firefly662 Loc: Warren, MI

Thank-you Brent, you guys are wonderful with your thoughtful comments. It means so much to me on this holiday.

:)

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

It's survival guilt - if you can get to DC, go to the Korean Memorial on the Mall and commune with their memory - it helps .

lollipop Loc: Michigan

Civil War re-enactment. I have a lot of great front-facing shots, but not sure I could use them without permission of subjects, so I opted no to. Let us remember all..............

Off we go.......


A soldier and his horse...


In remembrance

lollipop Loc: Michigan

Amen to that Keepsake!

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

This is an excellent shot, most assuredly passes on a most profound message.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Hal, you did it up right! Your yard is *beautiful*! How many acres do you have?

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

Thanks Ugly Jake, yes, i have been to D.C. and stood by the "Wall" and wept. I remember going to the Korean memorial and watching a platoon of Marine recruits being talked to by their CO. And after, he saw me watching and asked if i had been there, and i told him no, but my older brother had been. That he was a Navy corpsman (fleet marines) attached to the 1st. division, 5th marine mortar co. who came out of the Chozen with "Chesty Puller." We talked for quite a while, and although he had never been in the Korean engagement himself he felt the same as i did. We stood in awe.
Rich

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

I know this doesn't have anything to do with Memorial day, but just for your info and pleasure everyone here on UHH...........here is the link to MagicFad's first thread with photos here on UHH.
I think you will see why the avatar is "Kansas":
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-122064-1.html

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

If for no other reason I posted this thread, it can be for you to help know that there are compassionate Americans here on UHH that sympathize with you. You are not alone firefly662.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

#3 is an amazing photo that really sets the tone of this holiday. Thank you lollipop.

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

Jake, I fully understand what you are refering to but what Rich is feeling is something a lot of us still felt irregardless
of our accomplishments in the past.
Pesonally in 4 years time ,my squadron was deployed to Nam 6 different times on 2 different carriers. I flew over 450 sorties into North Vietnam and made it back home in one piece. A lot of my friends weren't that fortunate, John McCain and Jim Stockdale for two took the long way around to get back.
I would have willingly stayed in and continued on with what I was doing but responsibilities at home came first. For a long time I felt that there was more that I should have done especially whenever I thought about my friends. Like your explanation I considered it a type of guilt but a Navy Doctor explained it as feeling of regret, regret that I failed to accomplish a goal set inside of myself.
He helped me to understand that there comes a time when one has to acknowledge that they did the best possible all things considered and to let go of those feelings.

Rich did the best he could and there is nothing to hang onto especially any feelings of guilt.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

You have given me a lot to think about, UP 2 IT, even in my old age, there are things that i have to come to grips with, but your words are making me think.
thanks
Rich

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Thank you UP2IT for sharing your thoughts about the guilt feelings that Rich is having. It has much more clout coming from you since you are a Vet with Nam combat experience. Rich, he has some very valid points and I agree with him that you should just let it go. You have to understand what you have control over and what you don't. In this particular situatioin, you didn't have any control over. I'm thinking that maybe this thread was an inspired thread to comfort you and also firefly662 in her grief over her nephew. If it has brought peace to both of you, then it's been a very positive thread.

BrentHarder Loc: Southern California

Thank you UP2IT for sharing your thoughts about the guilt feelings that Rich is having. It has much more clout coming from you since you are a Vet with Nam combat experience.

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Rich, my son, John, was also with the Marines..went to Okinawa with them and spent time at Twenynine Palms (they call it "20 Stumps"!). He also went on ships to Iraq twice and on the ground with the Army to Afghanistan, for which he was awarded a Bronze Star for saving a Sergent's life. He's changed. He's just not his bubbly, happy self anymore. I asked him about PTSD and he said, "I have it!", but he not really dealing with it. He's out of the action now, stationed at Portamouth Naval Hospital as a Chief Petty Officer. He's not enjoying it much, but once in awhile he seems to be back to his old self when he's playing with his 2 1/2 year-old son. I miss my "old" John.