Open thread: Who are you honoring this weekend?
May 26th, 2012
02:00 AM ET

Open thread: Who are you honoring this weekend?

As the country heads into the Memorial Day weekend, the traditional kickoff to the summer travel season, there are almost 1.5 million U.S soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deployed in war zones or combat missions worldwide.

So far, more than 6,400 U.S. servicemen and servicewomen have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - 3,000 in Afghanistan alone - and at least 48,000 more have been wounded.

We encourage you to spend some time looking at our Home and Away feature, where you can discover the individual stories of the fallen.

Do you have a friend or family member in service? Tell in the comments who you are honoring this weekend.
Filed under: Iraq War • Military
soundoff (96 Responses)
  1. Guerlin Saturne

    I am Honoring JESUS CHRIST GOD ALL MIGHTY and the VETERAN"S that Died in Iraq and Afghanistan
    My Friend's that Died in Afghanistan that did not come back Home to their Familie's Member
    E.Turner ( Old Man Turner )
    WOODS
    ETC

    May 26, 2012 at 2:14 am | Report abuse |
  2. raven

    Dear Soldier,

    I remember you.

    Love,
    America

    May 26, 2012 at 3:03 am | Report abuse |
  3. Joey Isotta-Fraschini ©™

    Ritchie
    Sean

    May 26, 2012 at 7:58 am | Report abuse |
  4. eshinesu

    I would honor our soldiers,
    but do not know them.

    I would honor our heroes,
    but I do not see them.

    I would speak of them,
    but they have not appeared.

    Instead,
    the pain-filled screams for help and for justice
    fall on their deaf ears
    as they cover their eyes
    with numb hands.

    May 26, 2012 at 8:48 am | Report abuse |
  5. .

    I honor all those who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom.

    May 26, 2012 at 8:49 am | Report abuse |
  6. jon

    My Dad, Merle C Meyers, a WWII Veteran who passed away Feb 28, 2010. We honor all our military who have served to protect our country, yesterday, today and tomorrow. THANK YOU for your service and love of country.

    May 26, 2012 at 8:57 am | Report abuse |
  7. Znod

    I am honoring all of those that do their jobs day-to-day (i.e., those that do more or less what is expected by society on a day-to-day) without imposing the excessive costs of dysfunctional behavior (e.g., harming others when unnecessary and being obese, etc., etc., etc.) on society. In sum, I am honoring those who lead productive and balanced lives without harming others unnecessarily.

    May 26, 2012 at 9:20 am | Report abuse |
  8. Jeff Frank (R-Ohio) "Right Wing Insanity"

    Arn

    May 26, 2012 at 9:26 am | Report abuse |
  9. Roy

    I' am honoring my son {and his team}, a Marine who as many before him and with him has volunteered to give their lives for our freedom, as his grandfather, his father and uncles did before him. I am honoring the children, parents, wives, husbands and all other families that has lost love ones and received injured love one from battle. With tears, I would like to say, thank you all for your free will service.

    May 26, 2012 at 9:48 am | Report abuse |
  10. Jj

    Very moving. God bless America! Thank you uncle Luke, john, and mark.

    May 26, 2012 at 9:52 am | Report abuse |
    • dazzle ©

      @©bobcat (in a hat)©, I am still laughing, my neighbors are bound to call the police on me because I have all of the windows opened. "Officer, take that crazy woman away to the nearest insane asylum." I can tell that it is true, since I dealt with those types first hand. The gato has been well spoiled and she is working me over by sprawling out on my desk.

      May 26, 2012 at 11:32 pm | Report abuse |
    • ©bobcat (in a hat)©

      @ dazzle ©

      Well I'm glad your gato has decided to once again give you the honor of being in her presence. I love cat's to death. We're supposed to go Monday to get a new kit ten. It's a persian mix. I love those furry cats for some reason.

      May 26, 2012 at 11:44 pm | Report abuse |
    • dazzle ©

      @©bobcat (in a hat)©, Yes she is now sitting in front of me with her sister looking on wondering what the fuss was all about. I adore the furry, fluffy ones too. That is wonderful that you are getting a new gato. Think of it as an anniversary present for you and your wife. Oh look who popped up again. You just have to say the name and it appears like a magic trick gone wrong.

      May 26, 2012 at 11:49 pm | Report abuse |
  11. E.A. Aguilar, US Army (Ret)

    MM3 Esteban R. Aguilar
    Marfa, TX
    US Navy
    World War II

    May 26, 2012 at 9:53 am | Report abuse |
  12. saywhat

    While we honor the veterans and organizations have started doing good work to make the nation aware of their problems and needs , one painful aspect of Iraq/Afghan wars is neglected.
    The military suicides and affected families. No specific figures are released except that these suicides spiked up 80% during 2004-2008 both on the battlefield and among returning soldiers.
    These families also need our support.

    May 26, 2012 at 9:58 am | Report abuse |
  13. saywhat

    My prayers are for our soldiers to return home soonest from these senseless wars and blood shed.

    May 26, 2012 at 10:00 am | Report abuse |
  14. Michigander5

    My Grandfather; Corporal Lawson Gordon; 8th division 121st infantry regiment; Automatic Riflemen ( Browning Automatic Rifle). He Landed in Normandy July 4th, after the beaches had been taken. His Division was responsible for pushing through France and Liberating the town of Rennes and Brest. After this the Division turned towards the German border; Entering Luxemburg and fighting in the Battle of Huertgen Forrest where he lost his left leg.

    Huertgen Forrest was one of the bloodiest battles of World War 2 but is overshadowed by the later Battle of the Bulge.

    R.I.P Grand-dad

    May 26, 2012 at 10:08 am | Report abuse |
  15. dazzle ©

    I am honoring my big brother Paul who is an MIA from Viet Nam. Memorial Day would be his 63rd birthday. He drew a low number in the draft and refused to dodge it even though he had a brilliant college career planned. The last letter I have of his was sent from DaNang to his 7 year old sister.

    May 26, 2012 at 10:14 am | Report abuse |
    • .

      God bless you and your family.

      May 26, 2012 at 10:20 am | Report abuse |
    • Jj

      amen to brother Paul and his service to our great nation. While I try to catch some fish today, I am reminded that I am able to do so because of the sacrifices that everyday Americans have given.

      May 26, 2012 at 10:38 am | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      Darling dazzle©, I shall light a candle in his memory, and hope that he shall be retuned to his loving family one day.
      (((Hugs)))

      May 26, 2012 at 10:45 am | Report abuse |
    • banasy©

      @Jj:
      How beautifully put...and how true!

      May 26, 2012 at 10:48 am | Report abuse |
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