a concerted effort. Still, if they would stop beaching themselves on our shores, it would let us concentrate less on saving them and more on convincing the Brazillians to stop burning down the rain forests, yeah?

3) Could you also reverse Time? I'm not asking for years... just a few weeks... the weeks in which our world leaders bickered over the state of the planet while they were at Copenhagen. I have no illusions that the outcome would be any different, but I'm an optimist. You never know!

4) Can you invent a new style of music, please? If I have to listen to one more EMO-cum-onehitwonder, I'd rather clone Beethoven (and we have the capability, you know?) Lady Gaga is okay, though.

5) If the movie industry is hell-bent on showing us how mankind is doomed, could you influence them, just a teeny bit, into leaving us with a bit of hope?

6) Personally, I don't like jellyfish. Please evolve a new creature that doesn't infest our beaches and make swimming a dicey prospect.

7) Please stop picking on Africa. I feel sorry for them. (mind you, I don't want to see an influx of refugees to my country, so if you could.... oh, never mind.)

8) Could you please send us a universal messiah? I'm thinking of a guy who can stop war, eradicate disease, and be internationally acceptable... with family morals and a penchant for loving his fellow man, whether he be black, white, yellow, or Australian.

9) With all this new technology, is it too much to ask for simple user instructions?

10) In short... please save us from our own folly.

Happy New Year!

[Elrond]

2002: In his State of the Union Address, United States President George W. Bush describes "regimes that sponsor terror" as an Axis of Evil, in which he includes Iraq, Iran and North Korea.

Yeah, right! And when he disheveled Iraq, he added another country so that he can keep his "Axis" pun!

Great to know that the war on terror cost more American lives than at anytime before the war was launched! And now, they're talking about "talking to the Taliban!" Guess it is going swell with the WoT!

[zmflavius]

Great to know that the war on terror cost more American lives than at anytime before the war was launched!

American Revolution - 25000

Civil War - 620000

WWI - 116000

WWII - 300000

Korean War - 36500

Vietnam War - 58000

War on Terror - fewer than 10000 (and this includes civilians, unlike the estimates of all the above ones)

Not true actually.

[Badstench]

You got the wrong end of the stick on that, Zm. I think that what Elrond meant was that more people have died as a result of the war on terror than through terrorism attacks prior to the war.

[smv1973]

American Revolution - 25000

Civil War - 620000

WWI - 116000

WWII - 300000

Korean War - 36500

Vietnam War - 58000

War on Terror - fewer than 10000 (and this includes civilians, unlike the estimates of all the above ones)

Not true actually.

The info I post here comes from the US Department of Veterans Affairs as of November '08. Here is the link http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/amwars.asp


The American Revolution - Total Servicemembers.... 217,000, Non-mortal Woundings.... 6,188, Battle Deaths.... 4,435

Civil War - Total U.S. Servicemembers (Union)... 2,213,363, Total Servicemembers(Confederate)... 1,050,000, Battle Deaths (Union)... 140,414, Other Deaths (In Theater) (Union)... 224,097, Battle Deaths (Confederate)... 74,524, Other Deaths (In Theater)(Confederate)... 59,297 (Confederate Death figures are based on incomplete returns).

WW I - Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)... 4,734,991, Battle Deaths... 53,402, Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)... 63,114

WW II - Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)... 16,112,566, Battle Deaths... 291,557, Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)... 113,842, Non-mortal Woundings... 671,846

Korean War - Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)... 5,720,000, Battle Deaths... 33,741, Other Deaths (In Theater)... 2,833, Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)... 17,672

Vietnam War - Deployed to Southeast Asia... 3,403,000, Battle Deaths... 47,424, Other Deaths (In Theater)... 10,785, Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)... 32,000

On the The Global War on Terror the info I post comes from the Department of Defense web site as of January 23, 2010.


The Global War on Terror
Operation Enduring Freedom - Hostile Deaths... 689, Non-Hostile Deaths... 268

Operation Iraqi Freedom - Hostile Deaths... 3,469, Non-Hostile Deaths... 895

[zmflavius]

The info I post here comes from the US Department of Veterans Affairs as of November '08. Here is the link http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/amwars.asp


The American Revolution - Total Servicemembers.... 217,000, Non-mortal Woundings.... 6,188, Battle Deaths.... 4,435

Civil War - Total U.S. Servicemembers (Union)... 2,213,363, Total Servicemembers(Confederate)... 1,050,000, Battle Deaths (Union)... 140,414, Other Deaths (In Theater) (Union)... 224,097, Battle Deaths (Confederate)... 74,524, Other Deaths (In Theater)(Confederate)... 59,297 (Confederate Death figures are based on incomplete returns).

WW I - Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)... 4,734,991, Battle Deaths... 53,402, Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)... 63,114

WW II - Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)... 16,112,566, Battle Deaths... 291,557, Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)... 113,842, Non-mortal Woundings... 671,846

Korean War - Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)... 5,720,000, Battle Deaths... 33,741, Other Deaths (In Theater)... 2,833, Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)... 17,672

Vietnam War - Deployed to Southeast Asia... 3,403,000, Battle Deaths... 47,424, Other Deaths (In Theater)... 10,785, Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)... 32,000

On the The Global War on Terror the info I post comes from the Department of Defense web site as of January 23, 2010.


The Global War on Terror
Operation Enduring Freedom - Hostile Deaths... 689, Non-Hostile Deaths... 268

Operation Iraqi Freedom - Hostile Deaths... 3,469, Non-Hostile Deaths... 895

I think the problem is that in the wars I listed before WWII, all deaths, including non-battle deaths are listed. In WWII and further, it's just battle deaths.

[Elrond]

American Revolution - 25000

Civil War - 620000

WWI - 116000

WWII - 300000

Korean War - 36500

Vietnam War - 58000

War on Terror - fewer than 10000 (and this includes civilians, unlike the estimates of all the above ones)

Not true actually.

You got the wrong end of the stick on that, Zm. I think that what Elrond meant was that more people have died as a result of the war on terror than through terrorism attacks prior to the war.

Badstench said what I wanted to originally say.

[zmflavius]

Badstench said what I wanted to originally say.

Ahhh...Well, I guess you're right then.

[Badstench]

WE WAS BRUNG UP PROPER!! (a tribute)

I would like to congratulate all my relatives, friends and acquaintances who were born before 1972 and have survived to the present day.

We survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us, and lived in houses made of asbestos.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese, raw egg products, tuna from a can, loads of bacon and processed meat, and didn't get tested for diabetes or cervical cancer.

Our baby cribs were covered with bright coloured lead-based paints. There were no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets, and we would ride in cars without booster seats, belts or air bags. We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

Take-away food was limited to fish & chips. There was no McDonalds, KFC, or Subway. There were no Pizza parlours, and even though all the shops closed at 6.00pm and didn't open on a Sunday, we somehow managed not to starve to death!

We shared one fizzy drink from one bottle with four friends, and no one actually died from this. We could collect those old drink bottles and cash them in at the corner store and buy Toffees, Gobstoppers, Bubble Gum and some bangers to blow up frogs with. And the fizzy drinks were loaded with sugar, and we ate cakes and white bread and real butter, but we weren’t overweight because…

…We were always playing outside! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, and that was okay as long as we were back by the time the streetlights came on.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of old prams and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot to add brakes. We built tree houses and dug tunnels and swam in rivers and creeks without adult supervision or lifeguards.

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and lost teeth, and no one got sued because of these ‘accidents’. We ate worms and other wriggly things and mud pies made from dirt, and no one got sued from that either.

Only girls had pierced ears, and we never died of embarrassment through being given stupid names like 'Q' and 'Blade' and 'Vanilla' and suchlike.

We were given air guns and catapults for our 10th birthdays, and could legally buy fireworks. We rode bikes “double-up”, and didn’t wear helmets or shoes and enjoyed every moment of it.

Mum didn't have to go to work to help dad make ends meet because we didn’t need to keep up with the Jones’s!

Not everyone made the football/ basketball/ baseball team, and those who didn't had to learn to deal with the disappointment. Imagine that! Getting into the team was based on merit!

Our teachers used to hit us with canes and leather straps and throw the blackboard eraser at us if they thought we weren’t concentrating, but we can string proper sentences together and spell and have proper conversations because of a good, solid three R’s education.

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. In fact, they actually sided with the law and purposefully let us spend an uncomfortable night in jail to teach us a lesson if that’s where we found ourselves!

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all!

So, congratulations for making it into this enlightened age alive and intact. Give yourself a pat on the back.

[Elrond]

:) Interesting and intriguing while somewhat funny to read. But sadly, there are too many in our world today who dream of the above pre-1972 standard of life. The majority (if not all) of the forum community and Sryth gamers have no such worries; and for that they can give themselves a big pat on the back.

[Oldschool]

http://brotherpeacemaker.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/hmdcard.jpg


Happy Mother's Day to Moms everywhere.

[scout1idf]

Memorial Day is upon us again (in the U.S. at least).


Please take time this weekend to remember those who have passed.

Be safe in your festivities so you won't become one of those that we will have to pause to remember....

[spencer]

1944: D-Day! 150,000 allied troops land at Normandy in WW2

Perhaps one of the fiercest battles of WW II. All who died there should be remembered.

Also, if you want to get an idea of what it was really like, watch Saving Private Ryan (definitely not for the faint of heart).

[smv1973]

1944: D-Day! 150,000 allied troops land at Normandy in WW2

Perhaps one of the fiercest battles of WW II. All who died there should be remembered.

Also, if you want to get an idea of what it was really like, watch Saving Private Ryan (definitely not for the faint of heart).

For those that have never seen the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers may give you an idea of what D-Day was like for the Airborne soldiers. The series also can give just a small picture of what they went through during WW II.

[Doolipalally]

For those that have never seen the HBO mini-series Band of Brothers may give you an idea of what D-Day was like for the Airborne soldiers. The series also can give just a small picture of what they went through during WW II.

Seconded. Band of Brothers is an amazing series. One of those DVD purchases I'm really glad I made.

[texlaw1992]

L'shanah Tovah, although I think I'm the only one on the forum to whom it applies.

[Badstench]

I didn't know what it meant, but a bit of googling enlightened me.

From New Zealand, good wishes my friend.

[texlaw1992]

Oddly enough Eid (end of Ramadan) and Rosh Hashanah are the same time this year. Several muslim friends and I have finally had an opportunity to exchange holiday greetings at the same time.

[spencer]

L'shanah Tovah, although I think I'm the only one on the forum to whom it applies.

My father was Jewish but now is Baptist and I am Methodist :)

Happy New Year!!

[Elrond]

L'shanah Tovah, although I think I'm the only one on the forum to whom it applies.

Chag Sameach, Tex!

[texlaw1992]

Thanks very much for the holiday wishes.

Also, Happy Eid for those to whom it applies.

[Lightwielder]

Not exactly a happy anniversary, but like last year, I wish to honor the memories of those who died in the attack on the United States of America on this day; September 11th.

This event is known throughout the United States. What I do want to know is...how well is it known in other countries? Can some people who don't live in the United States give me some insight?

[Doolipalally]

Not exactly a happy anniversary, but like last year, I wish to honor the memories of those who died in the attack on the United States of America on this day; September 11th.

This event is known throughout the United States. What I do want to know is...how well is it known in other countries? Can some people who don't live in the United States give me some insight?

It was a major news event around the world (and that's an understatement). I was in Greece at the time and coverage was intensive. When I got back to the UK I heard stories from several people I knew who'd been affected in one way or another, including a woman I'd known at college who only survived because she was late to work that morning.

Bear in mind that over 300 of the victims were not American (more info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_September_11_attacks#Non-American_casualties)). 54 countries lost citizens.

It also marked the beginning of a major shift in foreign policy, not only for the US but also for all of its allies, and that shift has affected millions of people across the world. I think it's fair to say that it's a very well-known event everywhere where people have access to news media.

[Lightwielder]

It was a major news event around the world (and that's an understatement). I was in Greece at the time and coverage was intensive. When I got back to the UK I heard stories from several people I knew who'd been affected in one way or another, including a woman I'd known at college who only survived because she was late to work that morning.

Bear in mind that over 300 of the victims were not American (more info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_September_11_attacks#Non-American_casualties)). 54 countries lost citizens.

It also marked the beginning of a major shift in foreign policy, not only for the US but also for all of its allies, and that shift has affected millions of people across the world. I think it's fair to say that it's a very well-known event everywhere where people have access to news media.

Thank you, Dooli. I was pretty certain it was worldwide, but I wasn't sure.

[texlaw1992]

My firm is based in NYC and our former offices were next door to the WTC. The wreckage from the buildings destroyed our old offices. Fortunately there was a charity golf tournament that day and most were out of the office, and the few in the office got out safely.

Unfortunately, the wife of one of our partners (a really nice lady) worked at Marsh, which was on the floor of the north tower where the first plane hit. She undoubtedly was killed instantly.

We did not have data backed up off site at the time, but quickly learned to do so. Fortunately the NY law firms came together, gave those affected access to files and so forth, and another firm took in our displaced lawyers. Oddly enough, that firm fell apart at the end of 2001 and we wound up taking over their space and several of their lawyers.

One of our clients was on the top floor of the WTC during the 1993 bombing. They had to walk down 108 flights of stairs. They decided never to do that again and so moved down to around the 71st floor. Had they not moved, everyone there would have died on 9/11.

My condolences to the families of all those who passed away. Let's just remember not to condemn all muslims / arabs for the actions of an extreme but vocal minority. I'm Jewish and have a number of muslim friends and clients, which goes to show that people can get along if we try.

[Young Ned]

Belated Rosh Hashanah greetings and happy (Jewish) new year, Texlaw. I'm not Jewish myself, but I have some Jewish cousins.

So now you have to get used to writing 5771 on your checks? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v735/Old_Ned/icon_cool.gif

[texlaw1992]

Heck, it took long enough just to get used to writing 2010 on my checks.

By the way, congrats to Badstench's New Zealand (and big brother Australia) for being number one in charitable giving worldwide per capita. Us was a close fifth (2% difference).

[Badstench]

Jeez texlaw... you reminded me of the last time I was in a shop... MacDonalds, I think. Anyway, I ordered my food and went to pay for it, and the girl behind the counter asked if I'd like to add $2 to help feed hungry children.

Now, I don't carry cash... i use my Eftpos (ATM) card all the time. I am innured to answering beggars and askers after money... "Sorry. I don't have any money on me."

So it was natural for me to say "no".

But the very fact that I have to say "no" annoys me. I just want a burger, for god's sake. I don't want the guilt trip that goes with it. It's bad enough that I am bombarded with media telling me that MacDonalds is bad for you, let alone feeling that my belly is filled while African children are dying.

Piss off!

And you know what really irks me? The people who run these aid organisations drive around in fancy/ new model cars while I ride the bus and fret about the next power bill and whether I can pay it.

So I'm thinking of starting an aid organization... The Kori Mitchell fund for me.

You can send your donations to.... blah blah blah

Am I being mean? Am I being inconsiderate of the less fortunate?

[texlaw1992]

That just shows that regardless of where countries rank on issues, the attitudes of people within those countries vary greatly.

To be honest, I too am not inclined to give to charities by paying "extra" on bills. I think paying "extra" on a bill just amplifies the unpleasantness of paying the original bill, especially since it feels like coercion.

However, I am on the board of a couple of area nonprofits and we do "partner" with local supermarket chains for donations (i.e., shop there and show your organization membership card, company donates x amount to your organization). Since that involves voluntary actions on the part of the membership, not surprisingly it draws fairly wide participation.

I think that if your McDonald's simply donated, say, $1 of every purchase to charity, it would generate increased business and you would feel more positive about shopping there.

[Elrond]

Touchy subject to say the least .... But the other day the news about record levels of (relative) poverty in the US were ironic! The US has over 50 million uninsured citizens, over 40 million people under the US poverty line, and tens of millions of homeless people. Oh ... and the unemployment rate is around 10%. Should an American give money to help the poor in Africa or in America?

[texlaw1992]

Should they - yes.

Must they - no.

[Scarbrow]

MODERATOR NOTICE

The discussion about the "Gay-bashing related suicides in September" has been moved to its own thread (http://srythforum.com/showthread.php?t=1243), because it was getting offtopic in this thread.

[texlaw1992]

My 2-1/2 year old step-granddaughter (Jade) is over this weekend (she lived with us for a bit over a year and still spends 4 or so days every two weeks).

I can tell that constantly moving between her father's and mother's apartments is really getting to her.

She was drawing, looked up at me and said, "There's my daddy's house and my mommy's house, but this is my home."

I couldn't help but give her a big hug.

[Elrond]

Nov. 5, 1925: Ace of Spies (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Reilly) executed!

Interesting read. I guess there was a "James Bond" after all!

[Young Ned]

Oh, yeah, I remember hearing about that Reilly, Ace of Spies mini-series years ago. I'd forgotten or never knew that Ian Fleming used him as a model for James Bond, though.

[scout1idf]

I just got this from a friend....



Cemetery Watchman ..

My friend Kevin and I are volunteers at a National cemetery in Oklahoma and put in a few days a month in a 'slightly larger' uniform.
Today had been a long, long day and I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's and have a cold one. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time,16:55. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day. Full dress was hot in the August sun Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace.. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell.

I couldn't help myself. The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!' But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.

Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey's in time.

I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.

' Ma'am, may I assist you in any way? '

She took long enough to answer.

' Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days. '

' My pleasure, ma'am. ' (Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.)

She looked again. ' Marine, where were you stationed? '

' Vietnam , ma'am.. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71. '

She looked at me closer. ' Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I can. '

I lied a little bigger: ' No hurry, ma'am. '

She smiled and winked at me. ' Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off.. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time. '

' Yes, ma 'am. At your service. '

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flower bunches out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn't quite make out.. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France1918 .

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X.Davidson, USMC, 1943 .

She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, StanleyJ. Wieserman, USMC, 1944 ..

She paused for a second and more tears flowed. ' Two more, son, and we'll be done '

I almost didn't say anything, but, ' Yes, ma'am. Take your time. '

She looked confused.. ' Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way. '

I pointed with my chin. ' That way, ma'am. '

'Oh!' she chuckled quietly. ' Son, me and old age ain't too friendly. '

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968 , and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970 . She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out and more tears flowed.

' OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home. '

Yes, ma'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk? '

She paused. ' Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines. '

She stopped! Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.
I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.

' Get to the 'Out' gate quick.. I have something I've got to do. '


Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service road fast. We beat her. She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.

' Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead. ' I humped it across the drive to the other post

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: ' TehenHut! Present Haaaarms! '

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye--full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud.
She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice far beyond the realm of most.

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

Instead of ' The End ,' just think of ' Taps. '

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer: ' Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us. '

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.

'In God We Trust.'

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!

[Chareos]

Came across this the other day...

A VETERAN - Whether active duty or retired is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank cheque made payable to "Great Britain", for an amount of "up to and including my life". That is HONOUR, and there are way too many people who forget this.

[Oldschool]

Nice post Chareos and unfortunately we seem to have more than our share of folks who forget that here in America as well.

[spencer]

I just got this from a friend....



Cemetery Watchman ..

My friend Kevin and I are volunteers at a National cemetery in Oklahoma and put in a few days a month in a 'slightly larger' uniform.
Today had been a long, long day and I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's and have a cold one. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time,16:55. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day. Full dress was hot in the August sun Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.

I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace.. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell.

I couldn't help myself. The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!' But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.

Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey's in time.

I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.

I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.

' Ma'am, may I assist you in any way? '

She took long enough to answer.

' Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days. '

' My pleasure, ma'am. ' (Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.)

She looked again. ' Marine, where were you stationed? '

' Vietnam , ma'am.. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71. '

She looked at me closer. ' Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I can. '

I lied a little bigger: ' No hurry, ma'am. '

She smiled and winked at me. ' Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off.. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time. '

' Yes, ma 'am. At your service. '

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flower bunches out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn't quite make out.. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France1918 .

She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X.Davidson, USMC, 1943 .

She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, StanleyJ. Wieserman, USMC, 1944 ..

She paused for a second and more tears flowed. ' Two more, son, and we'll be done '

I almost didn't say anything, but, ' Yes, ma'am. Take your time. '

She looked confused.. ' Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way. '

I pointed with my chin. ' That way, ma'am. '

'Oh!' she chuckled quietly. ' Son, me and old age ain't too friendly. '

She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968 , and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970 . She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out and more tears flowed.

' OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home. '

Yes, ma'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk? '

She paused. ' Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines. '

She stopped! Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.
I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.

' Get to the 'Out' gate quick.. I have something I've got to do. '


Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service road fast. We beat her. She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.

' Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead. ' I humped it across the drive to the other post

When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: ' TehenHut! Present Haaaarms! '

I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye--full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud.
She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice far beyond the realm of most.

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

Instead of ' The End ,' just think of ' Taps. '

As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer: ' Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us. '

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.

'In God We Trust.'

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!

Very moving, scout, thank you very much for sharing.

[Oldschool]

Whether you commemorate it as Veteran's Day, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day or some other name a sincere Thank You to America's Veterans as well as those of her friends and allies.

[Badstench]

In New Zealand, the rememberance for past soldiers and defenders of our country is March 25. It's called ANZAC day.

The USA and New Zealand have been allies since WW2, until our voting citizens decided we didn't want any truck with nuclear weapons. I need to make this clear... it wasn't our government who decided to go nuclear free. It was the people.

Because of our stance, New Zealand felt the backlash of allied condemnation. We were ostracized.

That happened thirty years ago. New Zealand is still nuclear free by the mandate of the people.

I'm very happy that the USA no longer frowns at us for our decision.

Even though we stopped being 'allies', we have always been 'friends'.

[Addendum: Hilary Clinton was recently in New Zealand... we've been upgraded to "close friends"]

I want to relate a story of my travels in America, specifically when I was on a bus in Portland, Oregon.

I had been warned that people who ride the bus are weird, and this seemed to be confirmed when an old man suddenly blurted, "Christmas sucks! Jesus never existed!"

Everyone else on the bus pretended not to have heard him. They looked at the floor, at the advertisements stuck on the walls, out the window... but I said, "I hope your New Year celebration will be happier."

A woman sitting opposite me said, "You have a nice accent. Where are you from?"

"New Zealand." I answered proudly, and I glanced at the old man. I could see he was trying to locate my country within his knowledge of the world.

The woman said, "Wow. I've never met anyone from New Zealand before. You sort of sound English. Is New Zealand near England?"

I laughed. "No, New Zealand is exactly on the opposite side of the world from England. We're neighbors to Australia."

The woman and me ended up having dinner later that night, but that's not what I want to tell you.

The old man on the bus remembered where New Zealand was located on the global map and said, "We saved your asses in WW2."

And I answered, "Yes you did, and we've never forgotten it. That's why I'm here... because the USA welcomes me, as a New Zealander whose soldiers fought and died along with Americans.

And you know something? I'd much rather be a 'friend' than an 'ally'.

[spencer]

In New Zealand, the rememberance for past soldiers and defenders of our country is March 25. It's called ANZAC day.

The USA and New Zealand have been allies since WW2, until our voting citizens decided we didn't want any truck with nuclear weapons. I need to make this clear... it wasn't our government who decided to go nuclear free. It was the people.

Because of our stance, New Zealand felt the backlash of allied condemnation. We were ostracized.

That happened thirty years ago. New Zealand is still nuclear free by the mandate of the people.

I'm very happy that the USA no longer frowns at us for our decision.

Even though we stopped being 'allies', we have always been 'friends'.

[Addendum: Hilary Clinton was recently in New Zealand... we've been upgraded to "close friends"]

I want to relate a story of my travels in America, specifically when I was on a bus in Portland, Oregon.

I had been warned that people who ride the bus are weird, and this seemed to be confirmed when an old man suddenly blurted, "Christmas sucks! Jesus never existed!"

Everyone else on the bus pretended not to have heard him. They looked at the floor, at the advertisements stuck on the walls, out the window... but I said, "I hope your New Year celebration will be happier."

A woman sitting opposite me said, "You have a nice accent. Where are you from?"

"New Zealand." I answered proudly, and I glanced at the old man. I could see he was trying to locate my country within his knowledge of the world.

The woman said, "Wow. I've never met anyone from New Zealand before. You sort of sound English. Is New Zealand near England?"

I laughed. "No, New Zealand is exactly on the opposite side of the world from England. We're neighbors to Australia."

The woman and me ended up having dinner later that night, but that's not what I want to tell you.

The old man on the bus remembered where New Zealand was located on the global map and said, "We saved your asses in WW2."

And I answered, "Yes you did, and we've never forgotten it. That's why I'm here... because the USA welcomes me, as a New Zealander whose soldiers fought and died along with Americans.

And you know something? I'd much rather be a 'friend' than an 'ally'.
Great, great story, Badstench.
Whether you commemorate it as Veteran's Day, Armistice Day, Remembrance Day or some other name a sincere Thank You to America's Veteran's as well as those of her friends and allies.

As always, thanks for your support.

[thingirl]

I give a huge, heart-felt

THANK YOU!!!!!!

to the Veterans of America and her friends and allies.

[Balthazar]

Thank you to all the veterans across the world who have given their service, and sometimes their lives, for the cause of freedom. You gave of yourselves for the freedom of others, and that is something we can never repay, but we will always remember. God bless you all, for givng us the right to live in peace. You're sacrifices will never be forgotten.

[scout1idf]

Thank you all for your kind words.

And to my fellow Vet's.....


THANK YOU!!!

[texlaw1992]

Belated Happy Veteran's Day to Scout and all other current or former military personnel.

[Lightwielder]

Short of the Roleplay threads and a few others here and there, I haven't really been browsing around the common threads.

Regardless of my tardiness, I can still give my humble "Thank you" to the soldiers of any country who are willing to fight and die for the protection of their homeland. Still, me being my biased self, also want to say, "Especially the American ones."

Thank you.

[Elrond]

Nov. 19th: IMD (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Men's_Day)

Yeah, right! Does anyone really care about that?

For added irony, it coincides with this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Toilet_Organization#World_Toilet_Day) (ROFL......)

In 2001, the World Toilet Organization declared its founding day, 19 November, as World Toilet Day.[3] Since then, 19 November has been observed globally by its member organizations. In September 2009, a new website was launched ([1]) dedicated to the celebration of World Toilet Day.

I'm officially requesting that the acronym WTO be recognized solely as indicated above; and that IMD be linked to it. Is it a mere coincidence? Lol ......

[Badstench]

It's my birthday today, but there seems little reason to celebrate.

Our Prime Minister said this: New Zealand is a small country, a country where we are all our brother's keeper. To lose this many brothers at once strikes an agonising blow.

The following is taken from the front page of todays paper:

"No one was prepared for it. For six days, families had heard officials talk increasingly of fading hope, saying that with each passing hour, the men's chances of survival were dwindling.

They went to every briefing with hope. This briefing was no different, but 10 minutes later, a wail split the air.

A second explosion in the mine two hours earlier had crushed any hope. The 29 miners were pronounced dead."

Badstench asks for you to spare a thought for the families involved, for the rescuers who tried, for the people who cared.

Thanks

[texlaw1992]

I was just about to note the passing of the miners - a terrible tragedy.

My condolences to the whole of NZ.

[spencer]

I will echo what tex has already said. Truly a sad and tragic situation.

[Oldschool]

Same here - thoughts and prayers for the miner's, their family and friends.

[Young Ned]

Aw, man, I'm sorry to hear it, BS. That's very unfortunate. My sympathies. :(

[texlaw1992]

It's worth nothing here as well that after the mine tragedy, three NZ teenagers given up for dead after being lost at sea have been found alive and well. Real perseverance on their part.

[Young Ned]

I know the day is almost over (already is over for some of you in earlier time zones), but I'd like to mention that December 7th is Pearl Harbor Day, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Pearl_Harbor) that devastated the U.S. Pacific Fleet and triggered the U.S.'s entry into World War II. My sympathies go out to all the servicemen and servicewomen, American and Japanese, who died that day, and to all their friends and families as well. :(

[Badstench]

As I type this, it's the morning of 25 December.

A Merry Christmas to everyone!

[thingirl]

Merry Christmas, Badstench!

And, since I won't likely get on tomorrow, @ everyone:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Oldschool]

Continuing my thoughts spurred on by mentions of Henry V (the play) and specifically the Band of Brothers speech which (my Shakespeare knowledge is shaky - pun and groan intended) iirc occurs before the Battle of Agincourt.

What I'm sure of is this. It is also referred to as the Saint Crispin's Day Speech. Which got me thinking of not only the Battle of Agincourt which occured on that day but two other notable battles or series of that were fought on or over that day. The Charge of the Light Brigade (can't recall the specific battle atm except it was during the Crimean War) and the Battle of Leyte Gulf which saw the first reported use of kamikazes by the Japanese.

Anyway I've done sidetracked myself but I'm nearly full circle back to my original thought from that mention that spurred this post. While it's a speech by Shakespeare in Henry V I mostly attribute it to real life events and people such as the above and particularly these (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9Ke2bMYBFs).

And especially on the holiday season I'd feel remiss if I didn't do the following.

Thank You to all our service men and women and veterans - I wish you all and everyone a sincere Peace on Earth.

[Tetracapillactomist]

Not allowed to rep you.:rolleyes:

Your wish is unrealistic, but so are most dreams worth dreaming...

I'll second it.

[spencer]

OS has said it best. Peace to all.

[Young Ned]

Or, as Tom Lehrer put it in his song "National Brotherhood Week (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6RbfaoX5Hw)" (bear in mind that this is satire, and very sarcastic satire at that):

But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
It's National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It's only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn't last all year!

;)

Which is to say, I hope the spirit of brotherhood/sisterhood/kinship with all humanity does last all year.

[Syrius]

...any country for the freedoms we all live under and the lives we live FREE-LY because others cared enough to fight for us, when we couldn't fight for ourselves.

THANK YOU, so very much for your service, for your courage and for the great heart you have in serving your country, wherever that may be.

Everyday, I'm grateful for all of you who have given unselfishly of yourselves for service in deed for your country! Thank YOU!

For all of those affected, hurt, and loss during Sept 11, 2001 I offer this somewhat simple poem I wrote: "From Now on Through Eternity"

Our America stands tall and free
Enjoining the wills of humanity,
Like the many leaves of a verdant Oak tree...
Your American spirit is a part of me,
From now on through eternity.

I have seen, with my own eyes
The powers of thy Love;
The sweat, the fears, the hearts of burden,
Lift with guidance from above...
The aches, the pain, the yearning so-
Will echo through the years,
No one's heart will ever forget You,
For we seal them with our tears.
Your American spirit is a part of me,
From now on...through eternity.

Your toils and labor are not for naught,
For we remember what the Savior taught,
In the parables during the ancient reigns,
Rings true like lifeblood through our veins,
Fill your hearts with abiding Love-
And lift thy neighbor with thy Love...
And though with heavy hearts... do waver,
Carry with you hope and prayer;
And know inside you our hearts are there,
Entwined with yours throughout the years...
Your American spirit is a part of me,
From now on... through eternity.

In the path of weathering storms
We realize through it all,
The will to Live and Hope and Love,
Will lead us in our call...
For Honor, Courage and Integrity
Are all a part of Thee with me,
In our land of the brave... and of the free,
From now on through eternity.
This is our American spirit~
eternally.

We Love... just because
Our spirits tell us so,
Let the warmth of all of us,
Fill you with its glow;
Gather strength from family and friends,
And know this to be truth:
That God above will always Love you...
Let His Love begin to soothe.

The fears, the tears, the helplessness
May someday fade away.
I want you to know... from my heart,
I send my Love.
and will always hold a part of
Your American spirit... inside of me,
From now on... through Eternity.

For all of you and your families in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC., who lost so much...
For everyone whom this poem is all about...
My heart is with yours.

[spencer]

Happy Australia Day!!

[Scarbrow]

A big cheer for a true hero:

Lone Nepali Soldier Defends Potential Rape Victim Against 40 Men (http://www.logiccool.com/blog/591281-lone-nepali-soldier-defends-potential-rape-victim-against-40-men/)

[Young Ned]

A big cheer for a true hero:

Lone Nepali Soldier Defends Potential Rape Victim Against 40 Men (http://www.logiccool.com/blog/591281-lone-nepali-soldier-defends-potential-rape-victim-against-40-men/)

Impressive! Eat your hearts out, Hollywood action stars!

[Badstench]

I just read this...

Frank Buckles lied about his age to get into uniform during World War I and lived to be the last surviving United States veteran of that war. Frank died on Sunday, February 27. He was 110.

It set me pondering on the strangeness of Time and my perception of history. While there is still someone living who can claim to have experienced an event or a momentous occassion, then those events are still current. It's only when no one living can say "I was there" that events and occassions become 'history'.

And history is something I don't connect with. All the stuff in history precludes my perception of Time as a tangible thing. It doesn't affect me, it doesn't concern me, it's the class-room lesson I never listened to.

World War I has become a archive of faded photographs and vague memories. Perhaps it's a good thing for the world to eventually cleanse itself of bad memories kept by the living, because as long as someone can say "I was there", then we're reminded of how awful and devastating and ruinous particular wars were, and how it was 'us' that caused it.

But when a war fades into history, it was 'them' who caused it. We are absolved by Time.

Rest in peace, Frank Buckles.

P.S... this is Badstench getting all philosophical again. It shouldn't detract from the fact of Frank Buckles' death. If you feel it necessary to comment on my ramble, please take it to a more appropriate board. cheers.

[Oldschool]

Thanks Badstench.

This isn't commentary on Badstench's post as much as an addendum. So.....

Frank Buckles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Buckles) moved to and made West Virginia his home, specifically the historic Gap View Farm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gap_View_Farm).

There's a movie about Mr. Buckles due out sometime this year. He was enroute to Europe aboard the Carpathia which picked up survivors of the Titanic and was taken prisoner by the Japanese during WW II when he worked for a shipping company. He was held prisoner for over three years and was rescued the day before the Japanese planned to exterminate the entire camp, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acoOeHTaBSM&feature=relmfu

List of surviving World War I veterans, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surviving_veterans_of_World_War_I

To quote one of the local papers,

Mr. Buckles is survived by friends, family and a grateful nation.

Thank you and Rest in Peace, Mr. Buckles.

[Elrond]

Today, Pauline Nyiramasuhuko (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Nyiramasuhuko) is convicted of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Sad that the woman who was a Minister for Family Welfare and the Advancement of Women did what she did. Simply demoralizing!

[scout1idf]

For those of us here in the Colonies....

redwhiteblue
Happy Independence Day!!!!

redwhiteblue

[Elrond]

11 July 1804 – A duel occurs in which the Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Burr) mortally wounds former Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton).

Details of the duel are here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burr%E2%80%93Hamilton_duel).

Nice way to end a personal, political dispute. :rolleyes: But the most wonderful thing is how both participants went to great lengths to circumvent the law!

===========================

Also on 11 July, but in 1914: Babe Ruth makes his debut in Major League Baseball.

===========================

And on 11 July 1995: Over 8,000 Bosnian men and children (all Bosniaks) are killed by Serbian troops commanded by Ratko Mladic in Potočari near Srebrenica Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Details (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srebrenica_massacre))

[Elrond]

16 July 1941 – Joe DiMaggio hits safely for the 56th consecutive game, a streak that still stands as a Major League Baseball record.

One of the rare, almost untouchable records in modern sports. No one has gotten close to breaking the record, even at the height of the 'Roid Era!

[Doolipalally]

My sympathies today are with all those affected by the bomb blasts and shooting spree in Norway yesterday.

I visited Oslo a few years ago, and it's horrible to think of violence ripping through such a beautiful and peaceful place.

[spencer]

Thanks for posting, dooli. I share in your sympathies for this senseless and horrifying tragedy.

[Tetracapillactomist]

I have no words, just rage, sadness, and worry... I regret my two light-hearted posts before this in other threads.
Bloody animal, troglodyte, just that. 85, 98... harmless people, unable to defend themselves, 16-year old too...
Angry, sad, and worrying... angry. Just bouncing between those three.

[texlaw1992]

Latest report says he's a right-wing extremist who plans to "explain" his actions at his first hearing. Should be really interesting.

[Elrond]

The casualties are (at least) 93 killed and 90 wounded. Several people are still missing. So, the casualties are over 180!

May the wounded find healing quickly, and the bereaved families find patience, perseverance, and peace.

[Tetracapillactomist]

Patience, hell... skewer all neo-Nazis without further ado... piece of bloody-minded, murdering, fanatic supremacist shite.

Rest in peace all kinder ones that paid with their lives just to swell the body count of his bloody brotherhood... whose 'rights' are protected...

[Tetracapillactomist]

She was troubled, and she wasn't well.

She was twenty-seven years old.

[Elrond]

She was troubled, and she wasn't well.

She was twenty-seven years old.

Sadly, she's the latest member of the 27 Club (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/27_club). R.I.P

[Tetracapillactomist]

Wow... that is some list... Big names... Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendricks, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, Kurt Kobain...
Even Echo & the Bunnymen drummer Pete de Freitas is part of the list...

(And with "Saturn's return," bordering creepy and unsettling, regardless of astrology's lacking credibility...)

[Young Ned]

We found out Tuesday, four days ago, that our oldest cat Stevie had terminal cancer and severe kidney failure. Nothing we could do but make him as comfortable as possible, give him lots of love, and put him to sleep before he started suffering too much. He was only 8 years old; we thought it would be several more years before we started losing cats again, as the three previous cats we've lost were all in their teens before they died, and the last one just died last year. It just didn't seem fair.

Every time I've been near him for the past few days, I've stopped to pet him gently and tell him what a Good Boy he is. That's pretty much my highest praise for our cats, and he always loved to hear it. For a while he liked to lie under the china cabinet in the dining room; then he started going downstairs to lie in the foyer near the front door. He was so wobbly on his legs by then that I don't know how he made it down the stairs, but he did somehow. I think he may have been looking for a dark, secluded, private place to die.

I called the vet Thursday afternoon (two days ago) to schedule an appointment for him to be put to sleep on Friday. Unfortunately, the only time they had was the same time as my mom's doctor appointment, so I had to get a Saturday appointment instead. At the rate Stevie was going, though, I honestly wasn't sure he had more than a fifty-fifty chance of making it till then.

Last night, I put him on the bed between my wife and me and he stayed the whole night, probably because he was too weak to leave the bed. I think at least one of us had a hand on him at any given time during the night. He passed away in my wife's lap about two hours ago, with both of us gently petting him and giving him love, about three hours before he was scheduled to be put to sleep at the vet's.

My practice is that I'm always present when an animal has to be put to sleep. I want his (or her) last experience to be that someone he loves is there with him, stroking him gently and telling him he's a Good Boy and letting him know in every possible way how loved he is as he drifts off to sleep for the last time. It's a little harder when the pet dies at home, as you're never quite sure when they're going to die, but we managed it this time, too, and I'm glad. He had as close to a happy death as we could give him, which he deserved after all the happiness he brought us over the years. We're going to miss him a lot...

[Elrond]

Condolences, Young Ned! It is better that the boy passed away peacefully between the two people that cared most for him.

[scout1idf]

I'm so sorry Ned. I know how hard it is to loose a loved one like that.

All my best to you and your wife.

[texlaw1992]

Much the same thing happened to me. Jerry's mom had died of an illness two weeks or so before he died of the same illness. Jerry did not like to sleep in our bed, but he did the night before he died because he was too tired to move. He literally died in my arms. My deepest condolences.

[Young Ned]

Thanks, folks. It helps to know people care.

[Tetracapillactomist]

Sure, Ned. Like I said, I think you both handled it humanely and lovingly...
You have my sympathy for the loss of all those affectionate little creatures...

[spencer]

So sorry, Ned....truly very sorry.

[Scarbrow]

Sorry, Ned. My condolences. And a truly moving story, as well. You nearly brought me to tears, and I'm at work now...

Good people are often recognized by how well they treat their pets. You just showed how big your heart is.

[kaffe]

Ned do not know if you have ever heard of the rainbow Bridge poem but here it is.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

[Young Ned]

Thanks again, everyone, for the kind words. Kaffe, I have seen that before, but it's always worth seeing again. I'm not even sure I believe in an afterlife, but it still puts a lump in my throat...

[spencer]

Please just take a moment today, if you would, and remember the families that lost someone in the tragedy of the terrorist attacks in the US on 9/11/2001.

[Badstench]

Even in the midst of New Zealand's celebrations (the Rugby World Cup), we stopped to remember.

The USA team (the Eagles) played their first game on 9/11. We joined them at the memorial, then cheered them as loud as we could when they played later that day.

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard of the attack on the two towers... I was getting ready for work at 5am, and just happened to turn on the TV. At first, I thought it was a joke, or the filming of a possibility, but as I kept watching, I felt a creeping at the back of my neck... "This is real!"

I woke up all my flatmates to come watch.

I was late for work that day... very late.

[scout1idf]

I found out yesterday (9/22) that one of my Uncles (by marriage) died Wednesday morning in the hospital.

Due to family issues, I hadn't seen him in many years, but he will still be missed. I just wish that my Aunt could have set aside her issues and let the family be there for her.

We (the rest of the family) only found out because one of my Aunts saw his obituary while reading the news paper online.

Maybe, she will reach out to her brothers and sisters, I can only hope......

[Young Ned]

I'm sorry, Scout, both for the death of your uncle and for the family issues. :(

[scout1idf]

Thanks Ned.

[Tetracapillactomist]

My sympathies, Scout.

[spencer]

I am very sorry for your loss, Scout.

[Oldschool]

Condolences to you and your family Scout.

[scout1idf]

Thanks everyone....

[Oldschool]

Today is Veterans Day in the U.S.. Other countries refer to it as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day or Poppy Day.

A sincere thank you to America's veterans and those of her friends and allies.

[scout1idf]

Thank you Oldschool.

And to all of the other Vet's out there, Thanks to you and have a great day!!!
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-transport032.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-transport012.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)Scout.

[spencer]

Thanks to both of you. Of course, I would like to say a very heartfelt thank you to all the veterans also.

[Chareos]

A very sad and poignant Remembrance Day for me this year following the loss of two former comrades in arms. I will be raising a glass to them later and to all the others who have gone before them. We will meet up again for a few beers at the FRV in the sky lads.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

God Bless and stand easy.

[Young Ned]

In addition to all the veterans here on the forum, I'd like to thank my father and my wife's father and stepfather for their service as well. Thank you all!

[texlaw1992]

Mine is not a military family, but my mother's father served in the Polish cavalry in the 1920s, so a salute to all those who have honorably served.

[psychoadept]

Today, December 1, is World AIDS Day (http://aids.gov/).

Here is a video about a couple from my mom's church, one of whom died of AIDS last year:

http://youtu.be/IheluMm_U2c

[spencer]

Pearl Harbor, 70 years ago, please rememeber.

[scout1idf]

Just in case I don't make it to the forum over the next couple of days.....

Merry Christmas

and here's to having a

Happy New Year!!!

[spencer]

Happy New Year!!