Memorial Day <3 (TW)

[Deleted]

TW (death)

Today is a day to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Growing up in a military family and living in a military town (and now working for the military), this day has always held special meaning to me.

Today I am remembering all of the men and women who have laid down their lives for their brothers and sisters in arms and for us at home.

I am especially remembering
Marine Lt Col J. Trane McCloud, 3 December 2006. Trane was a close family friend who I admired and looked up to as a child. I remember him running marathons with my Dad and I'll never forget the time he introduced me to his dog's electric fence (lol). I am lucky to have a continued relationship with his wife and kids and I'm fortunate to have known him.

Marine Sgt Danny Vasselian, KIA 23 December 2013
Marine SSgt David Stewart, KIA 20 June 2014

Please feel free to leave your memories here as well.

[hawkward]

I'm sorry for your losses.

I'm glad you started this. It's a bittersweet day for us too. We've lost friends and acquaintances to combat, but many many more to suicide after coming home from combat.

A few weeks ago, we lost a friend who died of natural causes during a training exercise. He has young children and it's been weighing heavily on us. He was just a good person and his absence is a tragedy.

[urbanbourbon]

Thank you for this thread, and I'm so sorry for your losses. Yours as well, hawkward.

My ex-boyfriend served in the army once he turned 18. He was unfortunately killed in a car accident while at home for Christmas during his basic training. I always take an extra moment to pause and pay my respects to him, and all others who served their country on Memorial Day. 💙❤️

[pobre]

I'm remembering a dear friend who was special forces in the army. He took his own life two years ago almost to the day. He left behind a wife and 3 kids.

He was an amazing father and friend and we all miss him.

[boozeplease]

I didn't get to meet him but my uncle my moms only brother was kia in Vietnam in April of 1968. I wish I could visit the wall where his name is. My mom and I have been able to see the mobile wall tho. I've worked retail and I hate that people seem to treat memorial day as just the kick off of summer. But it's so much more and we can celebrate bc of the sacrifices this holiday was designed to commemorate.

[msdrdg]

Today I remember Sgt. Steven DeLuzio, VT National Guard. He was killed by a sniper in Afghanistan August 2010 weeks before he was set to come home.
He was my 2nd cousin (dad's cousin's son).

[bint]

Today I remember the crew of Indy08

[unheardof]

I've heard of Danny. His widow is now engaged to a guy my H deployed with in 2014.

[Deleted]

May 29, 2017 13:06:09 GMT -6 unheardof said:

I've heard of Danny. His widow is now engaged to a guy my H deployed with in 2014.

Small world. He's from MA but was stationed in VA, which is how I knew him. He was a big jokester and always so much fun to be around.

[pobre]

My father lost his best friend in Vietnam. When I went to D.C. a few years ago I found his name and called my dad/sent a picture. 50 years ago but still painful for so many.

[unheardof]

May 29, 2017 14:01:24 GMT -6 @frank said:

May 29, 2017 13:06:09 GMT -6 unheardof said:

I've heard of Danny. His widow is now engaged to a guy my H deployed with in 2014.

Small world. He's from MA but was stationed in VA, which is how I knew him. He was a big jokester and always so much fun to be around.

Definitely small world. I've seen about 10 FB posts about him today. I never knew him but I hear great things. His widow is still very active in charities for military and her fiancée lost his SO in a car accident a few years ago as well so they seem like they are very supportive of the other remembering their lost loved ones. It's bittersweet.

[Sparkly]

Remembering a high school friend who lost his battle with PTSD and addiction a little over a year ago. He was a good guy. He was that kid that was as always getting into trouble but had a huge heart and wanted so badly to make his friends & family proud. He joined the army to turn his life around. He had a little girl.

[ironegg]

Thank you for posting this, and to others for sharing. Growing up as an army brat, and now with a military spouse, we have lost many. We use this day to remember the many team mates my husband has lost over the last 12 years of frequent deployments. These Gold Star families are always in my thoughts.

[ironegg]

May 29, 2017 12:24:18 GMT -6 pobre said:

I'm remembering a dear friend who was special forces in the army. He took his own life two years ago almost to the day. He left behind a wife and 3 kids.

He was an amazing father and friend and we all miss him.

Those silently suffering really hit home. My husbands best friend (fellow GB) took his own life 6 years ago, in front of his wife. The things they see while gone never really leave them.
I am so sorry for your loss.

[anastasia]

Danny was from the town next to me, where my parents live. I've always heard great things about him.

[hawkward]

nochill <3

[Deleted]

May 29, 2017 19:19:05 GMT -6 nochill said:

It's taken me a bit to work up the courage to post this, but today we are honoring my brother, KIA September 14, 2009.

Thank you, so much, for sharing. God bless your brother and your entire family. So many hugs, K. <3

"They bid me take my place among them in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave may live forever."

[Risscaboobs]

Thinking of my great-grandfather today. He fought in WWII, made it home, but was never the same after. He never recovered and ended his own life before I got the chance to meet him. It's hard, but I am still thankful for his service and wish I had a chance to tell him how proud we are of him.

[Risscaboobs]

So many hugs, nochill.

[bint]

So many hugs, nochill <3

[ironegg]

May 29, 2017 19:19:05 GMT -6 nochill said:

It's taken me a bit to work up the courage to post this, but today we are honoring my brother, KIA September 14, 2009.

Thank you for sharing, and I thank your family as well. <3

[robot]

Today, I remembered my grandfather, who fought in WWII. He was an incredible man. I miss him a lot and I'm sad he never got to meet my daughter.

[boozeplease]

Hugs nochill.

[queenofwildthings]

Thank you for this @frank . Thoughts and prayers to all. I just spent the weekend in DC for Rolling Thunder and it was a very emotional time. Never forget our brother and sisters who had given their all for their country and our freedom.