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There are some truly amazing memorials out there, whether in Washington, DC, at a hometown location, OCONUS, or anywhere else around the world; many are epic works of art in their own right, some are well known (with a national or international audiences), while others quietly tell their story relatively unknown to the masses. So, what's your most memorable military or military-related display or memorial? Where's it located and how/why does it move you? What is it that you find most compelling about the memorial or location? What makes this particular place or time unique, interesting, thought-provoking, moving, or special to you? Please feel free to share your stories, photographs, links, video or anything else needed to tell your story. This should be both fun and informative, and we'll get to learn a bit of history, context, and a little bit about each other in the process; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!
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Motivation
Memorial
Motivation Memorial
Edited >1 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 110
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As the current Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier my vote is resoundingly.....The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This naitonal shrine is a living testament to the dedication of every current and former service member. It is both a Memorial and Gravesite in one. The stone of the Tomb is from the same quarry as the stone of the Lincoln Monument. It is an honor to watch Sentinels uphold the standards, traditions, and esprit de corp of the military.
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MSG William Wold
2013 I was able to go to Hawaii where my step son is stationed as an officer in the Air Force. I stayed in his condo, had a free uniformed chauffer! Even got booked on not only a special full harbor tour but the the Arizona. Also got the tour of the Missouri. The HAM radio club I used to belong to had a special event radio contact on the Missouri the year before she left Bremerton, WA for Hawaii, which was really special then.
I had the privilege of watching that Tomb of the unknown Soldier ceremony this past Thanksgiving. I am in awe.
Also long overdue was the visit to the Vietnam Wall. My best High School friend is on there , Paul D Kreger, Panel 02W Line 108. 1ST BN, 7TH CAV RGT, 1 CAV DIV. KIA Feb 1972. I had only found out a few days before he was KIA that he was even in country as I was. But I was too late to make arrangements to see him
He was one year behind me in school. He wasn't supposed to be there. He was supposed to have graduated and had a college scholarship for baseball. But he stayed late the day before graduation to take an English test, and missed the test by one point. ONE POINT, therefore he didn't graduate!
Oh I visit his grave in my old home town on his birthday in April, but had yet to visit the Wall..
Nothing can prepare you for the emotions that come up at the Wall. There is so much energy there, from those that are there from when you are, the ones that have visited in the past, and the names; almost live spirits that are on the wall..
So I guess I have to say that the "wall" is not in terms of "favorite" But my most important to me. For my friend to be remembered of the ultimate sacrifice he made. Sadly, we do not know the name (S) of the Unknown Soldier and I totally respect the care in preserving the honoring of the soldiers known only to God.
I had the privilege of watching that Tomb of the unknown Soldier ceremony this past Thanksgiving. I am in awe.
Also long overdue was the visit to the Vietnam Wall. My best High School friend is on there , Paul D Kreger, Panel 02W Line 108. 1ST BN, 7TH CAV RGT, 1 CAV DIV. KIA Feb 1972. I had only found out a few days before he was KIA that he was even in country as I was. But I was too late to make arrangements to see him
He was one year behind me in school. He wasn't supposed to be there. He was supposed to have graduated and had a college scholarship for baseball. But he stayed late the day before graduation to take an English test, and missed the test by one point. ONE POINT, therefore he didn't graduate!
Oh I visit his grave in my old home town on his birthday in April, but had yet to visit the Wall..
Nothing can prepare you for the emotions that come up at the Wall. There is so much energy there, from those that are there from when you are, the ones that have visited in the past, and the names; almost live spirits that are on the wall..
So I guess I have to say that the "wall" is not in terms of "favorite" But my most important to me. For my friend to be remembered of the ultimate sacrifice he made. Sadly, we do not know the name (S) of the Unknown Soldier and I totally respect the care in preserving the honoring of the soldiers known only to God.
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SFC Steven Borders
That is one of the most humbling experiences I have every witnessed. The amount of dedication you and all your troops commit to this duty is amazing. I have the utmost respect for what you guys do.
I am glad I got to take my father there MSgt (Join to see). It is something I will not forget. Hooah!
I am glad I got to take my father there MSgt (Join to see). It is something I will not forget. Hooah!
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Suspended Profile
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Bell Huey UH-1</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">D Helicopter </span><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Tail # 68-15543 Dustoff / Medivac Markings. Served with</span></font><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">o 68th Assault Helicopter Co "Thunderbirds" Vietnam 8/1969-11/1970</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">o 118th Assault Helicopter Co "Top Tigers" Vietnam 12/1970-2/1971</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">o University of Michigan Naval Research Lab 5/1971-12/1971</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">o 421st Medical Co Medivac Germany 1/1972-12/1975</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">o (Retired) American Legion Post 139, 104 Old Milford Road (SR 2001), Milford, PA 18337</span></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#000000" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br></span></font><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br></span></div></div></div>
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I was a Recruiter and enlisted this amazing young man into the Army as Airborne Infantry w/ Ranger. He always called me "sarge" and hated it, but he was a great kid. He went off to training and completed it all to include Ranger school. He went to Ft. Drum, immediately deployed to Afghanistan and was killed Aug 20, 2009.. The entire community where I recruited came together and presented a memorial stone in front of his high school (he also volunteered his time to assist in coaching track and C.C.).. His parents were very grateful and so was I. This is a touchy subject, but wanted to share my favorite memorial.
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MSG (Join to see)
I appreciate the kind words SN Henry! I've been to Ft. Drum, it is a beautiful place!
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SSG (Join to see)
sorry for your loss SSG M. and that is a sad, touching story.
Here is a poem I came across during my 08-09 Deployment. I hope it has the same effect on you all as it does me.
"The Soldier who Rode One In"
-We should all bear one thing in mind when we talk about a Soldier who "rode one in",
He called upon the sum of all his knowledge and made a judgement. He
believed in it so strongly that he knowingly bet his life on it.
That he was mistaken in his judgement is a tragedy, not stupidity.
Every supervisor and contemporary who ever spoke to him had an
opportunity to influence his judgement, so a little bit of all of us
goes in with every troop we lose.
--UNK
Here is a poem I came across during my 08-09 Deployment. I hope it has the same effect on you all as it does me.
"The Soldier who Rode One In"
-We should all bear one thing in mind when we talk about a Soldier who "rode one in",
He called upon the sum of all his knowledge and made a judgement. He
believed in it so strongly that he knowingly bet his life on it.
That he was mistaken in his judgement is a tragedy, not stupidity.
Every supervisor and contemporary who ever spoke to him had an
opportunity to influence his judgement, so a little bit of all of us
goes in with every troop we lose.
--UNK
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PV2 (Join to see)
So sorry for your loss MSG (Join to see). Thank you for sharing your deeply personal story
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