Memorial Day..Please remember..
 

Happy Memorial Day. Please take a moment to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. I remember CAPT Tom Nelson, USCG and LT Mark Koteek, USCG..both friends who were killed in separate helo mishaps during SAR and training missions.

Fair Winds and Following Seas my friends.

Please add the names of those that you'd like to remember this weekend.

Hear hear! Captain Pete Vallejo and 1Lt Mike Hodge, both killed in C-141 crashes. Pete was in my wedding, Mike was my roommate and good friend. And, Marc Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. RIP brothers.

Swede -- died in F-16 crash '91
Eric -- died in A-10 mid-air '91
Rabbit -- died in F-15C crash '92
Zane -- died in F-15C crash '92
Mac -- died in F-16 crash '94
Crew of Yukla 27 (E-3 AWACS) -- died in crash '95
Buster & Jammer -- died in F-15Cs when they ran into a mountain in Scotland '01
Moses -- died in F-15C crash '08
Bong -- died in F-22 crash '10

Several squadrons I've been in have used this toast to honor men like these:

Here's a toast to those who've gone before,
Who've given their lives in both peace and war,
Defending the freedom others take for granted.
May we never forgot to toast those who can no longer toast with us.

Finally, take a moment to read the following:
Still the Noblest Calling - JD Wetterling

As retired AF enlisted I remember a few like the H3 Jolly Green at Osan that hit a hill & took the entire crew, my football coach at Zweibrucken (backseater RF4) (Benny Watkins) who got a pilot slot & hit the ground in an A10, and a few T38s & T37s at Moody. Worse feeling was observing the meat wagon unloading 3 body bags at Moody, the 2 pilots each in a bag, the third bag w/ their heads. The ultimate sacrifice. And the POWs from Vietnam, and other wars too.

I'd like to remember:

1LT Rosyln Schulte, USAFA '06. She was killed in Afghanistan in 2009 by a roadside IED making her the second female grad KIA and first in Iraq/Afghanistan.

Capt David Lyon, USAFA '08. He was killed by vehicle born IED in Afghanistan in 2013.

A toast...

To all my Marine brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice in every clime and place, whether in the cockpit, or walking point, and our Navy Docs who are with us all the way. Hoooorah !!! Semper Fi !!!

I can't say I know anyone that's made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, but to all that have: Thank you for helping to defend the freedoms that most (myself included) people take for granted.

Raising my bud light to all!

I don't know how everybody feels, but the Delta Honor Guard is the best thing going.

Agreed! Exceptional!

[QUOTE=captain152;1651456]I can't say I know anyone that's made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, but to all that have: Thank you for helping to defend the freedoms that most (myself included) people take for granted.


My sentiments exactly!

My father didn't die in the war but he served our country. He died when I was young so I don't know much about what he went through all those years ago for our country.. I do have a cedar chest with his uniform and pictures and many other thing that I hold dear to my heart..

I raise my glass to you all!

FG