I've always liked this line from the "Ode of Remembrance". The "Ode of Remembrance" is an ode taken from Laurence Binyon's "For the Fallen", which was first published in The Times in September 1914. The poet wrote "For the Fallen" while sitting on the cliffs between Pentire Point and The Rumps in north Cornwall, UK.
On Memorial Day this year I would like to remember my friends and roomie Emilio (Marty) who died on 28 February 1984. Steve Ray, Eddy Clark, Larry Rainey, Jonathon Goerling, Roderick Gress, Emilio Martinez, and Victor Valle were killed during a parachute training mission when a U.S. Air Force C-130 transport plane, while attempting an emergency landing, crashed into a snow swept mountain in Spain about two miles northwest of the village of Borja.
Blue skies Steve, Eddy, Larry, Victor, Marty, Roderick and Jonathon. Pic is Steve Ray, we were so young then. Steve was one of our greyhounds, he could run forever at a pace you wouldn't believe.
FYI about Memorial Day: There seems to be some confusion out there about Memorial Day and it's meaning. Memorial Day IS NOT another Veteran's Day. Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service. We honor those who are currently serving or have served on Veteran's Day in November. This Memorial Day issue was brought up on several veteran boards this week. Some vets mentioned cringing when folks wish them a "Happy Memorial Day". We know they mean well but Memorial Day is a somber day when we remember friends and buddies who died while serving. It's a day of retrospection and mourning for us. Many vets head to the cemeteries to pay their respects to the fallen, that's where you'll find me on Memorial Day.
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