Always remember reason for holiday

Published: May 25, 2008 6:00 a.m.

Always remember reason for holiday
Written by EMERY McCLENDON
Recently we witnessed the return of the 384th Military Police Unit to our city. It was a joyous occasion for those involved. Fort Wayne, Allen County and many areas around us have seen the deployment of a large number of friends, neighbors and relatives over the past few months. This Memorial Day weekend gives us the opportunity to share our support, thanks and appreciation to those who serve our country in the U.S. military.

As we reflect on the importance of this holiday, let’s remember our troops, veterans and retired military members who have given so much to keep us free. Some have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy our outdoor activities and our family gatherings.
Ten years ago an organization started by Alice Wax fought to have the month of May declared National Military Appreciation Month.

The president and Congress have made this a reality. Now it is up to us to keep this month alive by paying our respect and remembering those who give so much to help us remain free. While we are enjoying our cookouts and other activities, our troops are suffering in over-110-degree heat in the sand. They are separated from loved ones and friends during their deployments serving for us.

EMERY McCLENDON Fort Wayne

Please to do forget to visit: ARMAD Amateur Radio

Memorial Day 2008

Memorial Day 2008
Written by Ulruke Wheeler, Berlin

One Sunday in May, in - what must have been - 1987, I went to the Church Service at the ACC (American Community Chapel), at the Huettenweg. I remember it being a sunny Sunday morning, the church was crowded, as usual, and I had no idea what special day it was until the Chaplain started talking about the meaning of Memorial Day and his own service in Vietnam.

It’s not always a war that costs a service member his or her life, this is not only about the casualties of the Civil War, WW I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, Sept 11th or OIF and OEF.

When the Allied and US Forces were still stationed in West-Berlin there was the Nicholson Library, now part of the Allied Forces Museum, which also includes the former US theatre THE OUTPOST. I’ve been a regular in both places.

Major Arthur D. Nicholson Jr. http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/nicholsn.htm was stationed in Berlin when he was killed while on duty, in 1985, under circumstances that were – strange, one might say.

Then there were two young GI’s in 1986 who died when a bomb went off in a prominent club in West-Berlin. http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/197513.aspx

I remember a deadly accident when my husband and his unit were in the field on a training exercise.

Lockerbie – a member of the unit passed in that bombing, flying home for Christmas, in 1988. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan_Am_Flight_103


Throughout the many years, the US military was stationed in West-Berlin, soldiers lost their lives, protecting freedom in West-Berlin – like they do to this day in so many known and unknown places around the globe.

They are not forgotten, their families are not forgotten.

***

To live in the hearts of those we love
is not to die.

A visit in the Alliierten Museum, Berlin

All photos from "A visit in the Alliierten Museum, Berlin"

are made by Ulrike Wheeler, Berlin.

AlliiertenMuseum e.V.
Clayallee 135 - Outpost 14195 Berlin-Zehlendorf

Telephone +49 / (0)30 / 81 81 99 -0
Fax +49 / (0)30 / 81 81 99 -91
E-Mail info@AlliiertenMuseum.de

Opening hoursdaily except Wednesdays

10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Free entry

Do you kow the The Allied Museum?
This musem documents the history of the Western powers’ presence in Berlin
from 1945 to 1994. A great exhibition! The museum includes the world-famous
guardhouse from Checkpoint Charlie and more....

Ulrike and Bennie are in the Allierten Museum in Berlin.
Here are their pictures!

Ulrike, a Soldiers` Angel, too!
Since 2004 she helped us to suppport wounded heroes
at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

In the museum...

An American soldier...

WWOWW what is going on?

Here is Bennie, Ulrike`s son!

Ulrike and the FOUR!


What for a nice picture!
It looks that Bennie and Ulrike had a great day there!

Pictures you must see:
Sergeant Elvis Presley im Alliiertenmuseum

THE DAY THE WALL CAME DOWN:

The History Behind the Sculpture

View the IMAGE GALLERY

http://www.verylgoodnight.com/wall.htm

Bennie! What for a great picture!

The Day the Wall Came Down, is a tribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall!
And it was given as a gift from the United States to Germany in 1998.

Later both visited the cemetery:

Waldfriedhof Dahlem,
Hüttenweg 41, 14053 Berlin

Rest in Peace Soldiers!
And Thank You for your Service!

25. Mai 2008 Memorial Day 2008

"American Spirit"

To the troops around the world!

We are glad that the Americans have done so many good things for us Germans since WWII. I remember that my grandmother told me so often that our family was so glad to receive care packages from our American friends.

The Americans have brought us freedom and they have helped us to rebuild our country. In the last 60 years the Americans protected our lives in the time as it was necessary. Over the years our countries have forged bonds of friendship.

Thank you for your service!

Willie

Arlington National Cemetery

See the video here

Video: 2008 'Flags-In' ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
Video by Rick Vasquez,

Stars and Stripes online edition, Thursday, May 22, 2008

Comrades, Loved Ones Provide Reminders of Memorial Day's Meaning

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 23, 2008 - To many Americans, Memorial Day means a day off from work with picnics, pool openings and barbecues. But for those who have lost a comrade or loved one in combat, the day takes on a whole new significance. Here are some of their stories.

A mass grave marker at Arlington National Cemetery honors the 12 soldiers killed when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was shot down near Baghdad on Jan. 20, 2007. Courtesy photo (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available.

Army 1st Lt. Brent Pounders Army 1st Lt. Brent Pounders remembers his childhood, reading textbooks about patriots who have sacrificed their lives through the country's history and thinking of Memorial Day as the end of the school year. "You think about it, but [its meaning] really doesn't hit home or register as much until you lose some of your dear friends and realize that their families are affected by this and what it actually signifies," he said....

Read the full story here:
Comrades, Loved Ones Provide Reminders of Memorial Day's Meaning
Fri, 23 May 2008 09:33:00 -0500

Wesley and Peggy Bushnell stand beside the riderless horse that honored their son, Sgt. William Bushnell, during El Paso, Texas' homecoming parade for 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Feb. 27, 2008. Wesley Bushnell walked with the horse during the parade as a tribute to his son, who was killed in Iraq. Photo by Donna Miles Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution

Carolyn and Keith Maupin fight back tears during a memorial service honoring their fallen son, Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, at the Army Reserve Command headquarters at Fort McPherson, Ga., May 22, 2008. Photo by Timothy L. Hale Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution

Mullen Cites Importance of Remembrance in Memorial Day Message

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 21, 2008 - Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cited the importance of remembering the cost of freedom in a Memorial Day message to the armed forces.

His full message follows: "'Let no ravages of time testify to the present or the coming generations that we, as a people, have forgotten the cost of a free and undivided republic.' "With that solemn promise, Army General John Logan signed the order in 1868 that established Memorial Day. We have honored his promise faithfully ever since, and this year -- with our nation still at war and a new generation of heroes fighting and dying for freedom -- we will do it again....

Read the full story here:
Mullen Cites Importance of Remembrance in Memorial Day Message
Wed, 21 May 2008 15:12:00 -0500

Biographies: Adm. Mike Mullen

Arlington 'Flags In' Tribute Begins Memorial Day Commemoration

By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 23, 2008 - More than 3,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines officially kicked off the Memorial Day commemoration last evening as they placed 265,000 miniature flags at every grave at Arlington National Cemetery.

The tradition, known as "Flags In," dates back to 1948, when soldiers of 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as "The Old Guard," began the annual Memorial Day tribute. This year marked the fifth year company-size elements of sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen joined about 3,000 soldiers in placing a U.S. flag at the base of the gravestone and columbarium niche of every single servicemember buried or inurned at Arlington. Yesterday afternoon, the troops fanned out across the cemetery's hills and valleys, carrying rucksacks bulging with bundles of flags. They approached each headstone, centering a miniature flag exactly one boot length from the base before sinking it into the rain-softened ground....

Read the full story here:
Arlington 'Flags In' Tribute Begins Memorial Day Commemoration
Fri, 23 May 2008 07:30:00 -0500

Related Sites: Arlington National Cemetery

Commentary: So Which One is Memorial Day?

By Army Sgt. Jerome Bishop Special to American Forces Press Service
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, May 23, 2008 - Not long ago while I was sitting at my desk at work, a fellow soldier presented an interesting question, not because of what it was, but because of why he asked it.

"So what's Memorial Day, again?" the soldier asked. This kind of disturbed me. As it turns out, the confusion came from the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. While both are federal holidays to remember our nation's servicemembers past and present, only one commemorates the living. The one that doesn't is May 26, the last Monday in May. That one would be Memorial Day. I just never thought I'd have to explain that to someone....

read the full article here:
Commentary: So Which One is Memorial Day?
Fri, 23 May 2008 10:21:00 -0500

(Army Sgt. Jerome Bishop serves in the Multinational Division Baghdad Public Affairs Office.)
Related Sites:
Multinational Corps Iraq
Multinational Force Iraq

National Moment of Remembrance

Written by David Bancroft FounderUSA Patriotism!"
In case you haven't done so yet . . please mark your calendar on Memorial Day (May 26, 2008)) for 3:00pm your time . . . to participate in the National Moment of Remembrance. Just 60 seconds of your time!

The National Moment of Remembrance does not replace traditional Memorial Day events; rather it is an act of national unity in which all Americans, alone or with family and friends, honor those who died for our freedom. It will help to reclaim Memorial Day as the sacred and noble holiday it was meant to be.

In this shared remembrance, we connect as Americans.
And please tell your loved ones and friends about the National Moment of Remembrance!

Sincerely,

David Bancroft
FounderUSA Patriotism!
"Love and Pride of the America"