Yesterday my family had a memorial service for my late uncle. These 2 pics that my sister captured really put the day in perspective.

http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab175/PW-Racing/Personal/Donna_Don_2.jpg
http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab175/PW-Racing/Personal/Donna_Don.jpg


That last pic sends chills up my spine everytime I see it. Lets not forget the troops who are currently fighting for our freedom as well as the Vets who did it in previous years.

Add up all those men and women who've died in wars and conflicts over the last 231 years along with the covert and overt operations such as; Grenada, Panama, Mogadishu, and the Balkans you end up with a tally of nearly 1,346,000+ men and women who've given their lives to protect the freedoms and interests of United States of America.

Sorry for you lost Andy....

Its a sad reality to put into perspective of all the Lives and Familys lost during times of war.

Newfie.

Sorry for your loss Andy, Military funerals are the hardest. Both of my parents served for 20+ years. A friend of mine was killed in Afghanistan this past december, just before he was supposed to come in January, and my brother in law is tactical special forces and has been in Afghanistan for the last 9 months. I'm thankful every day for our troops and what they sacrifice so we can enjoy our freedom. So i thank your uncle for protecting us and serving this country. Like they say, Freedom, IS NOT free.

Sorry for your loss. A salute from me and mine to you and yours.

Eskle

I'm sorry for your loss Andy, my prayers go out to you and your family.

im very sorry andy. Ive done funeral detail before..both as a rifleman and a flag folder. It very hard but you do get a sense of pride knowing you are there for a fellow service members' family in their darkest hour. We take care of our own, in life and death.

I am also very sorry for your loss Andy. We can only hope that your uncle is in a much better place now. I often think about the men and women who fight for this country everyday and do anything I can to pass along my prayers. I have many close friends who are deported or are currently in the act of being deported. It is a very scary reality they face; however, tt is one of the greatest honors in the world. Nothing will ever take that away from your uncle. May he rest in peace.

hey andy sorry for ur loss! and a salute to our troops!!

Amen brother.

Thanks for posting, Andy. My condolences for your loss. I feel privileged and grateful to have served in the military for as long as I have, and not to have stared death in the face. Like Ryan, I try to volunteer for funeral details every chance I get. For me, it's not only an honor to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, but it also serves as a reminder of how precious life is. Seeing the misery on the faces to those families who are left behind really puts things into perspective...
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