From Wikipedia:
Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (in 2008 on May 26). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country.

From Lindyy:

The true meaning of Memorial Day never hit me until I lost my dear friend, David Garth Finnegan. How strange it is, David was home on leave, left for Viet Nam a few days later. I will never forget and cherish forever our last conversation.

My Honor to my beloved Friend David:

DAVID GARTH FINNEGAN
Army - SGT - E5

Age: 21
Race: Caucasian
Sex: Male
Date of Birth Mar 17, 1948
From: PITTSBURGH, PA
Religion: PRESBYTERIAN
Marital Status: Single

DAVID GARTH FINNEGAN

SGT - E5 - Army - Selective Service
101st Airborne Division

Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Jun 20, 1968
Casualty was on May 18, 1969
In THUA THIEN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS
Body was recovered

Panel 24W - Line 40 (Where David's name is located on the "Wall.")

AND

I also want to pay tribute to my neighbor, 30 year old Jason Kazarick,who died April 7, 2008. Jason grew up with my two sons, being good friends with my youngest son Jaime.

Army Spc. Jason C. Kazarick, 30, died when insurgents in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City - Baghdad - Iraq - opened fire with a rocket propelled grenade.

Jason was posthumously given the "Purple Heart" and the "Bronz Star.

Jason was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment based in Vilseck, Germany.


BOTH young men freely enlisted, David hailing from a military family, both loved their country and wanted to fight for our freedom and the freedom of others.

I am hoping, that while many of you are out with family and friends and having picnics, get togethers, that you could take just a few minutes of silence in HONOR of all the men and women who gave their lives for our country.

Perhaps you know someone that you would like to mention and pay a special tribute to him/her or even them.

THIS IS NOT A THREAD FOR CRITICIZING, IT IS FOR THE HONOR OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES FOR YOU, ME AND EVERYONE!!


John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Thank you for the thread and a BIG THANK YOU to all the military personnel for giving us the freedom and safety to enjoy this day with friends and family.

Name: Corporal Jason Patrick Warren
Died: July 22, 2006
Age: 29
Hometown: Quebec City, Quebec
Children: none

Unit : The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada (Montr�al, Qu�bec)

Corporal Warren was killed in a suicide bomber attack near the Kandahar air base. He was a member of the Black Watch.

Thank you to all our Men and Woman and their families. As I am grateful to wake up to the freedoms they have given me and to the one's I will partake to tomorrow. God Bless you; God Bless your Families.

Thank you!