Makes you think... and remember.

it's a shame how a day made to honor our fallen heroes and sites like this to commemorate them result in more bickering between men, and on a forum. war is a terrible thing. it's an injustice to the men and women who gave their lives to fight amongst ourselves.

I have to say I feel sad when I see all this sadness in these photos..I do not understand as well what it means to be a patriot..Nor I understand how the freedom of Americans was endangered by Vietnam,Iraq etc..All I see is thousands of lives that vanished to ensure that corporations and the economy in general will prosper in the future..I feel sorry for the families of these people who died in all these wars...Feeling proud for their death will not bring them back,will not compensate for all the dreams they had for themselves and their beloved ones..And what about freedom?Seriously all of you people who are claiming that you are free are you so sure about that?..

Finally if God exists I am sure he loves and blesses all his creations not just Americans..Isn't it a bit egoistic to say God bless America?..I'd rather say God bless life bless all the people in this world so we may finally one day live in peace with no wars..Freedom comes from one's mind and heart not from wars or government policies..

"16.
God bless you, dear ones, who lost loved ones that we might enjoy freedom. God bless America is my daily prayer.
Posted by trudy deal May 25, 09 01:48 PM"
Why just America, why not anything else, or something more specific?

"26.
Problem with "No war" is a few little things like...
No war, no English language, just Russian, or German.
No war, no Jews.
No war, no female education.
No war, no internet, vote, and just the bad guys to murder you and your family.
The soldiers in the photographs above sacrificed themselves for all these things.
So think again."

When someone says no war, he means no war. That means, no Germans attacking too. Yóu think again.
And internet was likely to be developed in a different sector anyway.

I am the same age as the women in #5 and #20, and married. I cannot even imagine what it must be like to be in their place. I am awed by and grateful for their sacrifice and that of the soldiers they loved.

that was amazing with the solider and sad

How is this a time for discussing the rights and wrongs of war. Today is not that time I can assure you. Thanks to all those put their lives on the line.

Thank a vet if you can read this in English and reply with the freedom of speech that you continue to enjoy!

I'm from the UK and we celebrate our war dead at other times of the year, but these pictures for USA memorial day sums it up for all countries that send their men and women to war so that we will I hope live in peace one day. Some of the pictures are very sad indeed, but the one I think sums up what all the nations fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan is about, is No 22. That young woman was Jewish yet she gave her live in a country that some there do not recognize her religion, let alone that she is a woman. God bless and protect all the troops in the war zones.

Number 5 is really touching

I really want to honor the people who served our country in person but I cant because they are serving our country right now, and the people who died for our country are going to be with God and I will honor them till the day I die and they mean alot to our country, and I love the photos It makes want to cry for all the things they done so thanks.

Some of us remember our Veterans... and others - like the President, go golfing.

#54. For all those that support and thank military members for their selfless sacrifices so EVERYONE can potentially enjoy the freedoms so many take for granted every day, I, as a military man salute you.

For all those who disagree with war and the sacrifices us young men and women voluntarily endure so you can speak your mind freely, I, as a military man salute you as well.

For this "freedom" of speech and "freedom" from repression is one of the many reasons so many of us, past and present place our lives in harms way everyday. God Bless America...past, present, and future

=====================================================

It can not be said any better. I join in thanking and saluting.

Have we all forgotten that, except for a brief period in history, our brave troops joined the armed forces voluntarily? Many of the bloggers here act as if all of these men and women died having no choice. No, our soldiers choose to serve....knowing full well that they may die in the course of duty, and yet they do so willingly! How many of you can say the same? Instead of whining about whether or not war is just, why not try for a moment to appreciate the magnitude of bravery it takes for our soldiers to sign up and put their lives on the line? The very least we can do is respect their choice and honor their memory. Thank you "Big Picture" for sharing these beautiful images, and for doing so without judgement.

Ah, blind patriotism : keeping power unquestionned since Roman imperators.

My deepest respect for all US soldiers. We will never forget what you did for us in WW2.

My first reaction to some of these very negative and political comments was rather rude. I won't dishonor these men and women who laid down their lives for the freedoms that we all enjoy by saying what first comes to mind. The first of those freedoms is the right of expression. If you are so morally superior to these fallen soildiers that you can disparage and mock their sacifice you are a better man than I. I can not mock or disparage or even imagine their love for country and their fellow man. No greater love can a man show than to lay his life down for his brother. You may not agree with why they were called to war, but they were called. They answered that call. And they died for that call. They died for you and your right to mock them. And they would do it again. For you.

God please bless them, have mercy on their souls and comfort those that love them, in His name I pray. Amen.

MAY CHENEY AND RUMSFELD PONDER THESE IMAGES FOR THE REST OF THEIR DRAFT-DODGING LIVES !

To post 117.

Those are the 9 [i] simplest [/i] steps anyone could ever follow! Why didn't I think of that?!?!?!?!

Deep respect from Holland after seeing these emotional touching pictures. Eventhough politically Europe and US haven't been on the same path some years now, it is clear the USA is the only country that makes sacrifices to make the world safer. No UN or equivalent does it. The EU countries talk and let genocide in Africa take place, where thousands of christians are slaughtered. Talks about sending a few soldiers to Afghanistan.
Remember European politicians may not always be on your side, a large number of people in Europe certainly aren't on the opposite side!

Make Babies not war

Fighting in a desert in the middle east does not make America more or less free, fighting in America to rebuild America would make America once again free.

Allow us this day to morn our fallen brothers. You can have the other 364 for political posturing, we have seen to that.

D Double
GySgt USMC Ret.

HAY YOU GUYS IM VERY SORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPEND TO UR FAMILY NAD I REALLY HOPE YOU WILL BE OK. ALWAYS I WILL LIKE TO THINK YOU GUYS FOR FIGHTING 4 US AND I REALLY APECSHATE IT.

i hate war its dumb theres no point of shotind and blowing people up ... for what? to get what u want ? i never new what memorial day was until today ...seeing all thous graves ....R.I.P

So God should bless people who kill other people..This is somehow controversial ain't it?Excuse me if I am wrong but I've read some stories of soldiers who fought in Iraq and in their former life in the States they were extremely poor or even homeless..Many of them signed in order to join the army just because they were offered the chance to have a daily meal..I totally respect these people who died please do not misunderstand me but I think that we should learn to think in a new way rather than believing that our nation is the best or that we are God's messengers..Anyone who thinks that Iraq is now free should read the news..How many people lose their lives daily because of terrorists?..

I read yesterday that Confederate soldiers from the Civil War are honored on Memorial Day which I found to be somewhat interesting because in today's world, Confederate soldiers would be viewed as traitors. Reading that made me think that if the Confederate soldiers are being honored, why not the Native Americans who died defending their land - land that the white man took from them? I found that to be a bit disturbing....

And no, I'm not a Native American.

war is never the answer !

Think that all this young people gave their lives for piece could make quite easy to take it. But the truth is that too many families was destroyed for nothing. Iraq continue under destruction, we continue under threat of terrorism and nobody prooved that Iraq had made nuclear weapons. How many young men, full of dreams lost their lives alone and noboby could help them?

My sons both serve this wonderful country... My deepest thanks to all the families of our fallen.. We are all in debt to them and all our countries heroes!

that was sad but cool at the same time

For those who say that war is never the answer... yeah, that would be nice. But when you're getting shot at its hard to remember that you're against people shooting.

I'm not too fond of it, but strength is the answer. The relative world-wide peace of the last fifty years has come about from extreme strength. similar to pax romana the pax americana has put a stop to the world wars that started in the 1760s and have re-occured every 30 to 50 years from then.

If you object to america's strength than the solution is for you to join with it and soften it through strong aliances like NATO.

BTW to #117... 1984 does have a happy ending. Our hero is sufused with love for Big brother as the long awaited bullet enters his head. How many of us will die so happily?

No one prays for peace like a soldier at war.

God Bless America and all the people who serve

as much as some people seem to think that war is evil, and in order to have peace then we shouldn't go to war, that logic is EXTREMELY flawed, and based on a hippie mentality. the REAL truth is that war is inevitable, and it's something that every generation has to be a part of, no matter HOW many people die during the course of it. another truth is that as long as there are people that believe in terrorism, there will be a need to defend our basic freedoms. in case any of you hippie-minded people have not yet noticed, FREEDOM ISN'T FREE. freedom costs, and there is ALWAYS a price to pay, no matter what generation we're talking about. it's the same as when hitler was trying to take over the world. those of you that claim that war is so "evil" are basically saying that we shouldn't have stood and fought against hitler's evil schemes and plans, and was a good guy.

War. War never changes.

NO WAR....NO DEATH
You people are living in peace and FREEDOM paid for by the BLOOD of MEN and WOMEN who had more HONOR in there little finger then YOU have in your intire body .
On this day HONOR THEM , tomorrow start studing a new language . Guess which one ? Are you ready ........ or will you be one of the one's that always say how did this happen ??????????????????????????????

Wonderful pictures, as always. I salute the brave men and women in the American armed forces, and those who have previously served. It is fitting that their sacrifice be honored, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. On Memorial Day every year, I set aside the question of whether or not they died for a noble cause, and whether or not these wars are/were just. War is not simple, and never good, but sometimes it is what must be done. That is why they serve, and I will honor their service, and not trouble this particular day with the difficult questions of why and whether or not it was right. The rest of the year we can do that. On Memorial Day, I simply honor them. They have given up their freedom in order to defend mine. Thank you, men and women of the Armed Forces. Thank you, veterans. Thank you, widows and orphans and others left behind. We civilians will never fully grasp your sacrifice, though we benefit from it. God bless you all.

CANCER exists in this world. Thank you to all who fight the cancer. Do we ignore North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, etc.? LH Santa Clara, CA

It's a sad thing to realise that seeing these pictures will not be enough to stop the wars.

We have to wake up and evolve, people.

All Gave Some, Some Gave All.

My grandfather was a POW in world war 2 and was liberated weighing 72 pounds in a Nazi Death March. I doubt most of us comprehend what it is like putting your own life down on the Altar of freedom.

All Gave Some, Some Gave All.

God be with our troops.

I would like to extend my sincere heartfelt thanks to everyone that has or is currently serving in the military. I lost my Dad several years after his return from a POW camp in Korea, although he never talked about his experience as a POW, I heard several stories from his Army buddies after his death of the things they had to endure. There is not a soldier anywhere that wants to be at war, however they go for all of us.
Thank you for all you do.

In response to 144 re: Honoring Confederate Soldiers. At its founding our country was a voluntary union of independent states that gave up very specific powers to a federal government and retained to themselves other powers including the power to dissolve that voluntary union. What we call a "Civil War" was not a war between factions in a country; it was a war between two countries - the United States of America and the Confederate States of America. They were one country before and after that war. After the war Confederate soldiers had to take an oath of allegience to the United States to regain their citizenship.

Thank you to all of those who have worn the various uniforms of this great country while protecting the freedoms we so cherish. Thank you also to their families for the time spent away from your loved ones while they keep us safe. No matter what your feelings are on the various wars fought by this country in its history, we must always give thanks for those who put country before themselves and keep us free. God bless you, stay safe, come home soon. And God bless you family members, keep strong, think good thoughts, send love to your loved ones. God bless the United States of America.

First things first, my heart goes out to all friends and family of war victims as well as men/women over seas.

Secondly, to all ignorant people out there, I don't think you truly understand. I'm in the US Air Force and while I respect your words, I also disagree with them completely... but how does it make you feel that I would willing DIE for your right to say your words?

"It is only the dead who have seen the end of war" --Plato

Thank you for this tribute... Tears in my eyes... I'm 51, and I still dream of a day, a time when people will learn we can live without war, without violence...

I think many commenters here are under the impression that these deaths brought freedom to someone else; but I think that most of the deaths served the political\economical interests of a small group of people.

Just think about it - how does Vietnam threaten the freedom of americans? Do you even know where Vietnam is located?

Power-hungry people are very skilled at camouflaging their true intentions, don't let yourselves be fooled.

War is hell.

yep, guys i know itz hard without fight for freedom in our bad world and blaah blaah... but invasion to iraq is a peacekeeping action? or afganistan?

thatz modern invasion! with a easy naive media tactic...
im from germany, i learnd a lot about wars, and special our history... and all i learnd was the result.... TALK WITH EACH OTHER... and not, money hate anger... this guys died cause a country needs stuff... to make more money...

In Second World War we were liberated by American, English and Canadian troops. These brave soldiers gave there lives for our freedom.

We must never forget that.

But when patriotism becomes more important than freedom, there is no good reason to fight.

Dont start a fight because you feel better than anyone else.

"Just think about it - how does Vietnam threaten the freedom of americans? Do you even know where Vietnam is located?"
how did vietnam threaten the french?

may all my fallen brethren rest in peace.

@71 -- Any idea how many countries were "free" in 1776? You balk at the notion that America is the greatest country in the world -- so who would you suggest leads the world in religious freedom, economic prosperity (i.e. productivity, creativity, hard work), property rights, foreign aid, etc.?

Many other countries have had great success implementing similar policies and government systems -- they've worked hard, and it's a wonderful thing.

But you bring up a good point -- *we* didn't make the US what it is, the Founding Fathers and our progenitors did. We're like the spoiled grandchildren of a rich man. Similarly, I bet you didn't do much to make your country what it is either. The bottom line is you take the best that history has given you, and do your best to take those lessons and make your home and country as good or better.

Comments like yours encourage folks to "throw out the baby with the bathwater" -- instead, let's take the good, discard the bad, and ignore the ignorant.

To the others critical of the US's wars, ever wonder why the US flag doesn't fly over France, Germany, and Japan? How about Iraq and Afghanistan? What did the US get for its efforts? How did those countries end up?

(And lastly, Iraq has everything to do with 9/11! When you've just been horribly attacked by extremists operating out of rogue states, you look at other rogue states who continue to threaten you -- Saddam Hussein was [by all accounts] building WMD which would be sold/given to terrorists and smuggled into the US. Pres. Bush was stunned to find out there weren't any. Hindsight is 20/20, but I for one, sleep better at night. And so, I imagine, does the Iraqi soccer team.)

War is not answer for any question And people can understand it only near grave

It is a very good day to [re]think about "why we fight"?
This movie could help: http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/

I have so much respect for these people. There doing things most people cannot, risking their lives for their country.

Respect and love.

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount up to and including LIFE. This is honor, and there are too many people in this country who no longer understand it." (Author Unknown)

The Sailor's Creed

I am a United States Sailor.
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America
and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.
I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy
and those who have gone before me to defend
freedom and democracy around the world.
I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with
Honor, Courage and Commitment.
I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

I am a U.S. Arrmy retired 1 /SGT.
I regreat that all the people that only think about how it should be never ever put their selvs in the line of fire. Today is only for the (DEAD) All that gave treir lives for us to live as we do.
Again my regreat is that all of the nay sayrs don't go live in the countrys that have NO FREEDON and then realy see what it all about.
PS just ask the old people of FRANCE, GERMANY, ENGLAND,JAPAN, KOREA, PHILIPPINES, THAILAND. They will tellyou why all the AMERICANS DIED IN THERE COUNTRY'S.

BEAUTIFUL! THANK YOU.

I am very grateful for the U.S. efforts during WWII. If America hadn't fought the war in the pacific my dad would have died in a japanese pow camp and therefore i would not have existed, it's that simple.
I owe America my existence and therefore i say thanks every year in Normandy (next week) and in Bastogne, the Ardennes, Belgium (every december). I don't have the money to go to asia so i'll say my thanks in Europe, where i was born and which would also have looked a damn lot different if America hadn't paid with its blood and guts to free it from the nazis.
So i'll say it again: thank you America!!

S

There are only two wars in which Americans fought, and where Americans still occupy the ground fought over... our War of Independence, which threw off the tyrannical yoke of British brutality, and the War between the States, where the Union invaded and subjugated the South. In EVERY OTHER confilct where we've fought, the places where we fought have been restored to their people. And in every one of those conflicts, there were factions active in those countries that directly threatened OUR freedom and sovereignty. Read history, it is plain. Otherwise we would now occupy almost the entire world.

Great photos. Those guys deserve nothing less then all the respect we can give them.

And to all those who are bitching on here, you disgust me. The least you can do is show some respect for these people without always having to voice your stupid liberal political anger. We all know you hate America, you have made yourselves very clear. Now shut the hell up and show some respect...

It is by learning from our experiences and the experiences of those around us that we honor those who provided the lesson. Learn from the past, be proactive about spreading peace, don't get into wars that are not warranted. That is how we honor the dead, their commitment and their bravery, by not repeating the same mistakes and putting more of these men and women in the ground.

We're bigger than war. There has to be another solution.

i respect and appreciate those who serve. in recent history, i have neither sentiment for those who sent them to do so...

With God On Our Side
Bob Dylan

Oh my name it is nothin'
My age it means less
The country I come from
Is called the Midwest
I's taught and brought up there
The laws to abide
And that land that I live in
Has God on its side.

Oh the history books tell it
They tell it so well
The cavalries charged
The Indians fell
The cavalries charged
The Indians died
Oh the country was young
With God on its side.

Oh the Spanish-American
War had its day
And the Civil War too
Was soon laid away
And the names of the heroes
I's made to memorize
With guns in their hands
And God on their side.

Oh the First World War, boys
It closed out its fate
The reason for fighting
I never got straight
But I learned to accept it
Accept it with pride
For you don't count the dead
When God's on your side.

When the Second World War
Came to an end
We forgave the Germans
And we were friends
Though they murdered six million
In the ovens they fried
The Germans now too
Have God on their side.

I've learned to hate Russians
All through my whole life
If another war starts
It's them we must fight
To hate them and fear them
To run and to hide
And accept it all bravely
With God on my side.

But now we got weapons
Of the chemical dust
If fire them we're forced to
Then fire them we must
One push of the button
And a shot the world wide
And you never ask questions
When God's on your side.

In a many dark hour
I've been thinkin' about this
That Jesus Christ
Was betrayed by a kiss
But I can't think for you
You'll have to decide
Whether Judas Iscariot
Had God on his side.

So now as I'm leavin'
I'm weary as Hell
The confusion I'm feelin'
Ain't no tongue can tell
The words fill my head
And fall to the floor
If God's on our side
He'll stop the next war.

@177 - it's interesting that you say to respect those who fought, sacrificed and died to protect our freedom, then rail against those for simply freely espressing their thoughts.

you sir, by attempting to hush the freedom of others, by name calling those YOU disagree with and by questiong the patriotism of those YOU disagree with are disrespecting those who fought and died defending the freedom that gives us the right to disagree.. you seem to be the one that hates freedom, which is what this country is based on and why these honorable servents of this country sacrificed.

"you," by telling "me" to "shut the hell up" disrespect them and this county's ideals far more than someone questioning why they were sent to fight and die.

i love this country, i disagree with it often, loudly. the fact that i can is the reason i love it so much.

Huge thanks to all our servicemen and women. HUGE thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are the best of the best!
No one COMPARES to YOU!
Thank you for protecting This Country!
We, your fellow citizens wants to say, " THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING!"
OUR HEARTS GOES OUT TO THOSE WE LOST and especially mine.
Not a day goes by that I think about those serving our country as you all did and countinuing doing so. If there were OSCARS AWARD for YOUR PERFORMANCES and DEDICATION YOU ARE ALL WINNERS in my BOOK!

it's sad that many don't understand what "memorial day" is and that it is so often confused and misunderstood (and as it has obviously been by many commenting here).

it is not veteran's day (which is november 11th), which is a day to honor all troops and all who served in our military.

memorial day is set aside exclusively for honoring those who paid the ultimate price in serving our country. their lives. it is a day to honor and remember those (and only those) who died. it is not to discount the service of all, but to pay proper respect for their sacrifices..

pay respect and honor the rest on the proper day (which truly should be every day) in november.

from a proud, yet unapologetic liberal.

Photo Nr. 19 are not shipwrecks, but temporary concrete harbours, that were put there to unload equipment. The trip to Normandy however is well worth it for those 2nd world war enthousiasts, like myself, out there.

Big fan of the site by the way.

I find it a shame that people look at these pictures and think, for some reason, it's a testament to how great war is and how we should keep fighting in wars.. if we loved our soldiers that much, we'd bring them home and stop fighting senseless wars with reasonless deaths. my grandfather fought in the Korean war and my brother in Operation Iraqi Freedom... and peace is always better than war. WWII has been the only necessary war in the past century for the US. Iraq is an atrocities... bring our troops home... stop sending them to their deaths.

#96: John Stuart Mill was a politician! And George S. Patton was a General. Not exactly the least biased of quotations.

#99: I don't think patriotism should be honored. That's dangerous. "Wherever there is greed, there is war". Agreed. Alternatively, perhaps, wherever there is patriotism, there is war. Consider that.

#103: Can you explain "gave their lives so that you would have freedom"? I don't understand the logic.

#135: "You may not agree with why they were called to war, but they were called. They answered that call. And they died for that call. They died for you and your right to mock them. And they would do it again. For you." Well, presumably they did it for their "love for country", i.e. USA, and their "fellow man", i.e. US citizen? What about the people that the soldiers were "called" i.e. ordered to kill? Therefore, I think "why they were called to war" is a critical issue. Just because they kill for the USA, doesn't mean they are killing for the right reasons. Remember that the "enemy" is probably also killing for their own "love for country" and "fellow man".

#152: "those of you that claim that war is so evil are basically saying that we shouldn't have stood and fought against hitler's evil schemes and plans, and was a good guy". Um...... don't you think that Hitler's war was "evil"? Be careful that you don't just assume that the USA's wars are not "evil", but all the "bad guys" (which is the stupidest phrase I've ever heard) are "evil".

In reviewing these comments (186 as of this writing), it is obvious that more than a few are non-Americans, and reveal that fact in their posted comments. And that is a good thing that people world-wide can express their views to us Americans on the topic of our Memorial Day. Thank you.

It is also obvious that there are other non-Americans posting, who are trying to hide their identities by POSING as other Americans, yet a careful reading of their posts and their spelling, syntax, and grammar, reveal a non-native English speaker. Even under-educated Americans don't make those mistakes. To those posters: QUIT LYING about who you really are and trying to spout your Anti-Americanism as if you were living in America. You aren't and it shows. Your lack of knowledge about America's ideals, institutions and history shows through, and your posts reek of simple-minded, anti-capitalist Marxist rhetoric which any ignorant, irrational buffoon can repeat.

As for those stating that our troops "died for nothing", or died for "money", or Iraq was not a threat to the U.S. or "had nothing to do with 9-11"...do us all a favor and educate yourselves in history. Try to recall and understand what the situation was after the Gulf War, and what virtually EVERYONE was concerned about: Iraq's regeneration of WMD programs and stockpiles after the war, and their blatant refusal to cooperate with the U.N. inspectors. Now add 9-11 and do a little critical thinking.

To deny the obvious and prattle on with trite little phrases about a war for oil, economic reasons, and that the Iraqis are not free from Saddam and Ba'athist tyranny is to remain willfully ignorant of events and to take refuge from intellectual endeavors in antiquated and outdated political catch-phrases. Phrases that appeal to ignorant and unsophisticated minds, but which are woefully inadequate at describing the world as it is.

I am proud of our military men. They truly have liberated the Iraqi people, and given them a new start as a nation. Sadly it took violent means to rid that country of its tyrant, and it is not over yet, but the difference is incredible between today and prior to overthrow of Saddam. Our troops DID die in a noble and worthy cause of freedom. Whether you realize that or want to realize that does not diminish the fact that they willingly placed themselves in mortal danger so that others may come to enjoy the freedoms we Americans have. Have any of you willingly placed your life in jeopardy to help someone else? For ANY reason? My guess is no.

And for their ultimate sacrifice, I will remember them and what they died for: freedom.

You seem quite a bit smarter than the usual USMC grunt, so I can't really figure out why you still want to repeat two fundamental untruths being constantly parroted out by Fox News and friends.
Iraq didn't restart its WMD program after 1991, all discoveries made in the last few years - like the few dozen rusty shells being paraded around the media in 2005 - were mothballed before the first gulf war.
They didn't refuse to cooperate with UN inspectors in 2002 and 2003 either, they let them in even after there were credible allegations that the US inspectors in there were doing little more than thinly veiled reconnaissance.

And what did the Iraqi people get in the end. Instead of women being able to walk around freely, they now have to hide behind veils in fear of getting targeted by extremists. Gay rights which used to be the highest in the Arab world in Iraq have given place to lynching. Tolerance for minorities such as Christians and Sufi has plummeted. Merchants selling alcohol or pornography may be attacked at any time.
Keep in mind that here too, many of the stories we heard before the war such as the famous incubator babies or the plastic shredder executions were completely fictitious. Hussein certainly wasn't a nice guy, but it's hardly true that the current situation is a lot better either. And even if the country eventually turns to freedom a few decades down the road, we'd still have to ask ourselves if the same couldn't have been accomplished by simply waiting for an old man to die.

And I do consider myself to be a better person for the fact that I haven't put my life in jeopardy for the likely reasons of the Iraq invasions.

Number 5: got tears in my eyes. Think I would do it every day if my wife dies.

It must be very difficult, #188, for you to determine just WHO the 'neighbor' you are to care for and protect as if they were yourself, is ! !

i love the clueless hypocrisy of the conservative mantra..."they fought and died for your freedom... now shut the hell up" and "america...if you don't like it, leave it."

when in fact, it should be "they fought and died so you don't have to shut the hell up" and "america...if you don't like it, change it."

irony oh orony, on me it's never lost.

Memorial Day should never be about conservatives vs. liberals or any other political mantras. This day should be about remembrance and honor. Save your soapboxes for another day.

I am British and serve in the British Army, I have just come back from Boston (Vacation) as you were getting ready for Memorial day, I do know how seriously you take it as we do in the UK for our Remembrance Sunday in November.

I will say this British and American Soldiers don't choose their wars, they do what the Government tell them to do, that is Military Discipline and sense of Duty, that is what being a Soldier is about, we should all honour that, no politics, reasons or why, no anti or pro war chants and rants, each of these Soldiers have a grieving Mother, Father and Siblings as well as Wives and Children, let them all remember them in peace and respect for their space.

Government start wars Soldiers fight them.

I agree with Armywife in this comment

It is with great pride that I view things like these photos. Yes, war is ugly, but it has also bought us a lifestyle of freedom and liberty we often forget about. What admiration I have for those who put their own life on hold to go and stand up for our country and liberty. Words can not express the things I feel. The last several years I have been interviewing my uncle, researching history, and writing about his WWII and Korean War experiences. What amazing things we can learn from the most unassuming people. We are so lucky to live in this land.

It's not like each and every war defended freedom, and it's not like each and every war was useless. Some wars have a use, others are useless. Some soldiers die for a good cause, other soldiers die in vain for a bad cause.

It is really quite foolish to make generalized and universal statements about war and soldiers. Sadly our recent wars have been only thinly veiled in good causes. It has been some time since the wars where the moral right and wrong were more obvious. And don't forget how long it took America to join the WWII in Europe, we were perfectly happy to let that evil happen for quite some time.

This series had me in tears. As the daughter and granddaughter (and more- a memeber of my family has fought in every US war since the Revolutionary war) I am proud of all they have done for the US and the world. It's sad that the recent wars seem to be so crazy and while I do wish the US would leave the middle east, it's part of their job to help protect the rights of all men and women. I hope that things will return to peace, but with 2000+ years of fighting in the Middle East, that seems far off. I hope that we can protect our troops and those innocent of terrorist crimes in the future.

I have many friends and family members who have served their country by being overseas and fighting for what's right. I am not going to comment on "war & peace" - we all have our own views on it and really, we have a right to our own views and opinions. I must say that I found these pictures just amazing, and heartbreaking. The recent deaths just make me tear up and my heart goes out to those who are losing their loved ones. All the wars have served a purpose, and we have lost a great number of our troops to wars.
I just wanted to post a comment commemorating those who served. It is something to be proud of and those who have lost loved ones deserve respect just as much as those who died. They have to live life with a huge loss and a great deal of respect at the same time. How difficult must that be?
Thank you for having an article dedicated to this day and thank you to those who took the photos.

I am touched. Its sad to see a soldier day anywhere. My best wishes and regards to all Americans. Very nice pictorial tribute.

As A veteran with two tours of duty in Vietnam, during my 20 years of active duty, I appreciate this wonderful photographic tribute to the veterans of the several wars which have been fought by and for our wonderful country. These members of America's military demonstrated the willingness of extraordinary people to sacrifice their lives for their fellow Americans. Yhey should never be forgotten.

20 put me in tears. wow.

May the God of creation bless you & yours, For so many Sons and Daughters who gave us there all. So we could live another day, in freedom without strife. Only we in this world have truly tasted & known what it is to be free. These we honor this day did this for you and for me. In God we trust, is more than a slogen on a coin or a bill. They gave us everything thay had, just as those after us will. I thank you Lord for loving us still. Protect thoes my Lord who must go into harms way, so we again may taste and say Thank you for freedom, and your love on this day. day. W.W. Love W.W.Love

thanks #179, Bob expresses what I cannot, and I cannot help but wonder that if the Mothers of these soldiers were in charge of the solution, what a different war it would be, on both sides.

Anyone who has been in a conflict as these represent has it indelibly and vividly engraved in their souls. We honor the gesture of service in behalf of others on Memorial day. So many paid the ultimate price. So many families, friends and acquaintences were forever denied their company until they, too, leave this place. To be sure, I am thankful every day that there are those who make this gesture with courage and conviction. They work to assure that we can have the opportunity to live in peace and to share this wonderful planet together. This was a a special tribute. Thanks, son, on behalf of generations who made the gesture.

"WAR is a racket. It always has been.It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of the people. Only a small "inside" group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few, at the expense of the very many."
Major General Smedley D. Butler - USMC Retired, 1933

War is Welfare - plain and simple.

Even Eisenhower warned against the Military-Industrial Complex in 1960 - can you be so wrapped up in "it's about freedom!" to fail to see the warnings signs of manufactured conflict?

"Profits were up last year [2004] well over 25%! I guarantee you, when war becomes that profitable, you’re going to see more of it!" Chalmers Johnson (CIA: 1967-1973)

Partial list of military interventions (not including covert/CIA) since just Reagan:

1980-1989

1980 -- Iran
1981 -- El Salvador
1981 --Libya
1982 -- Sinai
1982 -- Lebanon
1982-1983 -- Lebanon
1983 -- Egypt
1983 -- Grenada
1983-89 -- Honduras
1983 -- Chad
1984 -- Persian Gulf
1985 -- Italy
1986 -- Libya
1986 -- Libya
1986 -- Bolivia
1987-88 -- Persian Gulf
1987-88 -- Operation Earnest Will - Kuwait
1987-88 -- Operation Prime Chance – Persian Gulf
1988 -- Operation Praying Mantis – Persian Gulf
1988 -- Operation Golden Pheasant - Honduras
1988 -- USS Vincennes shoot-down of Iran Air Flight 655
1988 -- Panama
1989 -- Libya
1989 -- Panama
1989 -- Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru
1989 -- Philippines
1989-90 -- Panama

1990-1999

1990 -- Liberia
1990 -- Saudi Arabia
1991 -- Iraq - Persian Gulf War
1991 -- Zaire
1991-96 -- Operation Provide Comfort – Iraq
1992 -- Sierra Leone
1992-1996 -- Operation Provide Promise - Bosnia and Herzegovina
1992 -- Kuwait
1992-2003 -- Iraq - Iraqi No-Fly Zones
1992-95 -- Somalia
1993-Present -- Bosnia-Herzegovina
1993 -- Macedonia
1994-95 -- Haiti
1994 -- Macedonia
1995 -- Bosnia
1996 -- Liberia
1996 -- Central African Republic
1997 -- Albania
1997 -- Congo and Gabon
1997 -- Sierra Leone
1997 -- Cambodia
1998 -- Iraq
1998 -- Guinea-Bissau
1998 - 1999 Kenya and Tanzania
1998 -- Afghanistan and Sudan
1998 -- Liberia
1999 - 2001 East Timor
1999 -- NATO's bombing of Serbia in the Kosovo Conflict[RL30172] (See Operation Allied Force)

2000- Present

2000 -- Sierra Leone
2000 -- Yemen
2000 -- East Timor
2001 – Afghanistan - War in Afghanistan – “The War on Terror” begins with Operation Enduring Freedom
2002 -- Yemen
2002 -- Philippines
2002 -- Côte d'Ivoire
2003 -- 2003 invasion of Iraq leading to the War in Iraq
2003 -- Liberia
2003 -- Georgia and Djibouti
2004 -- Haïti
2004 -- War on Terrorism: US anti-terror related activities were underway in Georgia, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Eritrea
2006 – Pakistan
2006 -- Lebanon
2007 -- Somalia
2008 -- South Ossetia, Georgia
2009-- Pakistan

God Bless our Brave Troops.
God-D*** Cheney, Bush and those Neo-Conmen
who started the Iraq war based on fear-mongering lies.
Our troops have paid dearly for their business deal.

I went to many graves this day. I saw Ben Franklin's grave over the weekend. Many good people have died in battle for America. Thank GOD I did not have to decide when the country went to war , or what troops had to fight. I do know that I must HONOR all of them. After coming home from war, that is what I have resolved to do.

So sad and so beautiful. War is so painful There are no words enough to describe the pain.

NOT ONE MAN SHOULD SERVE A SECOND TOUR UNTIL ALL BUSH KIDS, AND CHENYS KIDS HAVE DONE ONE....

I wept

lewsta needs to read a little history himself. The Confederacy fired the first shots of the Civil War.

Hard stuff!!

"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would fully suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be part of so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder." -
-- Albert Einstein

This year's memorial day holds more meaning to me now than it ever did before. My brother served in in the US Armed Forces & passed away March 5 while active duty. Watching the President's speech moved me & my family to tears. I miss my brother everyday.

Memorial Day has always
commemorated the universal all-encompassing
understanding of, “No greater love than this does any
man have, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

i hink we should honor our milatary more than 2 days a year dont you

SEEING THAT I WAS AT THE FUNERAL NUMBER 20 WAS TAKING AT IT REALLY CHOKED ME UP!!! SSG. VILE MISS YOU BROTHER... HEATHER WE LOVE YOU!!!