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Praetorium Honoris

Sunday, May 28, 2023

Never Forget ...

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Yes, this is a rerun, a post I have done for a few years and will probably use again. But it expresses how I feel about Memorial Day, I remember those who have gone before, I cherish their memories.


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They were people, just like you and me.

They had hopes, they had dreams, they had people who loved them.

One day they went out to do their duty ...

And never came home.

Remember them, say their names ...

I remember these fine men, always, but particularly at this time of year.

I knew some, I miss them all.

Captain Carroll F. LeFon, Jr.
United States Navy
Lance Corporal Kurt E. Dechen
United States Marine Corps
Major Taj Sareen
United States Marine Corps
Lieutenant Nathan T. Poloski
United States Navy
Private Robert Bain
Royal Scots Fusiliers
(No photo available)

(Source)
Private First Class Albert J. Dentino,
United States Army

Photo courtesy of Kris in New England

Submitted by the readers in 2022 ...

SP5 Wayne S. Bates, "Doc"
United States Army

KIA 06 January 1968, Republic of Vietnam, Binh Duong province

It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. This prayer is a way for families, friends and fellow veterans to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.

LCpl Gary Arthur Holsclaw
United States Marine Corps

B CO, 1ST BN, 9TH MARINES, 3RD MARDIV, III MAF
KIA 02 July 1967 Operation Buffalo
Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam

Gary, we were best friends since we were 9. All the hikes, the football practices, the movies and dances; piano recitals, sleepovers, guarding the school, panning for gold, learning to drive, flying with your dad are still embedded in my mind. Even the moment I learned of your death. My dreams of your return have stopped, but my love for you will never end. You were my brother and friend. We will always be comrades in uniform and out. No hill in Viet Nam or distance on Earth could separate us. I know you are in God's hands, but I still miss you. I'll see you there someday. Ken

SSG Brian T. Craig
United States Army
Died 15 Apr 2002
Kandahar, Kandahar District, Afghanistan

Army Staff Sgt Craig was assigned to 710th Explosive Ordnance Detachment, San Diego, California. Craig was killed in an accidental detonation of enemy rockets. Brian graduated in 1993 from Klein Forest High School in Houston, Texas. Teachers remember his determination about entering the military upon graduation with the intent of making it his career. He was an exceptional student who once wrote a resume that one teacher used for years as an example to other students. After graduation, Brian enlisted in the Army where he served in Anchorage, Alaska. When he re-enlisted, he served in an elite explosive ordnance disposal group. During his time in the military, he served in Bosnia/Kosovo and North Korea. He was sent to Afghanistan in November 2001. Craig's family last heard from him on the Saturday before he was killed. He just wanted to let them know he was OK and didn't want them to worry about him.

Captain James Albert Graham
United States Marine Corps
Medal of Honor
KIA 02 June 1967
Quang Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam
Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. During Operation Union II, the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, consisting of Companies A and D, with Capt. Graham's company attached, launched an attack against an enemy-occupied position with two companies assaulting and one in reserve. Company F, a leading company, was proceeding across a clear paddy area 1,000 meters wide, attacking toward the assigned objective, when it came under fire from mortars and small arms which immediately inflicted a large number of casualties. Hardest hit by the enemy fire was the 2d platoon of Company F, which was pinned down in the open paddy area by intense fire from two concealed machine guns. Forming an assault unit from members of his small company headquarters, Capt. Graham boldly led a fierce assault through the second platoon's position, forcing the enemy to abandon the first machine-gun position, thereby relieving some of the pressure on his second platoon, and enabling evacuation of the wounded to a more secure area. Resolute to silence the second machine gun, which continued its devastating fire, Capt. Graham's small force stood steadfast in its hard-won enclave. Subsequently, during the afternoon's fierce fighting, he suffered two minor wounds while personally accounting for an estimated 15 enemy killed. With the enemy position remaining invincible upon each attempt to withdraw to friendly lines, and although knowing that he had no chance of survival, he chose to remain with one man who could not be moved due to the seriousness of his wounds. The last radio transmission from Capt. Graham reported that he was being assaulted by a force of 25 enemy soldiers; he died while protecting himself and the wounded man he chose not to abandon. Capt. Graham's actions throughout the day were a series of heroic achievements. His outstanding courage, superb leadership, and indomitable fighting spirit undoubtedly saved the second platoon from annihilation and reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.



When You Go Home,
Tell Them Of Us And Say, 
For Their Tomorrow, 
We gave Our Today

- John Maxwell Edmonds 

Enjoy the day, but take a moment to remember ...



26 comments:

  1. Aye, for the many we remember, too many.........

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    1. A friend of mine once mentioned that "every day is Memorial Day." For so many that is true, remembering those they knew personally. This weekend, we remember them all.

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  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiGU-0iElko

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  3. From the bottom of my heart and for my extended family, thank you Sarge.

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    Replies
    1. When I went back and read last year's version, I knew I had to include those names this year. And every year ...

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  4. Thank you for remembering. I know it's easy - and painful - for us to do, every day. And I thank you for doing so. May you and yours have a blessed day.

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  5. Memorial Day can be every day. While having lunch with a grandson and my daughter-in-law, they propped up a cell phone in an empty chair showing a picture of my late son, in dress blues and smiling, where we all could see. Grandson explained they do that so his Dad could always be with them.

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  6. Slow, hand salute.
    JB

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  7. Very nice. Sad, but nice.

    And to all those who came back but didn't. Like Major Whittlesby, who was broken by the loss of his men, who then decided to walk off the deck of a passenger liner in mid-ocean.

    Too many have come back broken or only come back in body only.

    Or so broken in body that they be considered as fallen once they pass.

    I am one of those fortunate ones. All my ancestors and their families survived whatever conflicts were happening at the time.

    But. To Sgt First Class Paul R. Smith, MOH, April 4, 2003, Baghdad, Iraq. Only passing acquaintance, but you stood when your men needed you.

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    1. SFC Smith, died that others ight live. A toast to his memory.

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    2. Beans, thank you for the reference on Major Whittlesby. I had never read that story before.

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    3. Ricky Schroeder did an excellent job of playing Major Whittlesby in the movie "The Lost Battalion." Very realistic, good acting, and also tells the story of Cher Ami, a rather famous pigeon. That action also generated some MOH recipients. Vicious horrid fighting, thanks to the fecklessness of the French and English.

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  8. Lieutenant Straughan Downing Kelsey, Jr. was a Platoon Commander serving with Captain James Graham in F/2/5. He was killed in action 02 June 1967 on Operation Union II in Quang Tin Province, Vietnam. His sister, Marianne Kelsey Orestis, wrote the following tribute to his life in 2014.

    My Brother Stevie: A Marine's Untold Story
    Vietnam 1967
    by Marianne Kelsey Orestis

    Semper Fidelis

    Further information about Operation Union II are available a US Marine Corps publication; "U.S. Marines in Vietnam: "Fighting the North Vietnamese 1967". It's worth a read especially mention of how post-battle, Marines and enemy forces intermingled in recovering dead and wounded.

    This volume is largely based on the holdings of the Marine Corps Historical Center. Concentrating on the ground war in I Corps and III MAF's perspective of the Vietnam War as an entity. It also covers the Marine Corps participation in the advisory effort and the services of Marines with the staff of the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for those resources.

      May Lieutenant Kelsey's memory be a blessing.

      The book is available on Amazon, a quick glance shows it to be a fine tribute from a loving sister to her brother.

      I bought it, should have it Tuesday. Book report to follow.

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  9. Well, we gratefully rerun Memorial Day so a rerun to remember them is perfectly justified.

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    Replies
    1. I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right.

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  10. 2nd. Lt. Frank Evans, 397th Bomb Group, 597th bomb Squadron, KIA, May 13, 1944.

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    Replies
    1. May he rest in peace. Gone, but not forgotten.

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  11. Thanks once again Sarge. Been traveling.
    If I may;
    Cpl. Genetian Marku USMC
    MAJ Jeffrey Tozlovski USASF
    Boat Guy

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    Replies
    1. Never too late. Couldn't find MAJ Tozlovski.

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Just be polite... that's all I ask. (For Buck)
Can't be nice, go somewhere else...

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