Memorial Day Tribute: Appreciating U.S. Military Personnel [43 PICS]

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May 24th, 2012 Permalink

In 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, it was decided to decorate the graves of those who died in the war. Although it wasn’t yet called Memorial Day, it did begin with the idea of remembering and honoring soldiers. Americans do still visit graves and attend Memorial Day services, but over the years Memorial Day has morphed into a three day weekend of barbecues, boating and the opening of city swimming pools. We wanted to show our appreciation of the people in the military who put their lives on the line for America. Like in hug a soldier, these photos certainly don’t include everyone, but we liked them. This tribute is our way of saying thank you to our troops for all that you do and thank you to military families for the sacrifice and separation you endure. We appreciate you and Happy Memorial Day! [43 Photos]

U.S. Service members with the Texas Military Forces participate in Game 3 of the Major League Baseball World Series in Arlington, Texas

Happy Memorial Day! We’d like to pay a tribute to people in our military as well as kick off summer and baseball! DoD Photo #1 by Staff Sgt. Eric Wilson, U.S. Air Force

navy SEAL snipers

U.S. Navy SEAL snipers. Photo #2 by SEAL + SWCC



U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Brian Ehrlich, right, re-enlists U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Aron D. Jarvi during an underwater ceremony at Maeda Point, Okinawa, Japan

U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Brian Ehrlich, right, re-enlists U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Aron D. Jarvi during an underwater ceremony at Maeda Point, Okinawa, Japan. Jarvi, an avid scuba diver, enlisted in the Marine Corps for his second time during the ceremony. He is a warehouse clerk assigned to the Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force. U.S. Marine Corps Photo #3 by Lance Cpl. Robert J. Maurer

An FA 18 Hornet aircraft from the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron Blue Angels sits on the flight line as a wall of fire detonates behind it

An F/A 18 Hornet aircraft from the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, Blue Angels, sits on the flight line as a wall of fire detonates behind it. The Marine Corps Community Services-sponsored air show showcased the aerial prowess of the armed forces and appreciation of the civilian community’s support. DoD Photo #4 by Lance Cpl. Jamean R. Berry, U.S. Marine Corps

Crawling through mud, solider searches for the next covered fighting position

Crawling through mud, U.S. Army Pvt. Charles Shidler searches for the next covered fighting position during training for individual movement techniques at the Camp Ravenna Joint Maneuver Training Center in Ravenna, Ohio. The technique is one of more than 200 common tasks that Shidler and about 3,600 other soldiers assigned to the 37th brigade must complete before they deploy to Afghanistan. U.S. Army Photo #5 by Sgt. Sean Mathis

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen and Navy SEALs leap from the ramp of an Air Force C-17 transport aircraft during free-fall parachute training over Marine Corps Base Hawaii

U.S. Air Force pararescuemen and Navy SEALs leap from the ramp of an Air Force C-17 transport aircraft during free-fall parachute training over Marine Corps Base Hawaii. U.S. Marine Corps Photo #6 by Lance Cpl. Reece E. Lodde

A man walks through the Healing Field flag display near the Pentagon Memorial

A man walks through the Healing Field flag display near the Pentagon Memorial. Each flag represents someone who died on Sept. 11, 2001. U.S. Marine Corps Photo #7 by Lance Cpl. Bryan Carfrey

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew assigned to Air Station Los Angeles conducts a flyover of the Point Vicente Lighthouse as part of the memorial service

A U.S. Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin helicopter crew assigned to Air Station Los Angeles conducts a flyover of the Point Vicente Lighthouse as part of the memorial service for Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Fernando Jorge March 18, 2012, in Los Angeles. Jorge, along with Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, Lt. j.g. Thomas Cameron and Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Knight were killed when their helicopter crashed in Mobile Bay, Ala., during a training mission Feb. 28, 2012. DoD Photo #8 by Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Eggers, U.S. Coast Guard

Yokota comes together for Samurai Surge

Yokota comes together for Samurai Surge. U.S. Air Force Photo #9 by Osakabe Yasuo

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deploys flares during a flight over Afghanistan

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft from the 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deploys flares during a flight over Afghanistan. DoD Photo #11 by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon

U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Araiza uses a mine detector during a mission with Afghan police officers to search for enemy weapons caches

U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Araiza uses a mine detector during a mission with Afghan police officers to search for enemy weapons caches. Photo #12 by U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Andrew Smith

Former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier Paul McGowan drops into the opening ceremonies at the Joint Service Open House on Andrews Air Force Base, Md

Former U.S. Army Special Forces soldier Paul McGowan drops into the opening ceremonies at the Joint Service Open House on Andrews Air Force Base, Md. Department of Defense Photo #13 by Fred W. Baker III

U.S. Air Force Maj. Craig Morash, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10 close air support aircraft pilot, is greeted by his daughter, Adeline, after returning home from a deployment

U.S. Air Force Maj. Craig Morash, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10 close air support aircraft pilot, is greeted by his daughter, Adeline, after returning home from a deployment to Southwest Asia. U.S. Air Force Photo #14 by Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.

search and rescue swimmer assigned to the amphibious transport is lowered from the forecastle

U.S. Navy Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jonathan A. Simmons, a search and rescue swimmer assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), is lowered from the forecastle during a man overboard drill in the East China Sea. DoD Photo #15 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Casey H. Kyhl, U.S. Navy

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender as part of the annual Falcon Air Meet near Azraq Air Base, Jordan. The F-16 is part of the 77th Fighter Squadron on Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. The KC-10 is from the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron based on Joint Base McGuire, N.J. U.S. Air Force Photo #16 by Staff Sgt. Eric Harris

An Army soldier provides security for his team during a foot patrol while training at Camp Atterbury's Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind.

An Army soldier provides security for his team during a foot patrol while training at Camp Atterbury’s Joint Maneuver Training Center, Ind. The soldier is assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group. U.S. Army Photo #17 by Staff Sgt. David Bruce

Picture of his family in his helmet while out on a combat patrol

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane displays a picture of his family in his helmet while out on a combat patrol in the Alingar District, Afghanistan. Crane is a combat cameraman attched to Laghman provincial reconstruction team and is tasked with documenting the mission for historical purposes. U.S. Army Photo #18 by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane

Attack of the frogman, submarine, SEALs

Attack of the frogmen, SEALs with a submarine. Photo #19 by SEAL + SWCC

USAF F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft is illuminated by a lightning storm near Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan

USAF F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft is illuminated by a lightning storm near Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force Photo #20 by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle sails toward New York Harbor to anchor at the Statue of Liberty

The Coast Guard Cutter Eagle sails toward New York Harbor to anchor at the Statue of Liberty. U.S. Coast Guard Photo #21 by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ann Marie Gorden

pararescueman free falls

A pararescueman from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick Air Force Base, Fla., free falls from a HC-130P/N King refueling aircraft at 3,500 feet during a Cocoa Beach Air Show. Pararescuemen are able to perform life-saving missions in the world’s most remote areas, by air, land or water. USAF Photo #22 by Mike Brown

Navy flight deck personnel with little helper -- military appreciation

A sponsored tiger cruise participant waves a flag signifying a class bravo fire as flight deck personnel demonstrate aircraft firefighting drills to friends and family aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson during the ship’s tiger cruise in the Pacific Ocean. The Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 recently completed a deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility. U.S. Navy Photo #23 by Petty Officer 2nd Class James R. Evans

The "Wall of Fire" is in the "Guinness Book of World Records" as the longest exploding line of ordnance in 2000

The main attraction of the 2009 Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show went off with a bang at approximately 9 p.m. silhouetting the F/A-18 Hornets with the U.S. Navy Jet Demonstration Squadron, “The Blue Angels,” Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The “Wall of Fire” is in the “Guinness Book of World Records” as the longest exploding line of ordnance in 2000. U.S. Marine Corps Photo #24 by Cpl. Melissa Tugwell

A participant in the Bataan Memorial Death March carries a prisoners of war and missing in action flag along the course at the White Sands Missile Range, N.M

A participant in the Bataan Memorial Death March carries a prisoners of war and missing in action flag along the course at the White Sands Missile Range, N.M. DoD Photo #25 by Daniel Liddicoet, U.S. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Frazier of the 711th Special Operations Squadron receives an overdue hug from his daughter after returning from a deployment to Southwest Asia

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas Frazier of the 711th Special Operations Squadron receives an overdue hug from his daughter after returning from a deployment to Southwest Asia. U.S. Air Force Photo #26 by Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.

U.S. Army soldiers pay final respects during a memorial service, honoring three fallen comrades killed in action from a rocket attack

U.S. Army soldiers pay final respects during a memorial service honoring three fallen comrades killed in action from a rocket attack on Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq. The soldiers are assigned to the 34th Infantry Division’s 34th Military Police Company, Special Troops Battalion. U.S. Army Photo #27 by Spc. Tyler Maulding

U.S. Air Force Airmen perform honor duties

U.S. Air Force Airmen perform honor duties. U.S. Air Force Photo #28 by Airman 1st Class Chad Strohmeyer

Pilots conduct preflight checklists in the cockpit of a B-1B Lancer aircraft

U.S. Air Force Capt. Derek Oakley, left, and Maj. Chris Lovegren, both pilots assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, conduct preflight checklists in the cockpit of a B-1B Lancer aircraft prior to taking off from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.. DoD Photo #29 by Airman 1st Class Corey Hook, U.S. Air Force

Blue Angels perform aerobatic maneuvers for military and civilians during the Kaneohe Bay Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay on Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Members of the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, perform aerobatic maneuvers for military and civilians during the Kaneohe Bay Air Show at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay. U.S. Marine Corps Photo #30 by Lance Cpl. Tyler L. Main

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Wayne Snelling, left, watches as Lance Cpl. Taylor Slay shares a piece of his steak with Mac, a military working dog, at Camp Leathernick in Afghanistan

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Wayne Snelling, left, watches as Lance Cpl. Taylor Slay shares a piece of his steak with Mac, a military working dog, at Patrol Base Wolfpack, 30 miles from the Pakistan board in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Steak Team Mission, a nonprofit organization from Dallas, served 2nd Marine Division’s Marines and sailors steak dinners in seven locations within a five-day period. U.S. Marine Corps Photo #31 by Sgt. Earnest J. Barnes

night fire range

Sgt. 1st Class Michael Prigge, assigned to the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence, observes the finale to the Department of the Army Best Warrior Competition 2011 night fire range on Fort Lee, Va., Oct. 5, 2011. During the event, Prigge was one of many pyrotechnic technicians responsible for the simulated battlefield explosions surrounding the warriors while they fired at pop-up targets from the prone supported and prone unsupported firing positions. Photo #32 by U.S. Department of Defense Current Photos

U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel unfurl an American flag on the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at a Memorial Day ceremony during Fleet Week New York

U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel unfurl an American flag on the flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at a Memorial Day ceremony during Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week has been New York City’s celebration of the sea services since 1984 and is an opportunity for citizens of New York and the surrounding area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and see firsthand the capabilities of today’s maritime services. DoD Photo #33 by Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew R. White, U.S. Navy

honorary soldier

Erick Morales, 13 years old, sports a Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center fire helmet and certificate presented to him by Army Staff Sgt. Alan Snook, the camp fire chief, in Guernsey, Wyo. Erick spent the day at the Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center as an honorary soldier. Erick suffers from muscular dystrophy and scoliosis. The day was organized by the Wyoming National Guard after receiving a request from the Morales family to help Erick live his dream of becoming a soldier. U.S. Army Photo #34 by 1st Lt. Christian Venhuizen

Landing Craft, Air Cushion 10, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, makes a late afternoon run to the beach while transporting U.S. Marines and vehicles back to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex

Landing Craft, Air Cushion 10, assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, makes a late afternoon run to the beach while transporting U.S. Marines and vehicles back to the amphibious assault ship USS Essex. U.S. Navy Photo #35 by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabriel S. Weber

U.S. Sailors with Electronic Attack Squadron 131 perform final checks on an EA-6B Prowler aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln

U.S. Sailors with Electronic Attack Squadron 131 perform final checks on an EA-6B Prowler aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. DoD Photo #36 by Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis K. Mendoza, U.S. Navy

A pyrotechnics display is detonated near the flight line at Naval Air Station Brunswick during The Great State of Maine Air Show, Brunswick, Maine

A pyrotechnics display is detonated near the flight line at Naval Air Station Brunswick during The Great State of Maine Air Show, Brunswick, Maine. The air show brought performances by the Blue Angels, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, and a wide variety of static displays and interactive exhibits. More than 150,000 people attended over three days. U.S. Navy Photo #37 by Petty Officer 1st Class Roger S. Duncan

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Gibson scans the terrain while his battle buddies keep a watchful eye from the water

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Gibson scans the terrain while his battle buddies keep a watchful eye from the water. U.S. Army Photo #38 by Sgt. Sheila Holifield

Four U.S. Navy FA-18 Hornet aircraft fly over mountains during a mission in Afghanistan

Four U.S. Navy FA-18 Hornet aircraft fly over mountains during a mission in Afghanistan. U.S. Air Force Photo #39 by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin

Airdrop -- aircrew of the C-17 air dropped 40 bundles to a remote outpost in Afghanistan. Aerial delivery of critical supplies decreases the total number of resupply convoys conducted in high-threat areas

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Peter Jensen, a loadmaster assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, collects the straps that restrain airdrop bundles in the back of a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft. Jensen and the aircrew of the C-17 air dropped 40 bundles to a remote outpost in Afghanistan. Aerial delivery of critical supplies decreases the total number of resupply convoys conducted in high-threat areas. U.S. Air Force Photo #40 by Master Sgt. Jeffrey Allen

Firefighters battle a blaze at part of the lodging facilities of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Firefighters battle a blaze at part of the lodging facilities of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. All occupants of the lodging facility were accounted for and no injuries were reported. U.S. Air Force Photo #41 by Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf

More than 500 veterans who escorted the unclaimed remains of seven Iowa veterans to their final resting at Iowa Veterans Cemetery

More than 500 veterans who escorted the unclaimed remains of seven Iowa veterans to their final resting at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. U.S. Navy Photo #42 by Senior Chief Petty Officer Gary Ward

Gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery are decorated by U.S. flags on Memorial Day weekend

The gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery are decorated by U.S. flags on Memorial Day weekend. Photo #43 by Kathleen T. Rhem

We hesitated to add this as we didn’t want those loved ones who are separated to feel sadder, but in the end we added it cause we know I Miss You fits. You can download the song for free at www.truemusiconline.com. Video #1 from Lifted via TrueMusicArtists



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