Memorial Day....important!

[Guest Donna Jean]

Well, the party starts in a few hours here in the states....

It's the big Memorial Day 3 day weekend...

So, I want everyone to take a minute and look through these names..these are all veterans that served and are members here at Lauras...

Betcha never realized that there were so many of us!

These people and others like them made it possible for you to be doing what you're doing today...safely and in comfort...

If you see a Vet this weekend...a hugg or handshake is in order.....OK?

If I miss your name here...please PM me so I can add it...OK?

Love & Huggs

Donna Jean

A1C

Combat Loadmaster

C-130/C-141

Laura...(Yes, her!)

Mary Ellen

Lizzy (Elizabeth K)

Angie

Sharleah Lynn

Gina 9223

Willow Ann

Emily Ray

Gennee

Anira

Vivian

Karen 1954

Baliey

Louanna

Kaitlyn88

Danielle J

Katie 019

Adorable

Lydia

Jessie 72

V Lee

Bethanhy

Sheilka

Nadeest

Cathy

Donna

Chad Michaels

Valentine

Bulldog (Mike)

JaymeA. Lee

Traci

SuzanneCO

Mia1

Sherri girl

lil.Michelle.lea

Amie

Konner

Karma

Lisa F

Miz Melissa

Victoria F

Dionne

Gloria 13

Stacy Nichole

Kara Michelle

Steven

22JCinDenver

Susie

Kassidy

Pammy

PhylisCD

Tiffany Amber

Jack G

Karin

Tamara Ann Valla

Mandy Sue

Emily Rose

Alex is Alex

Sukee

Wendae

All of these people gave up some of the time in there lives so that you wouldn't have to.....

Lets honor them and then get back to the party.....

"Gimme a beer"

*POP*

"Dana....... Leggs......this one is for you!"

Loved you guys....

Donna Jean

[Guest NatashaJade]

My deepest gratitude to all of you who put yourselves on the line to protect us and fight for us.

luv

Gin

[JJ]

You each and every one have my honor, thanks and respect

With Gratitude!

JJ

[Carolyn Marie]

Thank you, one and all. You're my heroes.

HUGS and a salute!

Carolyn Marie

[Guest Opal]

Yes, Thank you so much for you service and sacrifice!

Huggs,

Opal

[Paula ult]

A big hug to those that served to keep out country free.

{{{{{{ HUG }}}}}}

Paula

[Guest Janis]

To all of you

THANK YOU!!!!

Janis

[Guest NatalieRene]

My salute goes out to all of you fine people that have helped make this country what it is. Thank you.

[Guest My_Genesis]

Cheers!

Wow, there are a lot of you!

Thank you!

[Guest sarah f]

I toast and say Thank You to everyone that is serving or has served any branch of the millitary.

Love,

Sarah F

[Guest Melanie Dawn]

While I don't agree with much of what our military is doing atm (Afghanistan/Iraq), I do appreciate your efforts and your service.

thank you

Melanie Dawn

[Guest Donna Jean]

While I don't agree with much of what our military is doing atm (Afghanistan/Iraq), I do appreciate your efforts and your service.

thank you

Melanie Dawn

I agree with you, Mel......

Kinda weird, but, although I was totally against the war in Vietnam, I served there.....

It was 9-10 years in when I got there with 5 more to go....

Sometimes I wonder why I didn't have what it takes to just not go, but, when you're 19 you pretty much do what your government asks of you....

But, like in "The Charge of the Light Brigade".....

"Ours is not to reason why....

Ours is but to do or die"

I think back on that once in a while....

Donna Jean

[JenniferB]

I salute the service people in our country. You have my deep respect.

Love Susan

[Sally]

I wish to salute everyone who has served in their country's armed forces - the ideology behind the government had no bearing on the personal commitment and sacrifice that each has made.

So as you are enjoying your time off, eating and drinking - remember everyone who served no matter the uniform they all did it for their governments, friends and families.

Thank you for doing the job that has to be done to keep this crazy world going.

Love

Sally

[Guest Cris]

Thank you ladies and gentlemen for protecting our borders, protecting our rights and idiologies. Thank you for keeping me safe.

Cris

[Guest Evan_J]

Awwww. Happy Memorial Day.

[Guest Sannara]

When the call was made, you took a place on the wall to defend your nation and all of us in it, and I want to thank you.

Enjoy the day, You earned it.

--OOO Sannara

[Guest Micha]

*cracks open a cold one* Cheers to our veterans, people of amazing substance!

[Guest Valerie1]

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.

/Hugs to you all.

Would like to wish you and my fellow Veterans a very safe and happy Memorial Weekend.

Donna;

Sorry I did not send this reply via PM. I am still on my vacation and using my laptop and it will not let me log on as Valerie. Not sure why.

Any way I retired from the Navy on 01 May 2005. Spent little over 20 Years stationed on five different Submarines during that time. Was on deployments for both Gulf wars. I spent 7 monthes in the Gulf of Arabia during Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. My submarine also played part in Jessica Lynch's rescue.

/Hugs to you all.

/Salute do my fellow Veterans.

Love

Valerie

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Happy Memorial Day!

Thanks to all who have served!

[Guest viv]

What is a Soldier ??. A do for ,yes . A killing machine , yes . A defender of his /her Country, yes .And more.

There is another side to the coin tho , a Soldier is a candle in the dark , the hand reaching out to help . So

many times this will cost the soldier too much . To all men and women in Uniform who serve to bring peace

to our world I offer you my humble respects . (to my brother and his son ,,I love you both ) . Long life to you

Donna Jean <<to you and your Comrades . viv.

[Guest ricka]

My dear dear sisters and brothers who have served (and some who are still serving) in the military, I have a special affection and feeling of gratitude to each of you. I was a student when the first draft lottery happened during the Vietnam War. My # came up 349. I never will forget sitting around the tv with my friends of draft age watching that first lottery being drawn. I was lucky--some of my friends were not. Ever since that time I would look at someone who'd been in Nam and wonder if this was the person who'd Fate had sent in my place. Today my dear, dear nephew just came back from his first tour in Iraq. He saw his best friend from West Point blown apart. Later this year he is to be deployed to Afganistan. My heart breaks for my nephew. He was a 2 pounder at birth and I was the first family member to hold him in my arms. Subsequently he graduated with honors from West Point and married a wonderful woman. Now I know how a mother feels to have one of her own in combat and the suffering that he must endure and live with. So to all of you vets and you who are currently in the military, a big hug and i wish for a moment i could hold you to my breasts and tell you i love you.

Ricka

[Guest i is Sam :-)]

While i'm not an american I'd still like to thank you all for your service and your sacrifice, I stand in awe at your bravery.

I'd also like to say just how horiffic I think it is, that had you or they known, the military wouldn't have wanted any of you. And yet each and every one of you have proved your worth far beyond that of what should be asked of a person.

Thank you.

[Bulldog1948]

Dee Jay,

Thank you for the Vets list. And yes, there are quite a few of us "Old-Rascals", still puttering or was it muttering around. LOL...

Mike

[Guest Anira]

Here is a bit of history for everyone about our military for everyone on this Memorial day weekend.

The navy, army, and marines were created in 1775 by acts of the continental congress. the cores of these groups are what formed the foundations for their current respective branches. The 1787 adoption of the Constitution gave the Congress the power to "raise and support armies," "provide and maintain a navy," and to "make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces," as well as the power to declare war and gave the President the responsibility of being the military's commander-in-chief. The US Coast guard dates back to 1790 when it was known as the Revenue Cutter Service. It merged with the US Life-Saving service in 1915 to become the Coast Guard we know today. The Marines Became part of the US Navy in 1834. The marines success at Cuzco Well (Guantanamo Bay, Cuba) proved their usefulness as assualt troops. when employed with the fleet, marines gave the added power for the capture and defence of advanced bases which became a primary mission of the Marine Corps in 1968. The airforce dates back to 1907 with the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps of the US Army. they became their own independent branch of the military in 1947.

all of the brave men and women who have served in these branches whether as active duty, National guard or reserves have earned their place in history among those who brought these services into existence and made them what they are today. when you hear the words "the worlds largest Navy", "the Worlds strongest Army", "The worlds fiercest warriors", "the worlds most advanced Air Force", or ANY other such phrase don't scoff it off as mere bragging. the men and women of every branch of the US Department of Defense under which the US Armed Forces fall have given their all to make those statements a fact. All of them have given so much. many have given far more than anyone could ask of them, and some gave their all up until their very last breath. Remember those who have fallen in the field of battle, be it land sea or air. on our own shores on hundreds of miles from home on lands foreign and unknown to them. Remember those of us who are still serving our country today. Doing what we must to keep all those at home that we care for and everyone safe.

for those of you who are against our presence in Afghanistan please know that fighting isn't the only things we are doing out here in Afghanistan. All the branches out here are working to help rebuild and repair a country that has known nothing but war and fighting since before our nation came into existence. Helping them to become a prosperous country that doesn't have to rely on criminals to fund their economy. and trying to encourage them to drive said criminals out of their country and take control of things and teach them how to take care of them selves. we are teaching them medical knowledge they can use to help their people and prevent a great deal of suffering. we are bringing schools to their children so that maybe one day they will be able to become the new leaders of their nation and lead into a better age. one of prosperity.

The last thing i shall ask of you all. is for those of you that pray and those of you that don't or communicate with higher forces in other ways. do what you can to keep everyone in your thoughts in some form and help bring our men and women back home to those who are waiting for us.

Much love to service men and women and to all Americans from your sister serving out here in Afghanistan, making sure as many of our men and women out here make it home safely as she can.

Anira