Remembering this Memorial Day

gs34 · May 25th, 2009, 08:42 AM

The Things They Carried.
by Tim O'Brien

They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches, dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, canteens, iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP rations, and C-rations.
They carried fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets and steel pots.

They carried the M-16 assault rifle.
They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine guns, M-79
grenade launchers, M-14's, CAR-15's, Laws, shotguns and .45 caliber pistols.
They carried C-4, hand grenades, PRC-25 radios, knives and machetes.
They carried malaria, dysentery, ringworms and leaches.
They carried the land itself as it hardened on their boots.

They carried stationery, pencils, and pictures of their loved ones.

They carried love for people back in the real world and love for one another.

They carried themselves with poise and a kind of dignity.
Sometimes panic set in and they fired their weapons blindly and begged for the noise to stop while making crazy promises to themselves and God.
They carried the traditions of the United States military, and memories and images of those who served before them.
They carried the soldier's greatest fear: the embarrassment of dishonor.
They crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced under fire.
They were afraid of dying, but more afraid of showing that fear.
They carried the emotional baggage of men who might die at any moment.
They carried the weight of the world.
They carried each other.
Remember those Vietnam Vets who made the ultimate sacrifice this Memorial Day

drake · May 25th, 2009, 09:32 AM

No truer words could be spoken. Thanks Bro.

DonT1985 · May 25th, 2009, 11:06 AM

Thank you for this post. I hope every one on this forum reads it. I salute all of our brothers and sisters who stand up and put it all on the line. This post brings a tear to my eye. I AM A VIETNAM VET

NEWHD74FAN · May 25th, 2009, 03:40 PM

DT1985...thank you for your service and those who serve and have served. There are not enough words of praise or grace that can be said to those and their families who have given the ultimate sacrafice...

The Tank · May 25th, 2009, 06:24 PM

Good post. Thanks gs34.

173ABN · May 25th, 2009, 06:28 PM

Great post thanks
vietnam 68-70
land of the free because of the brave

larryjmiller · May 25th, 2009, 07:16 PM

I rode my bike to the Pierce Bros memorial in Westlake Village. This is the 6th year I've attended, first time I rode the bike. Was awesome as usual. A C117 flyover. The plane was made in Long Beach CA and the boys flew it out from Edwards AFB.

Very moving as we had another local lad killed by the enemies.

i was again glad I was in the Navy. We did our part, but were very lucky that we were not a statistic in Viet Nam. We prayed for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and for those lucky ones that put their lives on the line so that so many civilians could enjoy the freedoms that we have.

Please say a prayer for the parents and families that have loved ones in harms way.
Larry

May 25th, 2009, 08:42 AM	#1
gs34 Contributor$ Ride: 2007 FLHTC Join Date: Apr 25th, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 607	Remembering this Memorial Day The Things They Carried. by Tim O'Brien They carried P-38 can openers and heat tabs, watches, dog tags, insect repellent, gum, cigarettes, Zippo lighters, salt tablets, compress bandages, ponchos, Kool-Aid, canteens, iodine tablets, sterno, LRRP rations, and C-rations. They carried fatigues, jungle boots, bush hats, flak jackets and steel pots. They carried the M-16 assault rifle. They carried trip flares and Claymore mines, M-60 machine guns, M-79 grenade launchers, M-14's, CAR-15's, Laws, shotguns and .45 caliber pistols. They carried C-4, hand grenades, PRC-25 radios, knives and machetes. They carried malaria, dysentery, ringworms and leaches. They carried the land itself as it hardened on their boots. They carried stationery, pencils, and pictures of their loved ones. They carried love for people back in the real world and love for one another. They carried themselves with poise and a kind of dignity. Sometimes panic set in and they fired their weapons blindly and begged for the noise to stop while making crazy promises to themselves and God. They carried the traditions of the United States military, and memories and images of those who served before them. They carried the soldier's greatest fear: the embarrassment of dishonor. They crawled into tunnels, walked point, and advanced under fire. They were afraid of dying, but more afraid of showing that fear. They carried the emotional baggage of men who might die at any moment. They carried the weight of the world. They carried each other. Remember those Vietnam Vets who made the ultimate sacrifice this Memorial Day

May 25th, 2009, 09:32 AM	#2
drake Community Guru Wannabe Ride: 1996 fatboy Join Date: Oct 12th, 2008 Location: ashland,ky. Posts: 1,160 My Mood:	Re: Remembering this Memorial Day No truer words could be spoken. Thanks Bro.

May 25th, 2009, 11:06 AM	#3
DonT1985 Start The Engine Ride: 2005 Dana Low Rider Join Date: May 24th, 2009 Location: Stockbridge, Ga. Posts: 14 My Mood:	Re: Remembering this Memorial Day Thank you for this post. I hope every one on this forum reads it. I salute all of our brothers and sisters who stand up and put it all on the line. This post brings a tear to my eye. I AM A VIETNAM VET

May 25th, 2009, 03:40 PM	#4
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 3,716 My Mood:	Re: Remembering this Memorial Day DT1985...thank you for your service and those who serve and have served. There are not enough words of praise or grace that can be said to those and their families who have given the ultimate sacrafice... __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

May 25th, 2009, 06:24 PM	#5
The Tank Contributor$ Ride: 2008 Electra Glide Standard Join Date: Feb 21st, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 341 My Mood:	Re: Remembering this Memorial Day Good post. Thanks gs34.

May 25th, 2009, 06:28 PM	#6
173ABN Start The Engine Ride: 1993 SOFTAIL Join Date: Jan 26th, 2009 Location: Naples Fl Posts: 30 My Mood:	Re: Remembering this Memorial Day Great post thanks vietnam 68-70 land of the free because of the brave

May 25th, 2009, 07:16 PM	#7
larryjmiller Play The Throttle Ride: 2009 Road King Join Date: Aug 25th, 2008 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 163 My Mood:	Re: Remembering this Memorial Day I rode my bike to the Pierce Bros memorial in Westlake Village. This is the 6th year I've attended, first time I rode the bike. Was awesome as usual. A C117 flyover. The plane was made in Long Beach CA and the boys flew it out from Edwards AFB. Very moving as we had another local lad killed by the enemies. i was again glad I was in the Navy. We did our part, but were very lucky that we were not a statistic in Viet Nam. We prayed for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and for those lucky ones that put their lives on the line so that so many civilians could enjoy the freedoms that we have. Please say a prayer for the parents and families that have loved ones in harms way. Larry

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Remembering this Memorial Day

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