Memorial Day - 2010

I have to take the opportunity to ask this Question. "Can you make national headlines in an activity of war and not be remembered here in our land of the Free?" Can Viet Nam and its memories become so difficult that we give up remembering something that happened? I challenge you to look up and study "Shakey's Hill" a video documentary about the 7th Calvary in Cambodia. My schoolmate Chris Keffalos and his death upon discovery of the largest cache of weapons is documented. The video was completed in 2004 I think.... I did not find it til 2007. Of course his family and friends and his hometown never forgot him but the media did because I looked for this story for years until CBS former reporter Norman Lloyd, upon his retirement decided to document this story he filmed during the war. It was in our national headlines for several days. Lots of very interesting footage in this video. The nation for a long time did forget. I draw attention now to see if you can remember.

 

I find it rather odd maybe even macbre and weird when I see the nice clean white cross's of those whom fell and buried in France compared to those of the "other" side with dark grey/black rock in simulation of a worn cross.

strange but where were the crosses of those I dealt with in nam, not all were brought home, poor shreds of humanity collected buried in a tropical soggy wet and too warm depression amidst an all seeing jungle, or the ones blown to pieces stepping on mines while in the mideast, no one cares no one is able to find the remnants of that/those poor civilized person's............. does the memories fade, do they ever, will they ever ?? Victor no-one wants to talk about what happened in the 60's it is just that, it will be easily forgotten, even Korea even the mideast entanglement we are part of for the time being before we are carried off into another theater of the world it is inevitable.

so much odd and not conclusive materials with the recent happenings near Gaza two peoples cutting each others throats since the begining of time, yet we think we take a stand for those that have been ill-treated not really knowing the full circumstances, and yet really no-one gives a bloody H*** for those that have fallen for so many years, one can only imagine unless faced with it full stance a daily routine.

 

I just know whatever the war, they were doing it for their family, their people, their comrades, their country and for that, however unpleasant it may be, I hope someone will take enough interest to remember. The politicians decide the war, the heros make the sacrifices for all of us. When the soldiers serve, they will be remembered by me and to my capacity I will appreciate all of them. I take notice that in ancient history there are historians that spend large amounts of time studying the individual's they can find when described in what is recorded. I do not believe that they will be permanently forgotten. Their memories will live as long as man is around. Remember also that the pendulum always swings and that which was not once important may become once again a highlight and of great importance.

 

Well said Biak! Thank you for that. I know so many from Viet Nam and Korea days despair in what they experience from the public. I think times are changing away from that and you have some keys as to "what to do to participate" and how we remember.

 

appreciate both your stances on the Nam fiasco but one from that era will tell you we don't want to talk about all the misfortunes, and yes it will be forgotten because we want to forget it completely except for those of us that gave it all and did not come back, we are a misfit generation the govt. was totally in control of itself, and thought it was in control of us and made some very poor decision making from commanding general's down to the lowly private and back crew technicians servicing vehicles, arms and to typing behind a typewriter in some lonely protected sphere behind the lines. Life/war will take a different turn in the near future and those things that were will be nomore

 

Sorry for the late response, as I am on a home front hiatus from the internet. This Memorial Day, I spent remembering a friend lost in Afghanistan, a man I wish had been a friend lost in Iraq, and praying for a friend who served from 1959 until 1985. SFC Matt Blaskowski, KIA 9/23/07 FOB Vegas, Afghanistan. SGT Trevor Blumberg, KIA 9/14/03, Iraq. MSGT Jack Darga suffered a stroke just before Memorial Day. I have posted before on HOME in the past, well Jack has been instrumental in making it happen. We are waiting and hoping for him to recover and get back. We miss him. We miss Matt and Trev.