To the families of veterans: Thank you for your love and support toward your veteran. Your sacrifices are remembered today, too.
To the WWII veterans who went ashore on 6 June 1944: the 70th anniversary of D-Day is coming up. The people of the entire world owe you a deep gratitude that can never be repaid. The best we can do is to try to pay forward your courage, dedication, determination, and sacrifice.
In memory of my mom and my uncles who served:
Olga - U.S. Coast Guard
Amos - U.S. Army, Silver Star
Hugo - U.S. Army, Purple Heart
Norman - U.S. Army
Lester - U.S. Navy
My wife and I attended a Memorial Day service at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery this year. Both of my parents were officers during WW II (Schneider, Grayle E, US Army, 1ST LT and Schneider, Robert A, US Air Force, MAJ) and are buried there. This particular cemetery is the 5th busiest state veterans' cemetery in the nation, averaging over 1,000 internments a year (gives another perspective on the Greatest and the Silent Generations, along with all those who have served since they have).
ReplyDeleteDuring the service there was the traditional fly over, but with a twist. In honor of the day, they also played the song 'Angel Flight' by Randy Foster.
If you are not familiar with the song (or even if you are), the following links will explain:
o Original Angel Flight music video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qZBFdvZDfM
o Remix of Angel Flight by someone in the military - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Ikj1hZDnw
- The above version also displays the lyrics.
- Read all of the accompanying text to gain a better understand the symbolism in the song.
- Note: The various pictures of flares around the C-130 are caused by deployment of flares as a defense against rockets (see http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap060822.html)
o 1st Anniversary Remix of Angle Flight by the same military person - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySHg2a0hcaY
o Story behind the Angel Flight recording - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgkxiqKj0nU
The song helps us civilians understand why soldiers are advised to not be a 'hero' when they are in a combat zone.
Additional symbolism during this Memorial Day service included:
o Battlefield Cross - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battlefield_Cross
o Missing Man Table - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_man_table
The service attendees were also honored by the attendance of a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Medal_of_Honor
Everyone should attend a Memorial Day service at a Veterans Cemetery or a Military Cemetery at least once in their life. Helps to put in perspective the 7% who safeguard the 100%.
Bob Schneider
Hello Mr. Schneider, thanks your great comment. I really appreciate what you put together in information and the links.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's not lost on you that one of the characters in Behind German Lines has your dad's name.
Warm regards from Iowa,
Ronn