Memorial Day

[ruehlj]

On Memorial Day, remember those who made the ultimate sacrafice.

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

 

[otis]

I grew up in Glens Falls, New York.

Although I no longer live there Memorial Day always causes me to reflect on the carnage which wars bring about, Three kids who lived within a one block of my home, including my next door neighbor never made it back from Vietnam.

Glens Falls had a population of just 17,000+/- people in 1970 but it paid a heavy price during the Vietnam "conflict". Glens Falls lost twelve (12) of its sons fighting the Vietnam - 6 in just one 4 month period.

Here is a list of the Glens Falls residents that lost their lives in the Vietnam war.

Albert Ayres, died February 24, 1967 at age 35
Jimmy Bates, died March 19, 1967 at age 20
Johnny Pezzulo, died March 21, 1967 at age 21
Howard Beagle, died April 10, 1967 at age 21
Joseph Coloti, died April 19, 1967 at age 19
Robert Berry, died May 16, 1967 at age 24
Peter Butler, died January 31, 1968 at age 24
Jimmy VanTassell, died July 5, 1968 at age 21
Gerald Hammond, died October 5, 1968 at age 21
Joe Murphy, died May 4, 1969 at age 20
Eddy Smith, died February 3, 1970 at age 19
Michael Balamonti, died November 24, 1969 at age 36