Hurricane Sandy and "The Old Guard"

[Richard S]

[Douglas]

Hooah!

My father is interred at ANC. Many years ago, with him, I was able to visit the Tomb Guard's quarters at the site. Most impressive group of Americans.

[Richard S]

Hooah!

My father is interred at ANC. Many years ago, with him, I was able to visit the Tomb Guard's quarters at the site. Most impressive group of Americans.

I join a grateful Nation in saluting your father and the row upon row of his fellow national heroes buried in that sacred ground.

[scaatylobo]

Hooah!

My father is interred at ANC. Many years ago, with him, I was able to visit the Tomb Guard's quarters at the site. Most impressive group of Americans.

I join a grateful Nation in saluting your father and the row upon row of his fellow national heroes buried in that sacred ground.

A hearty and PATRIOTIC amen to this poster.

These men make SO proud of our armed forces.

As do those in the line of fire = each and every day.

[billmc]

Seeing stuff like this always chokes me up!  I was attending the NCO Academy and during the course, Memorial Day weekend happened.  As part of the course, they flew us to DC, and even off duty, we were required to be in Uniform.  This happened to be the weekend the dedicated the Viet Nam memorial statue (not the wall).  It was difficult to see all the Vets (read Vet as Patriot) that had fought and sacrificed in the past.  I was particularly aware of the reception given to those who had returned from Viet Nam.

In '85, I just happened to be on duty when Hurricane Gloria visited New England.  That storm isn't even comparable to this, but I do remember leaning into the wind at an angle (which normally would have caused me to fall flat on my face), just to walk across the compound.

The draft had ended by the time I enlisted.

Nowadays there are two things that really piss me off.  The people that have disdain for those who are actually wiling to sacrifice of themselves in order for us to continue to enjoy the freedoms gained by those who have gone before.  The other is the lack of education of the younger people coming of age.  I visited my niece in NJ this past June, for her high school graduation.  In April, she turned 18.  I asked her and she said she had no intention of voting this year.  This fall she began college as a freshman.  She wasn't even sure who the current Vice President is.  She lives very close to places significant in the Revolution (Trenton, Valley Forge, etc) and she had no idea what role these things placed in history.  I don't think I can blame her, instead I think the blame goes to her parents and the education system.

Is it any wonder that our society is backsliding the way it is?  I'd like to voice my thanks to all those at Arlington, those standing guard and those they are standing guard over.

I don't recall who said this, but I believe it to be true; "Those who forget the past are doomed to relive it".

[thor447]

God bless them.  Prayers sent.

[Richard S]

* * *
I don't recall who said this, but I believe it to be true; "Those who forget the past are doomed to relive it".

QUOTATION: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
ATTRIBUTION: George Santayana (1863-1952), Life of Reason, "Reason in Common Sense," Vol I., Ch. 12 (1905-06).

William L. Shirer made these words the epigraph for his monumental work, Rise and Fall
of the Third Reich (1959).

There have since been many variations of Santayana's original observation, including the one you recalled.

_____

May a merciful God grant that the lessons of our Nation's past, the sacrifices of those who made our present freedoms possible, and the dedication of those who are now in harm's way working to preserve those freedoms will be remembered, understood, and honored by enough of our citizens to ensure that this Nation shall long endure.

[Douglas]

In '85, I just happened to be on duty when Hurricane Gloria visited New England.  That storm isn't even comparable to this, but I do remember leaning into the wind at an angle (which normally would have caused me to fall flat on my face), just to walk across the compound.

You didn't just happen to be at Devens in '85 did you?

[billmc]

In '85, I just happened to be on duty when Hurricane Gloria visited New England.  That storm isn't even comparable to this, but I do remember leaning into the wind at an angle (which normally would have caused me to fall flat on my face), just to walk across the compound.

You didn't just happen to be at Devens in '85 did you?

Nope.  Air Force not Army.  I was actually at a small Air Guard base in RI.  Combat Communications Squadron.

[Douglas]

Nope.  Air Force not Army.  I was actually at a small Air Guard base in RI.  Combat Communications Squadron.

-Ahhh. My Dad was the AG at Devens in '85, that's why I asked. Colonel's housing. Nice post.