21 May 2008

HNT - Memorial Day

“It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”

~ Norman Schwarzkopf

*You know what to do if you want to see more*

Some of you may not know that I served 5 years in the U.S. Army - and yes - those are my original issue BDU's. It's been 13 years since I was active duty, yet not a day goes by where I do not think about those that served before me and those still serving.

During your picnics, barbecues and shopping, please take a moment to reflect on the reason we celebrate this holiday - to remember
and honor those who have given their lives in service to our country.

The National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed in Dec 2000 and asks that at 3 p.m. local time, all Americans "voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence ..." Please do!


HNTbutton

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

Without people like you we couldn't have the freedoms we do.
I'm by god going to buy a flag tomorrow!
HHNT

Jay said...

I'm also going to take a moment to reflect back on all your HNTs from time to time too. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wow for the photos...but I'm more awed by your post...very true! I'm with you...I always pray for those who are in military service.

HHNT!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for all you've done. And wow- sexy pictures!!

Evening said...

Thank you for your service Dana. I have the great respect for those who serve.
My son was in the Army.

HHNT

Ms. Inconspicuous said...

I love the sentiment behind your HNT. The pictures are lovely, but the reminder is even lovelier. Happy HNT and Happy Memorial Day.

Vixen said...

Beautiful tribute. Love the pic...

happyHNT

Ashly Star said...

Wonderful post! I have so much respect for my friends, family and every person in the military. Good for you. Lovely pictures too. Happy HNT!

Adam Apple said...

To many people take freedom for granted and forget that it comes at a price. A moment of remembrance is not too much to ask for those who paid the price.

Happy HNT

Anonymous said...

AMEN Sister! You know how I feel about our folks in uniform. I served with some fine people and I know a few today who still do the uniform proud. All our men and women, wherever they may be, are doing their part to keep us safe and free in the greatest country in the world. Thank you for your service, Dana, and thank you for your blog. I appreciate both.

Double bonus: I can see both the top pic and the click thru this time! (heh heh, I said "bonus")

FMD

Schmoop said...

Army trained or not, I want to initiate a full-frontal assault upon your body. Cheers Dana!!

Lu' said...

I was thinking there would be pudding or chocolate. The pic, very very nice. Seems like you camouflage days are behind you...

- said...

I LUV what U wrote & your pics here. I can't even begin 2 tell U how thankful I am 4 all my freedoms b/c of U & all those who serve(d) us. Happy (almost) Memorial Day 2 U too you BEAUTIFUL girl U. I love BOTH these pics. So much. (I'm a huge camo*luv'r girlie) So sexy, creative & so gorgeous U are! Soft yet brave and strong. Happy AMAZING HNT 2 U Dana *muah

Dana said...

Sage, just promise me you,ll display that flag properly!

Jay, feel free to reflect back on my HNT's as long as you'd like!

Mariposa, thank you! Our service members deserve and need it!

Dana said...

LushlyMe, wow is always nice to hear.

Badgirl, you are welcome! I felt an obligation to my country to give a bit more.

Evening, it was my pleasure to serve this country.

Dana said...

Ms. I, it's a very important holiday to me!

Vixen, thank you!

Amorous, they give a lot and some give it all. HHNT!

Dana said...

Adam, I couldn't have said it better!

FMD, thank *you* for your service! Glad the pics are coming through for you these days!

Matt-Man, do remember that I am a trained killer!

Dana said...

Lu, I'll get back to the pudding one of these days - I couldn't find an inflatable pool quickly enough *wink*

I Smile, not a day goes by that I am not thankful to all of those who have served!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful picture, Dana. I also love the meaning behind it. Shame on me for forgetting all about Memorial Day.

I want to know how you do that little trick where you click on the picture to see more. That is pretty cool. :)

buffalodick said...

I salute you, you half- nakked patriot!

Pure Temptation said...

First, thank you for serving our country and thank you for reminding some of us what Memorial day is about.

Around here the Indy 500 is the biggest thing talked about and its a shame that so many people forget about both our men and women who are serving this country and saving our freedom.

I saw the other day a shirt on someone that said "freedom is not free". It just made me stop and think.

Second: you look damn good in a uniform! I reeaallly love both pics.

HHNT

Christo Gonzales said...

If you salute does the whole thing fall off???

Ken said...

I do respect the men and women who serve, but not all those that lead.
I fly a flag every day, and if the boat is underway were flying it.

Happy HNT and MD

db said...

very nice tribute

MrRyanO said...

Well said, Dana!

Nice pic too!

Johanne said...

Nicely done!!
HHNT!

As American as Apple Pie said...

Very nice tribute. Classy, as usual.

As American as Apple Pie said...

I like the second one too! You need a belly button ring on there girl!

tt said...

Nice 'button' ya got there! ;)
Oorah!!!

Dana said...

FF, just remember the moment of silence at 3PM on Monday and you will be good in my book!

Buff, be careful how you salute *wink*

Naughty, I am very disturbed by what I see as a lack of patriotism (said generally) in this country - of course the definition of patriotism is different for each of us!

Dana said...

DB, it was coming off in the pic, even without saluting!

Micky, there are not many of you flag flyers out there! Thanks for being one of them!

Hank, thank you - HHNT!

Dana said...

RD, what? You actually read the article?? *wink*

SeaRabbit, thank you - HHNT!

Apple, I almost didn't go this direction out of respect for the uniform. And there will be no belly button ring on this belly. It was smoke and mirrors that made it look as good as it did in the pic!

Dana said...

tt, I'm still trying to figure out what happens when you push the button!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful picture, beautiful thoughts :)

Knight said...

Whoa! Nice click through! I'm going to go do it again.......
Yep still hot.
I really love the Schwarzkopf quote. I didn't know that there was a National Moment of Remembrance at 3pm. I will make sure to do that on Monday. Thanks Dana.

Leighann said...

I didn't know about the Moment of Rememberance either.

An informational post on top of your wonderful pics.... you've got it all woman!

Nicey said...

Massive respect and a big up for anyone who has served in the armed forces !

I have enjoyed reading your story, youve been very brave, and yeah Xanax I use all the time for my coke comedown, they are soooo easy to get addicted to.

Karen said...

I love that pic. You always have well done and tasteful photos.

Dana said...

Biscuit, thank you! HHNT!

Knight, according to Lu I should have been covered in chocolate pudding for this one - maybe next week ...

Leighann, what's really funny about the Moment of Remembrance is that it was instituted to bring forward the meaning of the holiday - guess it doesn't work well if no one knows about it!

Real Live Lesbian said...

Great pics! My Dad's a vet of Korea. We'll be celebrating and giving thanks to all ya'll this weekend.

HHNT and Happy Memorial Day!

Dana said...

Nicey, thank you!

Karen, tasteful is always good - it's easy to take HNT too far ...

RLL, I spent a year in Korea and was quite impressed by the respect the "older" Koreans showed US service members - it was clear they were grateful for what we did during the Korean war.

Dianne said...

Dana - a beautiful and poignant post. I'll go visit my VFW buddies as I do all the time. It amazes me how few people attend our town's parade or just stop at the VFW BBQ.

I adore them and respect them. They even listen to all my political rants and they have come to respect me because I put my actions where my mouth is.

I salute your HNT ;)

TK Kerouac said...

salute, a real trooper

TK Kerouac's HNT

Greg and Sheryl said...

We thank you for your service to our beloved country. Volunteering to serve in the armed forces is the most unselfish thing any American can do. Thank goodness there are people like you who are willing to do the job. Happy HNT!

Jahooni said...

i have missed you! Must go back and read about everything I have missed but I could NOT miss your HNT! Again another great shot!
I had no idea you served in the US Army. I salute you.

Helga Hansen said...

What a delicious tease you are!! And well done you, for serving your country! HHNT!

Richard, Shhh... said...

Yes, Ma'am, I'LL STROKE YOU -- I CAN FOLLOW ORDERS! I just wish there were women in my combat units when I was in AF gunships.

I think I saw a nurse's cadeuceus on that LOVELY BDU top -- u guys probably get the best AND the worst of duties, eh? Loved seeing you in the Pleiku O'Club but I didn't wanna HAVE to see you on a mission night! Or was it Grenada/Barbados or Panama or ... -classified location- Tell u what: Ur body is so beautiful, hard to believe ur over 40! Now, get out of those utilities and come gimme a hug! MUAH! ;-)

Oh yeah, HHNT & HMD! OXOXOXOX

Mike said...

A very HHNT to you and what a lovely thought too.

Dana said...

Dianne, most people don't even know what VFW stands for, let alone where their local one might be! They are usually filled with great people and great food!
TK, no need to salute - I was a "real" soldier, not an officer (I better be careful or Nick will track me down for that!)

G & S, it was my pleasure ... really!

Dana said...

Jahooni, I'm all out of Thin Mints and you still came back?? You've been missed!

Helga, teasing is always more fun!

Mike, HHNT!

Mike said...

Dana, sorry for the short 1st post, but i had only just got and was quicky rushing though all the new HNT post ;)
We don`t have a Memorial day as such, the main way we remember all those that served is on the 11Th November. But there now is a growning call and support to have a "Armed forces days" here, where we can show our support to all that that are serving now. Lets hope this bloody gov`t of ours dose something about it sooner rather than later.

Oh by the looks of it your BDU's. seem to still fit you very well indeed ;)

Luka said...

I really like this. The picture is a wonderful contrast of vulnerability and military and the sentiments are spot on.

boo said...

Wow, Dana! This is great. I love your message. Happy HNT!

MarcelloNYC said...

Now that is Patriotic, Sexy and HOT!

HHNT!

Dana said...

Mike, we actually just celebrated armed forces day here this past Saturday, although I'm guessing most folks here in the U.S. don't even know it exhists! I was quite surprised to find my BDU's were actually a little bigger on me than they were in the military.

Luka, I couldn't have hoped for a better interpretation of my HNT than yours!

Boo, thank you!

Dana said...

Marcellonyc, thank you! That's what I was hoping for!

BTExpress said...

Thank you for your service. This holiday is special to me too. I just wish that when I was in it meant more to the rest of the country.

I still have my fatigues. I'm certain they don't fit as well as yours, but I'll see if I can at least get a leg or arm in for next weeks HNT. Happy HNT and BTW, you look great! Love the click through.

Unknown said...

Well said, dear Dana, very well said!

Vixen said...

Hey you, I snagged your photo for my Memorial Day Friday Favorites. There is a note at the very end, regarding another site I run. I'd love for you to participate if you are interested. Take a look and let me know. :)

xo

FlyBoy said...

Thank You for your service. HHNT!!! (a little late)

Dana said...

BT, thank you for your service. I was lucky - I served during Desert Storm - and the country "liked" that war.

Nick, thank you!

Vixen, I am flattered! And yes, I'll be participating in TFT, likely in the same BDU's.