Memorial Day 2016

On Memorial Day, we honor those who have fallen in service to our country.  I have compiled a list of service men and women from Bossier Parish who have died in action, beginning with World War I. This list is as complete as I could make it; if you know of anyone who is not on the list, please let me know and I will add them. List of everyone from Louisiana who was killed in all wars.

WORLD WAR  I

Thomas E Doty

Robert N Gaynor

James H Roach

Clark Strayhan

Allie Bryant

Stephen Fullwood

Allen Gleason

Arthur Jackson

Gus Williams

Murphy Williams

WORLD WAR II

Willie B American

James O Avery

William Bedingfield

Guy A Buie

Gay Clark

Charles R Clemens

Thomas B Cole

Lamar Coleman

Harold J Courtney

Garland E Hickman

Campbell B Hodges

Woodrow W Holland

Louis A Johnson

Robert A Johnson

Grant King

Eugene E Lossett

Jake Maniscalco Jr

Horace J Miller

James V Palmer

Allen S Powell

Hines N Ritch

George F Rowe

Wilburn Sheppard

Roy T Strange

Stephen T Strayhan

John L Swilley

Harold M Valentine

Charles W Watson Jr

Kenneth Winham

KOREAN WAR

David Grisham

James Kelleher

C Steelman

VIETNAM WAR

Arthur Norman Welch

Dennis Bedelle Black

Alton Delaney Kellogg

Wallace Lee Ogea

Isaac David Faughn

Charles Reuben Miller Jr

Arnold John Rahm

Dolroy Francies

James Walter Myles

Herbert Walter

Milford Donovin Carter

IRAQ

Craig T Nelson

Bernard C Sembly

Julia V Atkins

Joshua C Burrows

AFGHANISTAN

Michael Garcia

Larry D Bunn

Republished from 2015

Memorial Day 2015

On Memorial Day, we honor those who have fallen in service to our country.  I have compiled a list of service men and women from Bossier Parish who have died in action, beginning with World War I. This list is as complete as I could make it; if you know of anyone who is not on the list, please let me know and I will add them. List of everyone from Louisiana who was killed in all wars.

WORLD WAR  I

Thomas E Doty

Robert N Gaynor

James H Roach

Clark Strayhan

Allie Bryant

Stephen Fullwood

Allen Gleason

Arthur Jackson

Gus Williams

Murphy Williams

WORLD WAR II

Willie B American

James O Avery

William Bedingfield

Guy A Buie

Gay Clark

Charles R Clemens

Thomas B Cole

Lamar Coleman

Harold J Courtney

Garland E Hickman

Campbell B Hodges

Woodrow W Holland

Louis A Johnson

Robert A Johnson

Grant King

Eugene E Lossett

Jake Maniscalco Jr

Horace J Miller

James V Palmer

Allen S Powell

Hines N Ritch

George F Rowe

Wilburn Sheppard

Roy T Strange

Stephen T Strayhan

John L Swilley

Harold M Valentine

Charles W Watson Jr

Kenneth Winham

KOREAN WAR

David Grisham

James Kelleher

C Steelman

VIETNAM WAR

Arthur Norman Welch

Dennis Bedelle Black

Alton Delaney Kellogg

Wallace Lee Ogea

Isaac David Faughn

Charles Reuben Miller Jr

Arnold John Rahm

Dolroy Francies

James Walter Myles

Herbert Walter

Milford Donovin Carter

IRAQ

Craig T Nelson

Bernard C Sembly

Julia V Atkins

Joshua C Burrows

AFGHANISTAN

Michael Garcia

Larry D Bunn

Memorial Day 2013

Monday is Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day. It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.
Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country. I think a lot of well meaning people simply misunderstand the purpose that was intended for this day, and if they are educated as to the geniune meaning of it, that they will observe it properly.
Memorial day is not to be confused for Veterans Day, which is the day on which we thank and honor all of those who served honorably in the military.
This is a day that we should observe solemnly, not just as the last day in a three-day weekend.
Brave men fought and died on our behalf, and their sacrifice demands that we give them the honor they are due.
On Memorial Day, all U.S. flags should be displayed at half-staff during the morning hours. At noon, they should be raised back to full-staff.

Traditionally, a red poppy is worn on Memorial Day, inspired by the poem In Flanders Field which was written by a Canadian Lt. Colonel, John McCrae after he presided over the burial of a fellow officer.
When I was in school, and even when I was a young man, we always had poppies to wear. The VFW sponsors the ‘buddy poppy’, artificial silk poppies which are made by disabled veterans. Unfortunately, this tradition is being lost, except among veterans groups. Watch for pictures and videos locally of veterans observances and you will see them.
The poem, from WWI, describes the red poppies that covered the battleground and afterward, the rows of graves.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

If you have never properly observed Memorial Day, do so this year. Remember Joshua Tomlinson and Wayne Culver, and all of the other brave men who have fallen on the battlefield.

(Reprinted from My Bossier, Memorial Day 2010)

Remembering

If you don't read anything else today, read this from Mostly Cajun, All American and Opinionated.

Memorial Day

Speak their names

On this Memorial Day remember Shreveport Natives Rob Reeves and Jonas Kelsall, both Navy Seals who were killed when their helicopter crashed in Afghanistan in August. Remember Staff Sgt. Michael Garcia of Bossier City, who was killed in Afghanistan last July. Remember Dakota Huse, Joshua Tomlinson and Wayne Culver.
A Facebook friend reposted something on Facebook written by the mother of a son who was killed just a few months ago. She posted a picture of her son's headstone and she wrote "As I prepare myself for Memorial Day, I can’t help but feel a mixture of emotions. I feel angry because so many people do not understand the true meaning of this day and sadness because I have come to fully understand and live the meaning of Memorial Day. My biggest fear is that Matthew will be forgotten so I ask all of you to please just say his name and think of him . ."
I wrote this a couple of years ago for Memorial Day:
Monday is Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day. It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.
Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country. I think a lot of well meaning people simply misunderstand the purpose that was intended for this day, and if they are educated as to the geniune meaning of it, that they will observe it properly.
Memorial day is not to be confused for Veterans Day, which is the day on which we thank and honor all of those who served honorably in the military.
This is a day that we should observe solemnly, not just as the last day in a three-day weekend.
Brave men fought and died on our behalf, and their sacrifice demands that we give them the honor they are due.
On Memorial Day, all U.S. flags should be displayed at half-staff during the morning hours. At noon, they should be raised back to full-staff.
Traditionally, a red poppy is worn on Memorial Day, inspired by the poem In Flanders Field which was written by a Canadian Lt. Colonel, John McCrae after he presided over the burial of a fellow officer.
When I was in school, and even when I was a young man, we always had poppies to wear. The VFW sponsors the ‘buddy poppy’, artificial silk poppies which are made by disabled veterans. Unfortunately, this tradition is being lost, except among veterans groups. Watch for pictures and videos locally of veterans observances and you will see them.
The poem, from WWI, describes the red poppies that covered the battleground and afterward, the rows of graves.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Memorial Day 2011

Monday is Memorial Day.  And So it Goes in Shreveport has a listing of some local events that are planned.
I am reprinting my Memorial Day post from last year.  If you have never properly observed Memorial Day, do so this year. Remember Dakota Huse and all of the other brave men who have fallen on the battlefield.

Monday is Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day. It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.
Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country. I think a lot of well meaning people simply misunderstand the purpose that was intended for this day, and if they are educated as to the geniune meaning of it, that they will observe it properly.
Memorial day is not to be confused for Veterans Day, which is the day on which we thank and honor all of those who served honorably in the military.
This is a day that we should observe solemnly, not just as the last day in a three-day weekend.
Brave men fought and died on our behalf, and their sacrifice demands that we give them the honor they are due.
On Memorial Day, all U.S. flags should be displayed at half-staff during the morning hours. At noon, they should be raised back to full-staff.
Traditionally, a red poppy is worn on Memorial Day, inspired by the poem In Flanders Field which was written by a Canadian Lt. Colonel, John McCrae after he presided over the burial of a fellow officer.
When I was in school, and even when I was a young man, we always had poppies to wear. The VFW sponsors the ‘buddy poppy’, artificial silk poppies which are made by disabled veterans. Unfortunately, this tradition is being lost, except among veterans groups. Watch for pictures and videos locally of veterans observances and you will see them.
The poem, from WWI, describes the red poppies that covered the battleground and afterward, the rows of graves.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Memorial Day 2010: God Bless America

An original performance in the 1930's by Kate Smith of a new Irving Berlin song.

The Meaning and Purpose of Memorial Day

Monday is Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day. It is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.
Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country. I think a lot of well meaning people simply misunderstand the purpose that was intended for this day, and if they are educated as to the geniune meaning of it, that they will observe it properly.
Memorial day is not to be confused for Veterans Day, which is the day on which we thank and honor all of those who served honorably in the military.
This is a day that we should observe solemnly, not just as the last day in a three-day weekend.
Brave men fought and died on our behalf, and their sacrifice demands that we give them the honor they are due.
On Memorial Day, all U.S. flags should be displayed at half-staff during the morning hours. At noon, they should be raised back to full-staff.

Traditionally, a red poppy is worn on Memorial Day, inspired by the poem In Flanders Field which was written by a Canadian Lt. Colonel, John McCrae after he presided over the burial of a fellow officer.
When I was in school, and even when I was a young man, we always had poppies to wear. The VFW sponsors the ‘buddy poppy’, artificial silk poppies which are made by disabled veterans. Unfortunately, this tradition is being lost, except among veterans groups. Watch for pictures and videos locally of veterans observances and you will see them.
The poem, from WWI, describes the red poppies that covered the battleground and afterward, the rows of graves.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

If you have never properly observed Memorial Day, do so this year. Remember Joshua Tomlinson and Wayne Culver, and all of the other brave men who have fallen on the battlefield.

What Memorial Day isn't about

This is what Memorial Day is not about.

It's not about Albertson's Memorial Day COOKOUT CELEBRATION!

Is there anything wrong about having a family cookout during the weekend or on Memorial Day? Of course not.

Is there anything wrong with Albertson's and other supermarkets using this day of remembrance to have a COOKOUT CELEBRATION!?

You betcha there is.

Over at CVS Pharmacy they have Memorial Day DEALS!

For pete's sake, there is even a http://www.memorialdaysales.net/ website.

And more, and more and more.

Memorial Day isn't even about remembering and honoring everyone you knew who has passed on.

Tomorrow we'll tell you what it's really about.