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I love going to patriotic music concerts. The best part is when the band breaks into the the military service branch songs medley and the band leader asks members of the audience to stand when their song is played. The rythmic clapping and singing, punctuated by loud applause as each groups stands is always a touching moment as reluctant, but proud, heroes accept the undying gratitude of their countrymen. A grateful commonwealth and country appreciates Virginia’s and America’s veterans!

Armed Forces Medley
Performed by the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus 

Video produced by DoctorXProducer

(Navy)
Anchor’s aweigh, my boys, anchor’s aweigh,
Farewell to college joys, we sail at break of day
Through our last night on shore,
Drink to the foam until we meet once more,
here’s wishing you a happy voyage home!

(Air Force)
Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
Climbing high into the sun;
Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,
At ‘em boys, Give ‘er the gun!
Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,
Off with one helluva roar!
We live in fame or die in flame
Nothing’ll stop the U.S. Air Force

(Marines)
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country’s battles
in the air, on land, and sea!
First to fight for right and freedom,
And to keep our honor clean,
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine.

(Coast Guard)
So here’s the Coast Guard marching song,
We sing on land or sea.
Through surf and storm and howling gale,
High shall our purpose be.
“Semper Paratus” is our guide,
Our fame, our glory too.
To fight to save or fight to die,
Aye! Coast Guard, we are for you!

(Army)
First to fight for the right,
And to build the Nation’s might,
And The Army Goes Rolling Along
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battles won,
And the Army Goes Rolling Along
Then it’s Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army’s on its way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong
For where e’er we go,
You will always know
That The Army Goes Rolling Along.

The retired Army Lt. Colonel who was the commandant at the military high school I attended would tell us that the purpose of giving people off from work and school on holidays was so we would remember the significance of the day and perpetuate it. So, remember, dear readers, today is Veterans Day, not Memorial Day. Too often the days are considered synonymous (see Military.com). While we should always keep in our prayers, especially after recent events, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and their families and friends who bare an unthinkable emptiness in their lives, let’s remember today is the day to thank all those who served and returned.

For many, however, coming home didn’t mean instant joy. Whether through an unspeakable stress, severe physical injury or a prejudice of an ungrateful people, our veterans have carried a burden beyond the battlefield. Let’s be sure to thank them today, and all days, for their selflessness, while still keeping those who committed the ultimate sacrifice in our prayers. Then, maybe, we’ll learn to keep certain holidays for the intentions of which they were meant.

So, Happy Veterans Day to all those who proudly wore the uniform of our great nation. To those who bravely served, and still bravely serve, their fellow Americans in defense of our country and freedom around the world, we proudly offer you our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt and sincerest thanks. To those who served or still serve as Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Air Men, Reservists, and in the Coast Guard and National Guard, we offer a salute to your heroism and service to our country and freedoms.

Click here for a slide show tribute to our vets.

Click here to learn more about the holiday and how we can thank them.

We Stood For Freedom
Roger J. Robicheau
Former U.S. Army Specialist Fifth Class

We stood for freedom just like you
And loved the flag you cherish too
Our uniforms felt great to wear
You know the feel, and how you care.

In step we marched, the cadence way
The same is true with you today
Oh how we tried to do our best
As you do now, from test to test
How young we were and proud to be
Defenders of true liberty.

So many thoughts bind soldiers well
The facts may change, not how we jell
Each soldier past, and you now here
Do share what will not disappear
One thought now comes, straight from my heart
For soldiers home, who’ve done their part.

I’m honored to have served with you
May Godly peace, help get you through
And now I’ll end with a request
Do ponder this, while home at rest
America, respect our day
Each veteran, helped freedom stay.

©2002 Roger J. Robicheau/TheHolidayZone.com 

Nothing irks me more than our cultural illiteracy — and of all of our massive misunderstandings of American culture, nothing has come to be more misunderstood in recent years as Memorial Day.

It’s almost understandable since most people get their education from the media, most of whom could not be more unqualified. Every year, for the last several years, this weekend no exception, it’s the same mantra. I can’t tell you how many times this weekend already I’ve heard or read on the radio, television or in print: “Thank the troops this weekend, thank a vet.”

Yes, we should always thank our soldiers, seamen, Marines and airmen; and members of the Coast Guard, National Guard and reserve units; and veterans of all the service branches. Our police and firemen as well. But that’s not the meaning of Memorial Day.

From the American Heritage College Dictionary:

me•mo•ri•al — n. Something, as a holiday, intended to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or event.

Me•mo•ri•al Day — n. May 30, observed in the United States to commemorate members of the armed forces killed in war, officially observed on the last Monday in May.

The point being: We should always thank our vets and active duty military; they are with us now and are constant reminders of the sacrifice and diligence needed to protect our country and preserve our freedom. Plus, they have their own days: Veterans Day (November 11) and Armed Forces Day (May 17). But Memorial Day, as those very same vets will tell you, is to honor those no longer with us, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of America. Those who birthed our freedom and left us with it intact, and a society in which we can be so carefree as to picnic, sunbathe and vacation on what is such a solemn day. From the Revolution to Iraq and Afghanistan.

We can’t thank them in person. The least we can do, one day a year, is to honor them and pray for them, as well as for the families of service men and women recently departed. We should do it more often than once a year. But at least one day. Today. Memorial Day.

MEMORIAL DAY
by
C. W. Johnson

We walked among the crosses
Where our fallen soldiers lay.
And listened to the bugle
As TAPS began to play.
The Chaplain led a prayer
We stood with heads bowed low.
And I thought of fallen comrades
I had known so long ago.
They came from every city
Across this fertile land.
That we might live in freedom.
They lie here ‘neath the sand.
I felt a little guilty
My sacrifice was small.
I only lost a little time
But these men lost their all.
Now the services are over
For this Memorial Day.
To the names upon these crosses
I just want to say,
Thanks for what you’ve given
No one could ask for more.
May you rest with God in Heaven
From now through evermore.