Archives
October 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Subject: VETERANS' DAY PARADE NOVEMBER 11, 2006
Time: 6:58:00 PM EDT
Author: friedman3109
ON JULY 4TH, 1970, PATRICK CALLAHAN, THEN A LANCE CORPORAL IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WAS PREPARING TO BOARD A COMMERCIAL AIR LINER (FREEDOM BIRD) TO RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES VIA OKINAWA AFTER HIS TOUR OF DUTY WITH THE 13TH & 11TH MARINE REGIMENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM. AS HE WALKED UP THE STAIRWAY TO THE PLANE HE TURNED TO TAKE ONE LAST LOOK AT THE COUNTRY THAT HAD CHANGED HIS LIFE SO MUCH IN JUST ONE YEAR. AS HE TURNED TOWARD THE REAR OF THE PLANE HE NOTICED SOMETHING BEING LOADED IN THE CARGO AREA OF THE PLANE BESIDES SEABAGS AND PERSONAL GEAR. THEY WERE STEEL GREY COFFINS. HIS FIRST THOUGHTS WERE OF HIS FAMILY AND HOW LUCKY HE WAS TO HAVE SOMEONE COMING TO THE AIRPORT TO WELCOME HIM HOME.
THE FLIGHT BACK TO OKINAWA TOOK FOUR HOURS. DURING THOSE HOURS HE COULD NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT THOSE COFFINS AND THE FAMILIES THAT WOULD RECEIVE THEM. THOSE IMAGES HAVE STAYED WITH HIM FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS.
PATRICK MADE HIMSELF A PROMISE THAT DAY ON THAT PLANE IN VIETNAM. HE WOULD NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICE OF THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR ALL SO YOU AND I COULD CONTINUE TO LIVE IN A FREE AND GREAT COUNTRY, THE U.S.A. HE WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE TO PERPETUATE THEIR MEMORY -- ESPECIALLY ON MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERANS' DAY.
ON NOVEMBER 11, 2006, THESE HEROES WILL BE HONORED AND REMEMBERED WITH A MILITARY BATTLEFIELD FUNERAL CEREMONY, MANY YEARS OVERDUE!!
IF YOU ARE A VIETNAM WAR VETERAN (COMBAT OR NON-COMBAT) OR A VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN - NO AFFIFIATION WITH ANY MILITARY ORGAINZATION IS REQUIRED - YOU ARE INVITED TO COME FORWARD AFTER THE PARADE WHEN YOU HEAR LOUIS ARMSTRONG'S "WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD" (THEME SONG FROM "GOOD MORNING VIETNAM') AND STAND IN RANKS BEHIND YOUR SERVICE FLAG IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CEREMONY. YOU OWE THIS TO YOUR BUDDIES.
PATRICK CALLAHAN, PRESIDENT
VVA CHAPTER 969
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
"SEMPER FI"
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Subject: VETERANS' DAY PARADE NOVEMBER 11, 2006
Time: 6:58:00 PM EDT
Author: friedman3109
ON JULY 4TH, 1970, PATRICK CALLAHAN, THEN A LANCE CORPORAL IN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS WAS PREPARING TO BOARD A COMMERCIAL AIR LINER (FREEDOM BIRD) TO RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES VIA OKINAWA AFTER HIS TOUR OF DUTY WITH THE 13TH & 11TH MARINE REGIMENTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM. AS HE WALKED UP THE STAIRWAY TO THE PLANE HE TURNED TO TAKE ONE LAST LOOK AT THE COUNTRY THAT HAD CHANGED HIS LIFE SO MUCH IN JUST ONE YEAR. AS HE TURNED TOWARD THE REAR OF THE PLANE HE NOTICED SOMETHING BEING LOADED IN THE CARGO AREA OF THE PLANE BESIDES SEABAGS AND PERSONAL GEAR. THEY WERE STEEL GREY COFFINS. HIS FIRST THOUGHTS WERE OF HIS FAMILY AND HOW LUCKY HE WAS TO HAVE SOMEONE COMING TO THE AIRPORT TO WELCOME HIM HOME.
THE FLIGHT BACK TO OKINAWA TOOK FOUR HOURS. DURING THOSE HOURS HE COULD NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT THOSE COFFINS AND THE FAMILIES THAT WOULD RECEIVE THEM. THOSE IMAGES HAVE STAYED WITH HIM FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS.
PATRICK MADE HIMSELF A PROMISE THAT DAY ON THAT PLANE IN VIETNAM. HE WOULD NEVER FORGET THE SACRIFICE OF THE MEN WHO GAVE THEIR ALL SO YOU AND I COULD CONTINUE TO LIVE IN A FREE AND GREAT COUNTRY, THE U.S.A. HE WOULD ALWAYS BE THERE TO PERPETUATE THEIR MEMORY -- ESPECIALLY ON MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERANS' DAY.
ON NOVEMBER 11, 2006, THESE HEROES WILL BE HONORED AND REMEMBERED WITH A MILITARY BATTLEFIELD FUNERAL CEREMONY, MANY YEARS OVERDUE!!
IF YOU ARE A VIETNAM WAR VETERAN (COMBAT OR NON-COMBAT) OR A VIETNAM WAR ERA VETERAN - NO AFFIFIATION WITH ANY MILITARY ORGAINZATION IS REQUIRED - YOU ARE INVITED TO COME FORWARD AFTER THE PARADE WHEN YOU HEAR LOUIS ARMSTRONG'S "WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD" (THEME SONG FROM "GOOD MORNING VIETNAM') AND STAND IN RANKS BEHIND YOUR SERVICE FLAG IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CEREMONY. YOU OWE THIS TO YOUR BUDDIES.
PATRICK CALLAHAN, PRESIDENT
VVA CHAPTER 969
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
"SEMPER FI"
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