“Remembering our fallen heroes, their family and friends, who bear the burdens of of great sorrow and pain.”
I discovered some of the videos in this series while I was researching for a “Memorial Day” video to share, so this is why the Memorial Day theme is prominent in some of them.
Our original title for the series was “Memorial Day … Every Day.”
Our fifth video in the series features more images, some of them featured before, and some seen for the first time here. In either case, the images are to continue to remind us all that …
Just think of all the freedoms we enjoy … every day … We should pause … every day … to think about … to remember … to appreciate … to honor … to pay our deepest respect and gratitude … To carefully consider …
What this freedom cost.
We begin a new video series entitled “The Price for Freedom.”
We will feature videos from a variety of sources, and will attempt to give every credit for their source.
Our first video features a Memorial Day speech from President Ronald Reagan, supplying our banner for the series:
“The price for this freedom has been high … but we have never been unwilling to pay that price.”
Included in the speech was an emotional reading of “The Pledge,” sometimes called “The Warriors Pledge” or “The Soldiers Pledge,” which was discovered in the diary of fallen soldier Martin A. Treptow.
Here is the exact text, written on the flyleaf of the young soldier’s diary:
My Pledge America must win this war Therefore I will work I will save I will sacrifice I will endure I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost as if the issue of the whole struggle depended on me alone.
“We must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women … It is a weapon that we as Americans do have … Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism, and prey upon their neighbors … They will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it … sacrifice for it … We will not surrender for it … Now or ever … We are Americans” President Ronald Reagan
Built by Acuity Insurance Company, it is located at 2800 South Taylor Drive in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the home of Acuity.
The flagpole is one of the most visible landmarks on the Interstate 43 corridor, and the flag serves as a symbol of gratitude to our country and those who defend it.
At the base of the pole is a Veterans Memorial, which features the names of every Sheboygan County veteran killed in the line of duty.
The Flagpole stands 400 feet tall, which is nearly 100 feet taller than The Statue of Liberty. This is the tallest Flagpole in the world flying a U.S. flag. The Flagpole weighs approximately 420,000 pounds. The Flagpole is designed to withstand a low temperature of -42o F and wind speeds of 120mph. Three pendulum-style tuned mass dampers reduce movement and vibration. The pole has an 11-foot diameter at base, and tapers to a 5 1/2-foot diameter at the top. 680 cubic yards of concrete were used in its foundation. Over 500 gallons of paint cover the pole.
About the Flag: The 70 by 140-foot flag is the world’s largest free-flying American flag. Each stripe is over 5 feet high. Each star is nearly 3 feet across. The flag covers 9,800 square feet, and weighs 340 pounds.
A couple of notes regarding the building of this Flagpole: This was the company’s fourth attempt to build the country’s tallest flagpole. The first was built in 2003, and was 150 feet tall. It was then expanded to 200 feet, but toppled in a winter storm. The next pole was 300 feet, and it was replaced by a 338-foot pole. In April of 2008, that Flagpole was seen swaying in the wind. Six years later, in 2014, the 400-foot pole was built to last, and was officially dedicated on June 16, 2014.
Here’s a video look at the building of the Flagpole, and the reasons for it. As you will hear, it stands not just as a symbol of freedom, but of hope and inspiration. As one Veteran stated, and this is so true of any U.S. Flag we are privileged to see flying, “There’s nothing like the sight of that American Flag flying in the wind … it really means a lot …”
THE ORIGIN OF MEMORIAL DAY FROM THE HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868
The 30th day of May 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. If our eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us. Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time. By order of JOHN A. LOGAN, Commander-in-Chief
As I stand on the front porch, rehearsing the Gettysburg Address (for events planned this Summer), I hear the 21-Gun Salute from the Memorial Service, taking place on “Memorial Bridge,” spanning the river down the street. I think, again, of President Lincoln’s words, “we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain …” That was November 19, 1863. A year earlier, 1862, “Taps” was “born.” We’re going to share with you’re a video featuring the narration of John Wayne, and then a series of unforgettable images. Images that we cannot watch and not be changed. To be reminded of those who “gave their lives that that nation might live.”
Under the video, for those of you who have never seen the actual words to “Taps,” are the words.
For today, and every day, “It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.”
TAPS Day is done. Gone the sun. From the lakes From the hills. From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh. Fading light. Dims the sight. And a star. Gems the sky. Gleaming bright. From afar. Drawing nigh. Falls the night. Thanks and praise. For our days. Neath the sun Neath the stars. Neath the sky. As we go. This we know. God is nigh
Hi All:
For Memorial Day, I’d like to share these pictures with you …
They have been sent to me, personally, over the past few months, and except for the last picture (soldiers praying), I have not shared them …
I have personal names for each of the pictures, such as “soldiermom,” “sonreceivingflag,” etc., and I’d like you to see them. Just like every day, to Christians, should be Christmas and Easter combined, how about Memorial Day … it is every day that we reap the benefits of their sacrifice, and love for us … and their fellow man …
Please, see the pictures for what they represent, to all of us …
There are no captions, no quotes, no comments … Look at the pictures … There just aren’t any words I can add …
To all of our friends, all over the world … the same God watches over us all … and Jesus is still Lord of all …
Blessings, Ted and Carol
pastorappreciationblog.com 