Memorial Day 2011.
LZ Peace Memorial at Midway Village Museum, Rockford.

Joe Hoffman and Richard Hoffman, USMC. LZ Peace Memorial, Midway Village

Hundreds of people showed up in the stifling heat to honor veterans who have given their lives for our country. Here’s two local Vietnam veterans. I think they’re both Auburn graduates. Anybody recognize them? Post a comment. Thanks.

It’s Flag Day.

I got my up, did you?

I hope my POW flag will be flying before the end of the day.

Roger Burt, this one’s for you.

The long-time project of the Vietnam Veterans Honor Society, the LZ Peace Memorial, shown below, is located at Midway Village in Rockford, Illinois. A Wall of Honor with a genuine, flown-in Vietnam, Huey helicopter suspended above the wall – the LZ Peace Memorial is a lasting tribute to those who died in Vietnam, and a place to honor all veterans who served our country.

My friend Nick Parnello, one of the founders of “Vietnow” and the “Vietnam Veterans Honor Society” is shown below at Kegel’s Harley this past Saturday wearing his LZ Peace Memorial t-shirt he created in 1990.

Flag Etiquette

My wife and I do honor the flag and what it stands for. When the National Anthem is played, even in the privacy of our home, we stand and honor it. --Roger Burt

The military salute is rendered by men and women in uniform (and may also include boys and girls in the uniform of Scouts, CAPS, ROTC, and others).  Those not in uniform salute the flag by standing at attention, tall and straight with the left arm at the side, and placing the right hand over the heart.  Men who are wearing a hat should remove the hat with their right hand and hold it over their shoulder.  The right HAND, not the hat, should rest over the heart.

God Bless America and Steve Holcomb, Dave Kerno, Sandy Harris, Tom Zander, Steve Lee, Roger Burt, Wallis Patterson, Skip Coad, Richard Hoffman, my brother, Sue Curry, Jim Stroup, Rita, Rod Schwandt, Gean Moore, David Hurd, Bonnie, Joe, Steven, Nick and all our classmates, veterans or not. Hi Jerry Strand.

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I’d worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
With just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars,
To be living here today.
Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
And they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American,
Where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there aint no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
To the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
And New York to L.A.
Well there’s pride in every American heart,
And it’s time we stand and say.
That I’m proud to be an American,
Where at least I know Im free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there aint no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
And I’m proud to be and American,
Where at least I know Im free.
And I won’t forget the men who died,
Who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
Next to you and defend her still today.
Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA