Comments on: Freedom Isn't Free; A Reality Remembered On Memorial Day http://project7alpha.com/2009/05/freedom-isnt-free-reality-remembered/ American Airlines in Burma 1942 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:47:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Chip http://project7alpha.com/2009/05/freedom-isnt-free-reality-remembered/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Chip Sun, 24 May 2009 17:10:15 +0000 http://www.project7alpha.com/?p=462#comment-162 Rick; Our family has many Army ties. My oldest Son just got out of the Army. He was with the 10th Mountain Division in the Suni Triangle (SAW Gunner). My Dad was an Army Officer, and believe it or not my Grandfather fought in the trenches in WWI, also Army. He got married late in life. Back in the day I went through Army Airborne school. It was weird being back at Fort Benning for my oldest Sons graduation on Sand Hill. We also have a lot of Air Force in the family. My second Son is a B-2 Crew Chief w/the Gaurd, two Uncles served in Korea and Vietnam. My Uncle Larry and I were the only Navy. All, except my Uncle Bob (flew Puff in VN shot down 3 times) and I were citizen soldiers, they served and went back home. I have two more kids that plan on serving as well. Oh yes, we do have a black sheep in the family, my father in law is a former (not x) Marine. Just kidding, I'm headed to a BBQ where another Marine bud will probably bring his Dad (a Chosin Marine). It is being held by a Navy vet and another bud who flew dust off in Viet Nam (shot down 4times)will be there too. We all grew up together and believe it or not one attendee is still active duty. He will hit 30 next fall in the Navy, we buried his father(a Pearl Harbour survivor) last summer. Thank you for your service in Viet Nam. It was a long tough battle in our ultimate victory of the Cold War. Rick;
Our family has many Army ties. My oldest Son just got out of the Army. He was with the 10th Mountain Division in the Suni Triangle (SAW Gunner). My Dad was an Army Officer, and believe it or not my Grandfather fought in the trenches in WWI, also Army. He got married late in life. Back in the day I went through Army Airborne school. It was weird being back at Fort Benning for my oldest Sons graduation on Sand Hill.

We also have a lot of Air Force in the family. My second Son is a B-2 Crew Chief w/the Gaurd, two Uncles served in Korea and Vietnam. My Uncle Larry and I were the only Navy. All, except my Uncle Bob (flew Puff in VN shot down 3 times) and I were citizen soldiers, they served and went back home. I have two more kids that plan on serving as well. Oh yes, we do have a black sheep in the family, my father in law is a former (not x) Marine. Just kidding, I’m headed to a BBQ where another Marine bud will probably bring his Dad (a Chosin Marine). It is being held by a Navy vet and another bud who flew dust off in Viet Nam (shot down 4times)will be there too. We all grew up together and believe it or not one attendee is still active duty. He will hit 30 next fall in the Navy, we buried his father(a Pearl Harbour survivor) last summer.

Thank you for your service in Viet Nam. It was a long tough battle in our ultimate victory of the Cold War.

]]> By: Rick http://project7alpha.com/2009/05/freedom-isnt-free-reality-remembered/comment-page-1/#comment-161 Rick Sun, 24 May 2009 14:14:24 +0000 http://www.project7alpha.com/?p=462#comment-161 Chip, In April I went to Ft. Knox KY to attend the grauduation of one of my nephews from basic training. While there, we went to the George Patton museum, primarily out of curiousity, but also because I was a Cavalry Officer in Vietnam, and his son was my regimental commander at the time. I was stunned and honored to find a memorial to my old squadron, and that the names of my fallen comrades from the 11th Armored Cavalry had been carved in stone there. Counting the people I had known, I came up with 12. The names were more concentrated there than the were on the Wall in D.C. It was a very heavy moment. It's too bad these forts are generally closed to the public now....these monuments are very moving and very demonstrative of the price that is paid for our way of life by ordinary people willing to suit up for our country. Tomorrow I will go to our local national cemetary for services...a high priority over barbeque. Chip,
In April I went to Ft. Knox KY to attend the grauduation of one of my nephews from basic training. While there, we went to the George Patton museum, primarily out of curiousity, but also because I was a Cavalry Officer in Vietnam, and his son was my regimental commander at the time. I was stunned and honored to find a memorial to my old squadron, and that the names of my fallen comrades from the 11th Armored Cavalry had been carved in stone there. Counting the people I had known, I came up with 12. The names were more concentrated there than the were on the Wall in D.C. It was a very heavy moment. It’s too bad these forts are generally closed to the public now….these monuments are very moving and very demonstrative of the price that is paid for our way of life by ordinary people willing to suit up for our country. Tomorrow I will go to our local national cemetary for services…a high priority over barbeque.

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