Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day 2011... They Stand on the Wall... For US

It was snowing when we went to bed Sunday night. It had snowed and rained almost all day... and though the ground was soggy wet, it was green... at least where the ATV'ers hadn't torn it apart...

*no cajones... ATV'ers headin' for town... Bye!*
Just before supper, those folks started pullin' out in the rain... and though I may be bad... I giggled at the half hour procession, as they retreated to town... What can I say...

There's an old 'western' term... "He's got sand."... Means, a person has what it takes... and those folks... got no sand... and no sense... I won't miss 'em...

They left behind a sad mess...

But... Life goes on, and for each storm, there is a sunrise...

*Sunrise... Memorial Day 2011*
We woke to 6 or 8 inches of white... For a Special Day... a rather exceptional first sight, don't you think?

*The Memorial Day 2011 View from my window*
Sat watching the sun come up, drinking my coffee in the comfort of my rig... thinking...


I took a broom and climbed up the ladder to the roof... to clear the snow off the solar panels...

*Memorial Day Camp 2011*

The air is crisp and clean... the silence of the mountains returned now that our camp has had it's solitude returned...

My thoughts turned to my friend Eric... in Afghanistan... and Evin, on her way to Spain... soldiers both. They've got Sand.

I think of those who Stand on the Wall this Memorial Day... Who stand on that wall guarding... US... You and I... I think of those who have "Written a blank Check"... payable to the people of United States of America... for any amount, up to and including their lives...

I think of all those Checks over the past many years, that the people of this Nation have cashed... and I wonder... Does anyone think of them? Is the Cost of those "Checks" understood? Does anyone, appreciate what they, living and dead, have sacrificed? So that we can BBQ and party... in the Peace we enjoy... as the Direct Consequence... of the suffering and sacrifice of those... who Stand on the Wall... for... Us?

As always... on this day... My Heart is Heavy. There are so many... and I miss them so much...

Please... on this day... Enjoy your Families... Enjoy your Freedom... But... Understand... Just what a Precious Cost it bears. Just what they endured to give us the gift in which we live.



High in the Mountains... and Far in the Past
Brian

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brian - Again, another fine post and striking pix. Thank you. And, thank you for your service "Standing on the Wall."
Steven fm Monument, USN RET '72-95

Gaelyn said...

A fine reminder of those who have stood on the wall to protect the rest of us. Way more sand than those destructive ATVers. Enjoy the snow, none of our last night's fall stuck.

Anonymous said...

For my brother; I am always grateful for the "Thank You for Your Service" voices directed at your brother-in-law (you know who I mean :), but I rarely tell you, of all people, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. I am proud of you and the service you gave, and am honored to be your big sis. s ;)

1 More Mile! said...

What's with the desire to remove the liberties of the ATV'ers? Are they not American? Is this not their land too?

Where they truly damaging the roads or is this just your judgment?

Their ability to access public lands is right next to your desire. Side with the opposition and you won't be boondocking either. Anti-access people most definitely do not like your lifestyle Brian. Not at all!

Wanna help on land access instead of just being a divisive malcontent? If so, then spread the word about "http://www.staythetrail.org/" the best public land access theme in the nation.

Let see if this post makes the cut!

Sharlotte said...

Gee whiz One Mile Grow up.

Brian said...

one more mile: I am not anti access... or... anti ATVer. I am strongly anti stupidity.

The actions of my recent "Neighbors" are an example of the reason we are ALL losing access.

Were they truly doing damage or is it only my opinion? Stay tuned... Post with Photo evidence supporting my arguments will follow.

Blindly defending either ATVers or RVers who negligently do heavy damage, Injures us all.

If you read Gaelyns comment you will find a qualifying adjective. Responsible ATVers have Never been a problem.

Don said...

There are a lot of us who gave some; a smaller number who gave more, and a still smaller who gave all - but we've all given. The assholes who don't understand what if going on here just ought to go check it out in another country. Believe me, there aren't many countries like this one! Guess that's the reason I'm so happy to be a resident of the U. S. of A. and a veteran of the U. S. Army.

1 More Mile! said...

Sorry Brian,

Gaelyn's words are "party line - anti-access". I have heard it a thousand times from a sect and mindset of what was once a noble movement that has now gone rogue and, it is abhorrent and flat out evil!

Did you check out "Stay The Trail"? That signifies my exact ideals. Certainly there are less informed and selfish ATV'ers yet, they do not have any draconian intent to remove liberties because "they know better" as self proclaimed uber-hall monitors of the environment.

I was a BLM RAC member for a good number of years where public land access to vehicles was my assigned area. With that, I have a fair eye for what is irrevocable damage, remediable damage or no damage at all. I await your photos.

Brian said...

I have not had the time yet to check that website... my signal is poor and took me a couple hours to just build todays post...

I... and I am sure, Gaelyn are NOT anti-access... we ARE both, I feel confident... ANTI 'Irresponsible' Behavior... from whatever its source...