Memorial Day thought OT

[D-train]

I was once about 3 hours into a 25 mile Road March. I was carrying my M 16 Rifle at port arms and had a 60 lb ruck sack on my back. It was July in central Missouri. It was about 95 degrees with nearly 100% humidity. I was drenched in sweat and had probably lost 5 pounds since the hike began. I was feeling so sorry for myself knowing that I still had 10 miles to march.

But suddenly something occurred to me that I shall never forget. There were no men hiding in the trees or forest or jungle wanting to blow my brains out. I stopped feeling sorry for myself at that very moment and the rest of the march was a breeze.

Bless those Boys that gave us our freedom with their hearts and souls.

[Michael K.]

Well said, and thank you for your service. And all the rest of you in here who have served. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone that has.

[gil]

Yes. Great post, and thank you all.

[maoling]

My favorite poem for Memorial Day, written by poet Louis Simpson, who was a young infantryman approaching the town of Carentan, France a few days after D-Day in June 1944.

I memorized this poem a couple years ago, so it is always with me.

Carentan O Carentan

Trees in the old days used to stand
And shape a shady lane
Where lovers wandered hand in hand
Who came from Carentan.

This was the shining green canal
Where we came two by two
Walking at combat-interval.
Such trees we never knew
.
The day was early June, the ground
Was soft and bright with dew.
Far away the guns did sound,
But here the sky was blue.

The sky was blue, but there a smoke
Hung still above the sea
Where the ships together spoke
To towns we could not see.

Could you have seen us through a glass
You would have said a walk
Of farmers out to turn the grass,
Each with his own hay-fork.

The watchers in their leopard suits
Waited till it was time,
And aimed between the belt and boot
And let the barrel climb.

I must lie down at once, there is
A hammer at my knee.
And call it death or cowardice,
Don't count again on me.

Everything's all right, Mother,
Everyone gets the same
At one time or another.
It's all in the game.

I never strolled, nor ever shall,
Down such a leafy lane.
I never drank in a canal,
Nor ever shall again.

There is a whistling in the leaves
And it is not the wind,
The twigs are falling from the knives
That cut men to the ground.

Tell me, Master-Sergeant,
The way to turn and shoot.
But the Sergeant's silent
That taught me how to do it.

O Captain, show us quickly
Our place upon the map.
But the Captain's sickly
And taking a long nap.

Lieutenant, what's my duty,
My place in the platoon?
He too's a sleeping beauty,
Charmed by that strange tune.

Carentan O Carentan
Before we met with you
We never yet had lost a man
Or known what death
could do.

[Walla Walla Dawg II]

I was once about 3 hours into a 25 mile Road March. I was carrying my M 16 Rifle at port arms and had a 60 lb ruck sack on my back. It was July in central Missouri. It was about 95 degrees with nearly 100% humidity. I was drenched in sweat and had probably lost 5 pounds since the hike began. I was feeling so sorry for myself knowing that I still had 10 miles to march.

But suddenly something occurred to me that I shall never forget. There were no men hiding in the trees or forest or jungle wanting to blow my brains out. I stopped feeling sorry for myself at that very moment and the rest of the march was a breeze.

Bless those Boys that gave us our freedom with their hearts and souls.

Thank you so much for your service. It's people like you that have provided the freedom that so many of us don't deserve.

[DavidGee24]

I was once about 3 hours into a 25 mile Road March. I was carrying my M 16 Rifle at port arms and had a 60 lb ruck sack on my back. It was July in central Missouri. It was about 95 degrees with nearly 100% humidity. I was drenched in sweat and had probably lost 5 pounds since the hike began. I was feeling so sorry for myself knowing that I still had 10 miles to march.

But suddenly something occurred to me that I shall never forget. There were no men hiding in the trees or forest or jungle wanting to blow my brains out. I stopped feeling sorry for myself at that very moment and the rest of the march was a breeze.

Bless those Boys that gave us our freedom with their hearts and souls.

Darren, I don't think I knew that you were in the service. What branch? Also, you have to post a pic. Here's one of me when I was in the Corps.

[D-train]

Army reserve. I have a pretty good pic but it is buried in my storage Pod. Great pic.