Today, as the nation pauses for Memorial Day, the staff at RevolverGuy would like to recognize the men and women who gave “the last full measure of devotion” in the service of their country, and express our respect and gratitude.
We would be remiss if we didn’t also recognize the families and comrades they left behind. Their war is ongoing, and their sacrifices are no less worthy of our attention.
If you’re new to RevolverGuy, please turn back a few pages to visit Justin’s remembrance of Gunnery Sergeant Terry W. Ball, Jr., from last year. Take a moment to reflect on the gift that GySgt Ball and others like him have given all of us.
We are truly blessed to live in the greatest nation on Earth, but must never forget there’s a price that was paid to make and keep it that way. So today, we pause . . . not to celebrate, but to remember and honor.
Thank you, Mike, for reminding us that this is not just a shopping day.
My family never does that, as an uncle died on the original date of Memorial Day, on May 30, 1945. He was an 18-year-old Navy Corpsman assigned to the 6th Marine division in Naha, Okinawa. For gallantry under fire, while pulling several wounded men to safety, he was awarded, posthumously, the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. We have the USMC letter, to this day. The original vanished but thanks to the miracle of Photoshop, I recovered the text from a photo of my grandfather holding it, while my grandmother accepted the medals. Every great-grandchild has a copy of the letter and photo, now.
We will do our best to recall him and live up to his example. Be sure all of you pass on these stories to those who come after. Semper Fidelis!
We are all in your uncle’s debt, and I appreciate you sharing his story with us. I’m proud of him and what he represents, and can only imagine how much more he means to you and your family.
These men and women represent the best that America had to offer. I salute them all.
Mike,
Thank you for the heartfelt words about those we honor today, and also the ones left behind. Was the photo that Patreon showed in their email notification of this post taken by you? “This is a photograph I took in Iraq in 2004 upon the death of Sergeant David Caruso. ” If so, I am sorry for the loss of your fellow comrade.
WGJ
Judy, that was taken by me in Al Qa’im Iraq. Dave was killed on that deployment, as were several others from 2nd Force Recon Company (Foster Harrington, Benjamin Edinger, and Tom Houser). I continue to lose friends and colleagues, and unfortunately just attended a funeral last month for one of them. I need to write something for all of them but it is a struggle to write those posts.
Best,
Justin
Justin,
The photo for Dave expressed so much, more than just a waving flag. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is to write about the friends you have lost. I’ve read over and over that Veterans really don’t like to talk about what happened “over there.” Thank you for words you do share about those you were deployed with and who are now gone.
WGJ
As those of us who have survived life’s battles, whether in the military, in law enforcement (or both for some of us) as we get older and carry those scars as ever present reminders, and as we acquire additional physical issues, we should be grateful for our present state in life — for there are far too many young men and women who never got this opportunity.
Amen, brother. Thanks for sharing that excellent thought.