Monday, May 31, 2010

This Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day, let us honor the memory of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedoms.

The following is an excerpt from Robert Sherrod's eyewitness account of the Battle of Tarawa, one of the bloodiest battles in World War II.

The fifteen of us - I think it was fifteen - scurried over the side of the amphtrack into the water that was neck-deep. We started wading.
No sooner had we hit the water than the Jap machine guns really opened up on us. There must have been five or six of these machine guns concentrating their fire on us... It was painfully slow, wading in such deep water. And we had seven hundred yards to walk slowly into that machinegun fire, looming into larger targets as we rose onto higher ground. I was scared, as I had never been scared before. But my head was clear. I was extremely alert, as though my brain were dictating that I live these last minutes for all they were worth. I recalled that psychologists say fear in battle is a good thing; it stimulates the adrenalin glands and heavily loads the blood supply with oxygen.

I do not know when it was that I realized I wasn't frightened any longer. I suppose it was when I looked around and saw the amphtrack scooting back for more Marines. Perhaps it was when I noticed that bullets were hitting six inches to the left or six inches to the right. I could have sworn that I could have reached out and touched a hundred bullets. I remember chuckling inside and saying aloud, 'You bastards, you certainly are lousy shots.'
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7 comments:

Memorial Service at 10:00 said...

I just found out by accident while having breakfast at the diner that Aberdeen holds a Memorial Day Memorial Service this morning at our town hall at ten o'clock. Maybe it would be a great idea to use the elctronic board in front of town hall to let people know of such an important event. That board moves fast when it is used.

Here is another suggestion. Most every town lists the services they hold in the local papers far in advance of the actual event so that people can attend and honor our servicemen and servicewomen who served to keep us free.

I am a little insulted that our town leadership or someone does not let anyone know of such a service does occur. My late husband served and I would like to suggest people be better informed of such things.

I thank all of our service people who allow us to be free in the land we loved.

KoreanWarVetCB said...

The ceremony was nice. I agree that it could have been better attended with a little public notice.

Anonymous said...

The last time I read that sign it said something about click it or ticket. I agree though it could be better advertised. People especially children need to know the true price of freedom from such ceremonies. People died to allow them to play video games and text their friends in a free AMERICA..

Anonymous said...

While I know this may spark more ill remarks I just wanted to clarify a few things. The memorial service at at town hall is NOT put on by the town. The fire department coordinates and puts on this memorial service. This service is held at the firefighters memorial and the town council, first aids, police department and representatives from the local VFW are invited to attend. It is in no way intended to take away from anyone.
The veterans memorial was held at noon at the VFW post on Cliffwood Ave. in the Cliffwood Beach section of Aberdeen

Anonymous said...

WHILE I RESPECT THE SERVICE HELD THAT DAY FOR ITS INTENT I QUESTION WHY IT IS SINGULAR IN ITS PURPOSE AT TOWN HALL FOR POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST AID. AM I WRONG TO THINK THAT MEMORIAL DAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY. DON'T GET ME WRONG I HONOR AND RESPECT ALL THOSE WHO ATTENDED SUCH A SERVICE BUT IS IT NOT A DAY TO HONOR THE MILITARY. I AM CERTAIN THAT SOME OF THOSE WHO SERVE IN THESE IMPORTANT PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES HAVE THEMSELVES SERVED IN THE MILITARY BUT IT SEEMS COUNTER TO THE TRUE INTENT AND HISTORY OF THE DAY. IF THIS WAS A CEREMONY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKERS AND THE LIKE I AM GOOD WITH THAT. THAT IT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN UNPUBLICIZED FOR THE PUBLIC TO HONOR AND THANK SUCH SERVICES AND THEIR MEMBERSHIP SEEMS COUNTER TO THE DAY ITSELF. THESE SERVICES AND THE BRAVE VOLUNTEERS AND EMPLOYEES ARE CRUCIAL TO THE DAY I JUST DON'T SEE THIS SPECIFIC DAY WITHOUT PUBLIC ATTENDANCE AND INVOLVEMENT BEING WIDELY PUBLICIZED AS TRULY HONORING MEMORIAL DAY.

Anonymous said...

While you don't understand, let me try to explain. The service is held for those firefighters we have lost in the past year and those in years past. You may notice the same type of service in the surrounding towns do the same while I do not know what they do for the Military, if any, whether they include them or not. While we invite and are attended by the local VFW, the VFW holds there service after ours for which the Fire Companies are invited to attend also. This is a Day that we can honor our fallen members and those who are invited and those who attend, invitees and residents, we thank you to pay rememberance. Thank YOU also for your support.

Kauff injustice no peace said...

Just got I would write the governor and ask him for his help with our Kauff problem. It was very easy to do and took about five minutes. Doubt it Kauff people? I hope you do doubt my post this evening. Keep doubting us who seek to rid aberdeen of Kauff and his corrupt helpers.

Kauff injustice!

No peace!

For Kauff that is of course!