Once we got out of the city (I was about 10?) we moved into a working class (read: poor) neighborhood in the sticks.
The older boys there all volunteered.
That was how the working poor roll.
More than a few volunteered for combat infantry in the war zone.
To my knowledge, they all came back in one piece.
Changed, clearly, but they were the rough and tumble type.
I guess they wanted to fight like our fathers did in WWII.
Different war. Different tactics. Different outcome.
Not one volunteered for second tour.

I enjoy going to my favorite restaurant on Memorial and picking out a family with a veteran and picking up their bill. Shocks them when they ask for their bill and learn someone already paid it. But it's fun for me.

You did well, A high score myself, found what was left behind, (state side) left much to be desired.
Had a great job (School Command) but had to put up with idiots.
I moved around and wrangled an Honorable early out.

Yes, indeed, "Never Far to Fall".

Thank you to all that gave some, most especially to some that gave all.

To this day, I never understood why this country did what they did. (Take over Frances destain-to-fail attempt to hold power over a former colony).
And doing so with no clear path to victory.

I was 17 when the draft ended.
I was not a "Fortunate Son"
My two options were: College, or Canada.

I could have volunteered and (possibly) picked my deployment, I scored high on the aptitude tests they were actively administering in the high schools back then.
But I wanted no part of the machine, as it existed then.

Some of you may remember, a-way back in 2009, when the Kenyan was considering running mates (one who would serve as a foil to potential assassins).
BuyDumbs own colleagues were pointing out the fact (and publicly saying as much) that he wasn't up the the task of VP!

Even further back, when Teddy Kennedy was still alive and Donald Trump was decades from office, he asked Ted "who's the smartest person in Congress?" Ted hesitated a moment and said "there are good people on both sides of the isle" and mentioned a few.
When he then asked "Who's the dumbest?"
Without hesitation Ted replies: "Joe Biden"

We can all debate when Joe's marked decline happened, but it's clear, he never had far to fall.

Five children…. How awful! One child is way too many let alone five! Next year, I will include Bob and your family in my Memorial Day prayers.

I worked in DC as a Federal lobbyist for ten years.
What a trip! nb

Understood..Bob left five children and my poor sister. He was a very loving father and husband. nb

God bless you and God bless America. nb

Thank you, OUC! Ha, no matter what ship Biden steers, it is bound for disaster.

Thank you to all who served!

Thank you, OUC!
Love Buydem as captain of the "sinking" ship.
Now, how fast can we repair the damage from the
iceberg that the cheating SOB ran the country into?

I found Dale’s name on that “damned wall.” I rubbed my finger over it, and then found a nearby bench, sat down, and cried and cried. I am so sorry for you and all the others who have lost those that they love.

My husband was in the Korean Conflict and served two tours in Viet Nam. Both my boys served in the Army one Armored the other 101st Airborne but fortunately missed combats. I lost my beloved brother in law an Army Major in Viet Nam and his name is on that damn wall in Washington with so many other loved ones. I think of them today...one remains, my oldest son but he is a victim none the less...spent 30 months in Germany driving a damn tank and went deaf. Bless them all. nb

Classy. Same to you.

The grave marker with the words, “Those Who Gave All” says it all. Thank you, to my dear friend Dale who died in Vietnam. I love you, and I will never forget you.
To all in The Gulch, have a meaningful and happy Memorial Day.

Remember that cackles did not resign her Senate seat until the day before the swearing in. She was stunned that the deception actually worked to "win" the election.

Go with the firing squad!! They did not want to be identified - to avoid just such a (JUST) fate!

Thanks OGC!!!

To the 2 before the end one -Never forget

The very last meme with Joe Biden and a Mexican band pulled a horse laugh out of a dino.
Me dino had no problem with Trump's statement that began with "Joe Biden was not for Open Borders, etc."
Me dino has been saying that "handlers" were in control of their "Puppet-In-Chief" for at least half of Sleepy Joe's (p)residency.
Doubt anyone here recalls me writing that, at the start of Biden's State Of The Union Address, the glum expressions of his staff entering the chamber struck the dino as them not even wanting to show their faces.
Oops, why did the thought of a firing squad just now up and jump into me dino's prehistoric widdle head?

Didn't do so well backing the Mexican Sailing Ship up without scraping the Masts under the Bridge . . . he'll blame Trump for his failure . . .