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Replies: 31
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110%er [7727]
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MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 8:53 PM
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OEF (AFGHANISTAN)
BENNETT, DANIEL RYAN
BRENNAN, JULIAN THOMAS
BUCKLEY, GREGORY THOMAS
CARPENTER, ANDREW PAUL
CASSADA, JESSIE ADAM
FRANCESCONI, ALBERTO
GEARY, DANIEL JOSEPH
OLESKI, BLAISE ADAM
OUELLETTE, MICHAEL WEBSTER (DUDE WAS A BEAST)
PREACH, KEVIN THOMAS
WALLACE, DAVID WILLIAM III
JOHNSON, TREVOR JERIMIAH
OIF (IRAQ)
BALDWYN, STEPHEN PHILLIP
BALL, TERRY WAYNE JR
EDWARDS, CHASE AUSTIN
JAMES, RICHARD ZACHARY
KIM, KUN YOUNG
BEISEL, JACOB WALTER
LUCAS, KEVIN ADAM
MCINTOSH, ERIC ALAN
PROCOPIO, SCOTT JONATHAN
RAMON, JULIAN ALBERTO
ROOS, TIMOTHY DAVID
SANCHEZ, ENRIQUE CARLOS
SIMS, JUSTIN DERAND
TOMCI, JOSEPH ANTHONY (THERE WAS NONE LIKE HIM)
WARNDORF, CHRISTOPHER TYLER
WHYTE, NICHOLAS JOHAN
The above names listed are close friends that sacrificed EVERYTHING so that you can live the way you live today. That being said, I have a few things to say to anyone who reads this.
1. If you aren't living life the way that you want to then you should know that it is 100% YOUR FAULT. SHAME ON YOU! This is America, stop whining and start WINNING.
2. The above gentlemen fought and gave their all so that America can survive another war that was possibly fought for no apparent reason. (SAD BUT TRUE) I LOVE AMERICA BUT I WILL NOT PROTECT AMERICA WITH A LIE TO HIDE THE TRUTH
3. They did not die for your freedom... They died for your STATUS in this world. So that you can enjoy the finer things in life. If they ever considered fighting for your freedom, then many of our congressional members would not be in office today. AL Qaeda nor the Taliban had any ability to hinder your freedom a single ounce. However, many elected officials work tirelessly around the clock to make sure that you are properly subjugated through public policy. WAKE UP! IT IS ELECTION YEAR~ LET'S GET RID OF THESE A$$HOLES!
4. There are many not listed that I knew personally that passed away while serving in a different unit. While I served with them in the same unit in the past, they were not actively serving with me whenever they passed away. The above mentioned were actively serving with me on a deployment whenever they gave up the ghost and, in many cases, I witnessed their deaths.
5. PRAY FOR ME.... THERE IS NOT A DAY I DO NOT WAKE UP AND THINK OF THEM AS SOON AS I OPEN MY EYES AND THERE IS NOT A NIGHT, I DO NOT CLOSE MY EYES AND SEE THEIR FACES. WHILE THEY SMILE AT ME IN MY DREAMS THE GUILT EATS AT ME CONSTANTLY BECAUSE I AM ALIVE AND I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NOT ACCOMPLISHED ENOUGH IN MY LIFE TO SATISTFY THEIR SACRIFICES. MY HEART HURTS DAILY AND THESE WOUNDS DO NOT HEAL.
SEMPER FIDELIS!
TRAVIS HAMRICK
SERGEANT/USMC
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All-American [586]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 9:05 PM
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SGT Hamrick, thank you for your service. I hope time and maybe counseling can help reduce your "survivor's syndrom" guilt. I am confidant your actions saved many others.
Would love to hear, maybe another less emotional day if that exists, about #2...were the recent conflicts meaningless when started, or on afterthought since no resolution? Tough to reconcile I am sure.
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110%er [7727]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 9:14 PM
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**I wrote this to some of my teammates**
While I am aware that the emotions of my fellow brothers in arms runs high right now, I wanted to ask very sobering question, regarding the current situation.
Again, this is only for those who served in Afghanistan.
Question 1: Did the Afghan people really share our vision over there?
Question 2: Were the Afghan men willing to die for the cause of liberty and civilized society?
Question 3: If a foreign nation occupied the United States, would you do the same thing as the Taliban?
Question 4: Do you think that the Afghan people to include the Taliban value their cultural way of life more than liberty or civilized society as we value it?
Question 5: If the Taliban does assume full control as it appears they will, would it have been all for nothing if they govern the people of Afghanistan in a fair and civil manner?
In hindsight, I think we did make a difference and even in the harder hearts of the Taliban, they know that we were there with the best of intentions for Afghanistan. Where we did not meet eye to eye was at the root of Afghanistan's cultural and religious ideologies.
Sure, we wanted to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for global jihadist groups, but at what cost to the Afghan people in the end? We were more or less demanding that they abandon their cultural identity and embrace us as their occupiers. History has shown us that those methods often fail.
If anything, history has taught us that in most Empires the thinking was done by cowards and the fighting by fools. Such appears to be the same case in this regard.
Do I believe we made a difference? Yes, but to what extent is the true objective question here. Will the Taliban restore unity and peace in Afghanistan? One can certainly hope so for the sake of the people. However, the elephant in the room would be the question of whether or not the Taliban allies itself with jihadist groups who harness global aspirations. This would be a disaster for the entire world.
What would I do if I were NATO leaders? Well, I would offer a peace treaty with the Taliban and offer to conduct economic alignment with the Nation of Afghanistan. I would offer rebuilding efforts and boost their economy to be compatible with ours.
I suggest that only because China and Russia will gain access using Pakistan as a conduit to mineral rights, and other resources that will give China and Russia the upper hand with respects to economic growth and military advancements in technology. A move too soon is better than a move too late.
Yes, there will be chaos for the foreseeable months to come. However, should the cards fall the right way, Joe Biden will appear as a genius. If the cards fall the wrong way, Joe Biden will regret this for his entire existence.
**DISCLAIMER**
In no regard do I admire and support the Taliban in any way, shape, fashion, or form. I believe them to be disgusting savages. However, I at least try to see things objectively from all angles before I formulate a lasting opinion. Trust me, this one stings quite a bit because I feel like we failed my brothers who sacrificed their lives over there and I am part of that failure.
You know what though, I will own it. Not that I wanted it to go down like this, but we cannot blame any one President or elected official. We were sent to do a job and we did not achieve our goal in full. However, we may have left a lasting impact that may come to fruition in a positive way in the upcoming years or decades to follow. We have to wait and see because not all fruits of labor are immediately blossomed.
For the record, 89% of the Afghan people as recent as 2020, had no idea why the United States was even there to begin with. They had no clue what 9/11 was. The only thing they knew was that our military was occupying their nation. Considering that the Pashtun people were grossly in favor of the Taliban and they made up the majority of the population, one can assume that it was an unwinnable situation to begin with.
Let me remind you that it was Mullah Omar who demanded proof of the 9/11 attacks and Osama Bin Laden's involvement from the U.S. Government. It was in turn the U.S. Government who in their own arrogance told Mullah Omar that we didn't need to prove anything and decided to invade.
In the end, this war was costly and will take decades for all involved to fully heal from it's bitter sting. Just my two cents for what it's worth.
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Oculus Spirit [92171]
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1st, thx for your service SIR!
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May 26, 2024, 9:27 PM
[ in reply to Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME ] |
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2nd, it is ok & normal to remember & lament for those with whom you served with, shared such horrible conflicts with as teammates, cared for and even became a combat brother with.
A wise one shared a thought about those gone. Saying, they have died once but they will have died again if you don’t remember them in your heart & mind but worse is to not say their name out loud often.
So, you have been doing exactly what is right..to remember & revel all these brave Souls & Soldiers with whom you still care & mourn for, respect, love and honor.
Semper Fi..
and may Memorial Day be just that in a horribly divided nation that doesn’t seem to remember or even understand it’s glorious past and potential when founded.
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110%er [7727]
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Re: 1st, thx for your service SIR!
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May 26, 2024, 9:37 PM
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My Heart Hurts Lighbulbbill... More than you can imagine. These men were barely 20 years old and here I am at 41 years old and I don't feel like I've done these men justice or honor yet. It is a hard burden to carry. I know you've seen many atrocities in your life and I hope that one day I can be as steadfast as you and have half the knowledge you have today.
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Orange Blooded [3261]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 27, 2024, 3:58 PM
[ in reply to Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME ] |
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Praying for you and others in your place this Memorial Day. Some of my friends participated this weekend in the Palmetto Heroes Hike for Upstate Warrior Solution, so this organization has been on my mind recently. I don't know if you would find any of their programs helpful in dealing with survivors' guilt, but it may be worth your time to at least give them a call or stop by their facility on Pelham Road. https://upstatewarriorsolution.org/
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110%er [7727]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 27, 2024, 5:41 PM
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I'm well established with Charlie Hall. He's a great man. I've actually received Clemson tickets from them before.
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110%er [7727]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 9:12 PM
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For this year's Memorial Day, I want to mention OUELLETTE, MICHAEL WEBSTER. While on patrol, his vehicle struck an IED, and he lost his legs during the blast. However, this was not an ordinary IED attack, but rather a complex IED Ambush against his Marines. He managed to not only kill several enemy fighters with his rifle but managed to direct mortars and artillery to support his Marines and even crawled over to a radio and called in for a medivac for several wounded Marines. The last medivac picked him up and he succumbed to his wounds two hours later during the flight to save his life. So, for this year whenever you raise your glasses to America's hero's please raise a toast to MICHAEL OUELLETTE.
GET SOME!
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110%er [5856]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 27, 2024, 7:19 AM
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A salute to a real hero. To the end his main concern was his fellow Marines! A moment of silence in his honor.
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Standout [328]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 9:16 PM
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Thanks for your service. Just know your sacrifices and those of your brothers have not gone unnoticed by this fellow American.
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Orange Blooded [2865]
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I went to high school with J. Cassada
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May 26, 2024, 9:33 PM
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And lived across the street from his best friend.
RIP
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110%er [7727]
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Re: I went to high school with J. Cassada
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May 26, 2024, 9:38 PM
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God bless you man. He was an amazing man. My heart breaks for his family. If you're still near, please visit them and find a way to honor his memory.
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110%er [7727]
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Re: I went to high school with J. Cassada
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May 27, 2024, 2:21 PM
[ in reply to I went to high school with J. Cassada ] |
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If I lived closer to Hendersonville, I would swing by and pay my respects.
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CU Medallion [55502]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 9:40 PM
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Right there with you- I posted a similar list that was not quite as long one Memorial Day from my time in Nam. May 28 , 1970 was the first friend lost which makes the memory match this time each year
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Hall of Famer [20743]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 9:41 PM
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Thanks for your service! And I stand and salute your friends sacrifice.
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Orange Blooded [3949]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 10:05 PM
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Awesome post!
Thank you for your service 🙏
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Rock Defender [52]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 10:09 PM
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Thank you for your service and the brave young men listed.
May GOD bless you and provide the peace that transcends all understanding.
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CU Guru [1724]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 10:20 PM
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Well said, Devil Dog! God Bless You!!
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110%er [7727]
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Sgt. Joe Wrightsman
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May 26, 2024, 10:39 PM
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https://youtu.be/4nbBGJ1m-kA?si=D1EOKkp7rIJ2YxqF
Joseph Wrightsman perished while saving the life of an Afghan soldier who fell into the Helmand River. Without hesitation, Sgt. Wrightsman jumped into the rushing waters of the Helmand River to save the life of someone who wasn't even an American. I was not present for this event, but from what I understand he managed to save the life of the Afghan soldier. 3/3 Kil Company later recovered his body 34 miles downriver. What an amazing hero.
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110%er [5350]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 10:46 PM
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Blessed Blessed Blessed because of great people who have died for this country. And to the people who have suffered mental and physical injuries they will have for the rest of their life. I had the awesome privilege of serving this country in the Navy. I was fortunate enough to serve in a time of peace. I know how fortunate I am for the great people who faced the enemy so I can live this great life. Thanks for your service sir.
I pray for you and the families of those who didn't make it home.
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All-Pro [667]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 10:58 PM
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I cant say thank you enough. Yall deserve so much more a great healthcare and mental healthcare plan that actually care about the solders that make it back alive. Thank you is the least I can do and I mean that. All we give yall is a day of remembrance and a few dollars off of food every now and then. For a nation that says they love there military we sure have a funny way of showing it. Putting yall in meaningless wars just for the profits of a few rich people and all that military spending that goes to corporations to get rich off the deaths of solders. Again thank to all who served my friend has a 5k that we run in and it donates money to Puppies for Patriots. it helps tutor shelter dogs to be service dogs for Vets. Thank you agian I cant say it enough Thank you so much for your service
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110%er [7727]
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CU Guru [1259]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 11:05 PM
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May God bless you, place his had upon your school set and give you peace. God bless all who have given their All for this great nation!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
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Freshman [3]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 26, 2024, 11:32 PM
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Thank you for your service and all that you have done. Our country is great because people like you have served, observed, and spoke out about their time in the military. Eisenhower had it right when he spoke out about the congressional military complex. It seems all we have nowadays are rich congressman willing to send kids off to war
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110%er [7468]
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Love u T for being who u are. Praying for you.
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May 26, 2024, 11:51 PM
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I actually understand what it is to lose a brother. And this memorial day is the most tragic one ill ever know. I hope it is anyways.
Its my brothers birthday and just over 2 months since I had to make the call/or whatever tf it is when the professionals say there is nothing left to do and turning off that #### machine that gave hope.
I'm almost sobbing writing this so I know ur pain brother and we have to make it through the day to tell everyone what great men walked this earth to an untimely death. God love you and all of the broken hearted today.
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CU Guru [1054]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 27, 2024, 12:57 AM
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You’re right on target. But it’s too late for voting to create change because every so called conservative and every liberal has to have big business money to even run a campaign. You can’t vote out the true rulers of America- big business. Politicians are as conservative as necessary to get your vote, but they maintain a balance of concervative and liberal powers so you see the enemy as one of those two, but the enemy is big business who has them all in their pocket.
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Oculus Spirit [94570]
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Today is my 36 yr/old son's birthday. God took him 5 weeks ago.
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May 27, 2024, 5:01 AM
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Isa 57:
"1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."
It's not a rough day for me for I rejoice that he has experienced the ultimate delivery, the final and absolute salvation.
I am sorry for your brothers in arms and for you but God has a purpose for you.
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CU Guru [1081]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 27, 2024, 6:59 AM
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Amen Brother!
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Letterman [299]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
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May 27, 2024, 3:26 PM
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Memorial Day is not a single day for those who served, and the families of those who served. It's a every day thing.
These men and women deserve our respect.
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110%er [7468]
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Bumping. Still here for you and all who endure
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May 27, 2024, 3:37 PM
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God bless and love you guys.
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Orange Blooded [2242]
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Re: MEMORIAL DAY IS A ROUGH DAY FOR ME
May 27, 2024, 4:42 PM
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God bless all of you who served, lost fellow soldiers, and deal with the ramifications of it every day. I did not serve but have the utmost respect for those of you who did. Please continue to tell the stories of the fallen soldiers so they are not forgotten.
If any of you are having a particularly hard time dealing with your days in the service please get help. Yall were willing to sacrifice your lives for us and we can never repay that but we can hold you up in prayer and treat our veterans the way they should be treated
Thank you for your sacrifices and willingness to serve!
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110%er [5419]
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Heroes. All of them and all who serve. Period.***
May 27, 2024, 5:03 PM
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Replies: 31
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