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I propose a Veterans' Day toast.

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David Baldwin

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 29, 2004
860
1
0
Grand Rapids, MI
Today November 11th, is Veterans' Day in the USA.

To those who have served: I raise my glass in salute to you, and thank you for your service past.

To those who are serving now: I raise my glass again and salute your service now

To those who are serving now in harms way, be it war, or peace keeping away from the comforts of home and the love of family: I raise my glass once again for your sacrifice, your courage, and your grit. I then bow my knees in prayer for your safety, for your comfort, and for a swift homecomming.

To those who have died: I stand in silent salute to thank you for your ultimate sacrifice, never forgotten, never taken for granted, your gift to past present and future generations of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

To all solders who have served honorably, I salute you.


David Baldwin
U.S.Army 1989-1991
Michigan Air National Guard 1991-1992
Michigan Army National Guard 2001-2004
.
 

Pewter_of_Deodar

NewBee
Registered Member
Sep 23, 2004
1,867
0
0
68
Cedar Rapids, IA
My tribute...

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness,
And every gain divine.

May God have a special place in heaven for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice and may He comfort those that have lost loved ones in Iraq over the past few years...
 

David Baldwin

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 29, 2004
860
1
0
Grand Rapids, MI
...Mark DeVries...

The name sounds familiar, but I can't place a face with it.

I was with HHC 46th Brigade 38th Infantry Division out of Wyoming, Michigan 44th Street Armory.

Do you know what unit he was with?
 

Jmattioli

Senior Member
Lifetime GotMead Patron
My tribute.

May all soldiers lay down their arms.
May peace be ours at last.
May one to another do no harm
And bring them home real fast.

They go to war for noble thoughts,
That dance within their mind.
With loyalty and patriotic pride,
they leave their love behind.

So what is it I'm trying to say,
Without appearing bold.
That though I love them one and all,
Fighting war is cold.

We ought to think and very hard,
Before we go to war away.
Cause all the soldiers fight as though,
its worth the price they pay.

But time will prove that war is bad,
And best left, as last resort.
For soldiers on both sides will die,
and leave their families court.

So, though I served my time in war,
I never-the-less will say.
Its the soldier life for ignorance,
Of his government he'll pay.

Cheers, And heres to all those veterans,
Who serve that which they are told.
May someday they learn to lay down their arms,
And become so very bold.

Bold enough to think real hard,
And learn to say hell no.
I will not kill another human being,
Unless theres no where to go.

And so I end this poem at last,
No mead is in my hand.
As I mourn the violence and the hurt,
And thank God for this land.

Joe
 

Oskaar

Got Mead Partner
Administrator
Dec 26, 2004
7,874
8
0
34
The OC
To all Veterans, everywhere

I saw a man this morning
Who did not wish to die
I ask, and cannot answer,
If otherwise wish I.

Fair broke the day this morning
Against the Dardanelles;
The breeze blew soft, the morn's cheeks
Were cold as cold sea-shells

But other shells are waiting
Across the Aegean sea,
Shrapnel and high explosive,
Shells and hells for me.

O hell of ships and cities,
Hell of men like me,
Fatal second Helen,
Why must I follow thee ?

Achilles came to Troyland
And I to Chersonese:
He turned from wrath to battle,
And I from three days' peace.

Was it so hard, Achilles,
So very hard to die?
Thou knewest and I know not-
So much the happier I.

I will go back this morning
From Imbros over the sea;
Stand in the trench, Achilles,
Flame-capped, and shout for me.

By Patrick Shaw-Stewart, who was killed in action in 1917 in World War I. He wrote the poem on leave from Gallipoli.
 

ScottS

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 12, 2003
378
1
0
47
www.slezakfarms.com
...Mark DeVries...

The name sounds familiar, but I can't place a face with it.

I was with HHC 46th Brigade 38th Infantry Division out of Wyoming, Michigan 44th Street Armory.

Do you know what unit he was with?
No I don't. Tall, very Dutch, kind of a spaz, had an "incident" with a tear gas grenade once during a chem warfare training session. ;D
 

David Baldwin

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 29, 2004
860
1
0
Grand Rapids, MI
"...tall, very Dutch..."

That describes a fairly significant portion of the greater Grand Rapids area population! ;D

...tear gas... oh the stories that could be told...
 

ScottS

NewBee
Registered Member
Nov 12, 2003
378
1
0
47
www.slezakfarms.com
"...tall, very Dutch..."

That describes a fairly significant portion of the greater Grand Rapids area population! ;D

...tear gas... oh the stories that could be told...
Yeah, it's like living with a bunch of clones. ;D I couldn't think of more distinguishing features other than being a spaz. And I figured if he was in your unit and the incident had occured when you were there, you'd know exactly who I was talking about. :)
 

Suzy_Q_Brewmistres

NewBee
Registered Member
Sep 18, 2004
155
0
0
Thank you David Baldwin for soluting our men & boys.

I toast....

My hubby as a vet.

My son in law heading for Iraq this Jan.

My father as a vet.

My father in law as a vet.

And all the ancestors in my family who have fought in battles of Civil War to The Revolution.... I think of thee.

:-* Suzy Q, Brewmistress
 
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