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Gives us a home, where we can retreat. We clean up the land, and help her to grow Plow up the soil, for the future we sow. Education we give, our youth today. Religion we offer, a time each can pray. Mountains were barriers...but we ascended these heights. We've entered the heavens and star-clustered nights. Mastered the oceans and conquered the skies. This Nation was fought for, with muskets and knives. And this country we'll keep, at the cost of our lives. Beware the rightful might...of thee...United States United States Air Force 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Operations Officer |
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Heaven is beautiful and it is full of God`s grace. I know you are hurting because you miss me. But please don`t stop living because I am happy and free. The war was horrific and I am with Jesus whom now I embrace. You just can`t imagine the things that I see. I am with my war buddies and we are finally free. God has prepared my mansion up here in this space. There is no pain and there are no more tears. God has taken away all of my fears. Please let everyone know that I am not alone. I see all my loved ones and there is always light. There are angels everywhere and Jesus is just in sight. But you know I died for freedom and the US of A. Please know that Jesus is just a prayer away. Just pass around the word that he will be coming back one day! written by Suzanne Lauder, Ramstein, Germany |
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Thanking God to be alive They meld into society, Feeling blessed that they survived. And memories hard to bear, Some, with physical reminders, Of limbs no longer there. Discover jobs hard to find And they feel that this country Is neither loyal or kind. To be confined to bed and chair And never have a visitor To offer thanks or a word of cheer. Who answered this nation's call, Our brave, American Veterans... Who were willing to give their all. |
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This creed
is new as of 2007. Here are
some important things to know about the Airman’s Creed: |
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And you know that you are free- And you have the right to do what may, Things were not always this way. The Freedom we know now It was the soldier of the field Who made us free somehow. It was by their loyalty They laid their lives down on the line To give us freedom FREE Who alone in some God-forsaken land Who slept in trenches, with mud and cold Who knelt beside a dying friend Whose hand had just grown cold Who wrote his children letters From the depths of forests dim Who told those children "grow up proud" To love and pray for him Our soldiers brave and tall All gave everything they could But some of them gave ALL Who joined the ranks of services To protect this land they loved And some are still protecting us From the light of God above O'er the land, you'll hear them ring Remember...it was the Soldier Who paid the price for freedom's ring And those serving yet today May God bless our soldiers And God bless the USA |
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I watched the flag pass by one day, It fluttered in the breeze. A young Marine saluted it, And then he stood at ease. So young, so tall, so proud, With hair cut square and eyes alert He'd stand out in any crowd. Had fallen through the years. How many died on foreign soil How many mothers' tears? How many died at sea How many foxholes were soldiers' graves? No, freedom isn't free. When everything was still, I listened to the bugler play And felt a sudden chill. I wondered just how many times That Taps had meant "Amen," When a flag had covered a coffin. Of a brother or a friend. Of the mothers and the wives, Of fathers, sons and husbands With interrupted lives. At the bottom of the sea Of unmarked graves in Arlington. No, freedom isn't free. |
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© 1998 by Linda Ellis my child asked in an innocent way… "and could you please explain to me why we have a Veteran’s Day?" that might help me clarify those people, who for their country have looked death in the eye. to see what Webster may have used but "one who served in the armed forces" were not the words that I would choose. soldiers you have never met… those you’ll never know the names of and yet…never will forget? How do you convey a definition for those who brought this country’s dreams to their ultimate fruition? strangers who fought for you… men and women who risked their lives for people they never knew? and the sacrifices they made so that you and your children’s children could live free…and unafraid? for a child’s sake? You say "a veteran is a person to whom we owe every breath we take." |
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Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free. I am following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work or play... Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found that peace at close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with rememberd joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with time of sorrow, I wish to you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one touched. Perhaps my time seemed too brief, don't lenghten it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He set me free. |
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Let the bugle blow Let the march be played With a forming of the troops For my last parade The years of wars and the years of waiting Obedience to orders, unhesitating Years in the states, and the years overseas All woven in a web of memories As many good friends and exotic places too In the waning sunlight begin to fade With the martial music of my last parade My last salute to the service and base Now someone else will take my place To the sharp young airmen marching away I gladly pass the orders of the day Still, if needed - before I grow too old I'll keep my saber sharp, my powder dry Lest I be recalled to duty by and by So let the bugle blow Fire the evening gun Slowly lower the colors My retirement has begun Author Unknown..... Download the words in Adobe Acrobat Reader format HERE. |
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 THE STARS & STRIPES |
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RED is for Hardiness and Valor  Download the words in Adobe Acrobat Reader format HERE. |
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Moderator: As you entered the dining area, you may have noticed a table at the front, raised to call your attention to its purpose -- it is reserved to honor our missing loved ones [or missing comrades in arms, for veterans]. Set for six, the empty places represent Americans still [our men] missing from each of the five services -- Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard – and civilians. This Honors Ceremony symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. Some [here] in this room were very young when they were sent into combat; however, all Americans should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call [to serve] and served the cause of freedom in a special way. I would like to ask you to stand, and remain standing for a moment of silent prayer, as the Honor Guard places the five service covers and a civilian cap on each empty plate. Honor Guard: (In silence or with dignified, quiet music as background, the Honor Guard moves into position around the table and simultaneously places the covers of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, and a civilian hat, on the dinner plate at each table setting. The Honor Guard then departs.) Moderator: Please be seated ....... I would like to explain the meaning of the items on this special table. The table is round -- to show our everlasting concern for our missing men. • Remember The tablecloth is white -- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty. • Remember The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and the[ir] loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep the faith, awaiting answers. • Remember The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing. • Remember A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land. • Remember A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers. • Remember The Bible represents the strength gained through faith to sustain those lost from our country, founded as one nation under God. • Remember The glass is inverted -- to symbolize their inability to share this evening's [morning’s/day’s] toast. The chairs are empty -- they are missing. • Remember Let us now raise our water glasses in a toast to honor America's POW/MIAs and to the success of our efforts to account for them. TABLE SET UP: 1. A small,
round bistro table Download the words in Adobe Acrobat Reader format HERE. |
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Download the words in Adobe Acrobat Reader format HERE. |
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To face the enemy on any ground I'll give my soul til death or maimed Freedoms a prize not left to fate Nor retreating in a battle-should my comrade fall I know not surrender nor victory forego For bravery and skill are at my command For many before me have sacrificed America the beautiful-of thee I'll sing Written by Major General John
T. Phillips (USAF Retired) Download the words in Adobe Acrobat Reader format HERE. |
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My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world's tallest buildings. I stand watch in America's halls of justice. I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer. I am recognized all over the world. I am worshipped I am saluted. I am loved I am revered. I am respected and I am feared. for more than 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge, Gettysburg, Shiloh and Appomattox. the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam. Okinawa, Korea and KheSan, Saigon, Vietnam know me, I was there. I was dirty, battle-tested and tired, but my soldiers cheered me And I was proud. And many lives have been lost But those who would destroy me cannot win For I am the symbol of freedom, Of one nation Under God Indivisible With liberty and justice for all. on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible. and trampled on the streets of my country. And when it's by those whom I've served in battle it hurts. But I shall overcome for I am stron and stood watch over the uncharted frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon. I have borne silent witness to all of America's finest hours. But my finest hours are yet to come. for my wounded comrades on the battlefield, When I am flown at half-mast to honor my soldier, Or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, I am proud. Download the words in Adobe Acrobat Reader format HERE. |
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I walked through a county courthouse square, On a park bench an old man was sitting there. I said, Your old courthouse is kinda run down. He said, Naw, it'll do for our little town. And that's a Ragged Old Flag you got hanging on it. He said, Have a seat, and I sat down. Is this the first time you've been to our little town? But we're kinda proud of that Ragged Old Flag. You see, we got a little hole in that flag there When Washington took it across the Delaware. With Packingham and Jackson tuggin' at its seams. And it almost fell at the Alamo Beside the Texas flag, but she waved on through. And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill. There was Robert E. Lee, Beauregard, and Bragg, And the south wind blew hard on that Ragged Old Flag. She got a big hole from a Bertha gun. She turned blood red in World War II She hung limp and low by the time it was through. She went where she was sent by her Uncle Sam. She waved from our ships upon the briny foam, And now they've about quit waving her back here at home. She's been burned, dishonored, denied and refused. And the government for which she stands Is scandalized throughout the land. But she's in good shape for the shape she's in. 'Cause she's been through the fire before And I believe she can take a whole lot more. We don't let her touch the ground And we fold her up right. On second thought I DO like to brag, 'Cause I'm mighty proud of that Ragged Old Flag.   © Written by Johnny Cash http://www.alighthouse.com/flag.htm |
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Day is done Gone the sun From the lakes From the hills From the sky All is well, safely rest. God is nigh. Fading light Dims the sight And a star Gems the sky, Gleaning bright From afar, Drawing nigh, Falls the night. Thanks and praise, For our days, Neath the sun, Neath the stars, Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is nigh. |
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Which must always come to pass, He hoped his shoes were shining, Just as brightly as his brass. How shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?" said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't, Because those of us who carry guns, Can't always be a saint. And at times my talk was tough, And sometimes I've been violent, Because the world is awfully rough. That wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep, And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear, And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears. Among the people here, They never wanted me around, Except to calm their fears. It needn't be so grand, I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand." Where the saints had often trod, As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God You've borne your burdens well, Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell." |
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He was getting old and paunchy and his hair was falling fast And he sat around the Legion telling stories of the past. Of a war he had fought in and the deeds that he had done In his exploits with his buddies: they were heroes, every one. And though sometimes to his neighbours, his tales became a joke. All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, for old Bill has passed away And the world's a littler poorer, for a soldier died today. For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life. Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way, And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today. While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great. Papers tell their whole life stories from the times that they were young. But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung. A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man? Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life? Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives. While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal and, perhaps, a pension small. That the old "Bills" or our Country went to battle, but we know It was not the politician, with their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys. Would you want a politician with her ever-shifting stand? Or would you prefer a soldier who has sworn to defend His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end? But his presence should remind us we may need his life again. For when Countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start. Then at least let's give homage at the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say, Our country is in mourning, for a soldier died today. written by Larry Vaincourt. |
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When I was young a friend on mine retired with 30 years of military service, more years than I had lived. I asked him if it was worth it, and a tear came to his eye. He said, son, I'd do it again and then he told me why. someone to guard our country night and day the way that I have done. better hours too, but the future of this country depends on folks like me and you. I've not got a lot to show and my years at home were few, but I did the job the best I could and now its up to you. near and I understand just how he felt and why I saw that tear. I've been gone from home a lot myself and I have a scar or two. But if I had it all to do again, I'd do the same thing too. will enlist to take my place. He'll ask me was it worth it and see a tear run down my face. They're good these young replacements, I work with them every day. With faith in God They'll do the job and the best of them will stay. Then in 30 years, a youngster who service just began, will ask and get the answer, son, I'd do it all again. |
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I WAS BORN ON THE 4TH OF JULY 1776 AND THE DECLARATION I AM MANY THINGS AND MANY PEOPLE. I AM THE NATION. HAVE LIVED AND DIED FOR ME. I REMEMBER THE ALAMO, THE MAIN, AND PEARL HARBOR. I AM THE GOLDEN GATE AND THE GRAND CANYON. I AM THE BALLOT DROPPED IN THE BOX, THE ROAR OF THE I WAS CONCEIVED IN FREEDOM AND GOD WILLING IN |
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Do not stand at my grave and
weep; Download the words in Adobe Acrobat Reader format HERE. |