Ace of Spades HQ

May 28, 2012

The Rainbow Division Memorial
— Dave in Texas

This memorial stands in a farm in Croix Rouge, France, in honor of the sacrifice of the soldiers of the 42nd Infantry Division's 167th Alabama and 168th Iowa Regiments, of WWI. The 42nd was nicknamed "Rainbow" by then Col. Douglas MacArthur, who described the 26 National Guard units within the division as "stretching across America like a rainbow."

The 42nd Infantry Division is a New York National Guard unit today, and served in Iraq.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at 05:56 AM | Comments (92)
Post contains 82 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Whoa! Thread overload! TILT!

Posted by: Tami at May 28, 2012 06:00 AM (X6akg)

2 I posted this on the previous Memorial Day thread, only to see that this new one had sprung up, so I want to put it here as well, because it is important to me to pay tribute this morning to a fine young soldier of my aquaintance:

------------

The younger brother of our pastor, a young Marine named Ricky Nelson, was killed at the age of 23 in the Battle of Fallujah when the Humvee he was riding in was hit by explosives. He was one week shy of his first wedding anniversary to his high school sweetheart.

http://bit.ly/d91KIJ

Two other Marines were riding in the vehicle with him at the time of the attack, one was also killed, the other survived. The survivor told Rick's family that just prior to the explosion, Rick was singing "Amazing Grace", and had just gotten to the verse that says:

"When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun."

We like to think that Ricky finished that last verse at the foot of the throne of God.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had been doing a continuing ongoing feature on Rick's deployment from the viewpoint of his young wife since the start of his deployment. They were left to cover the sad account of his death as well as his funeral. People in our town lined up for approximately 4 miles for his entourage.

Ricky's story was also featured in the movie narrated by Fred Thompson, "Perfect Valor".

http://perfectvalor.com/

Posted by: mama winger at May 28, 2012 06:03 AM (P6QsQ)

3 Mark Levin always plays tribute to all branches of our armed forces, and to America during many of these holidays, especially Memorial Day. If you want to hear the song/music for each branch of the military - which always pulls at my heartstrings, go here: http://tinyurl.com/m5psaq And cue to about the 76 minute mark for the 5/25 show. It really is special.

Posted by: God Bless Our Men & Women in Uniform at May 28, 2012 06:04 AM (HOOye)

4 Heh. Andrew workin overtime.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at May 28, 2012 06:07 AM (PjVdx)

5 Just wished my Dad well, WWII vet...the "Greatest Generation". Thanks Dad, and every member of our armed services who put themselves in harms way to insure our freedom.

Posted by: NukeBoy at May 28, 2012 06:16 AM (uaiBt)

6 I'm pretty sure some of the 42nd have served in Afghanistan as well, I remember seeing some of thier unit patches around here.

Posted by: hobbes at May 28, 2012 06:22 AM (+CcmI)

7 So, one of the Military Morons should head over to my place and look at today's post. First, to tell me where I'm wrong so I can fix it. Second, to see if you can ID the unit patch on my wife's grampa's dress uniform.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channeling Breitbart at May 28, 2012 06:25 AM (nUH8H)

8 RIP to all the fallen heroes and bless their families. I'm off to a service.

Posted by: the new, improved arhooley -- now with 10% more cynicism! at May 28, 2012 06:27 AM (ES5jc)

9 @ 6

Good morning, Hobbes. How you holding up?

Posted by: irongrampa at May 28, 2012 06:28 AM (SAMxH)

10 Hey hobbes - they gonna let you have a cold beer this Memorial Day?

Why am I even asking - of course they're not.

Posted by: mama winger at May 28, 2012 06:34 AM (P6QsQ)

11 Hey Irongramps and Mama, I'm doing good. No beer for me today of course, but I'm at the end of my contract and will be home very soon. So I'll be having one soon

Posted by: hobbes at May 28, 2012 06:38 AM (+CcmI)

12 I'm at the end of my contract and will be home very soon. So I'll be having one soon.

------

Awesome news! I hope your family is stockpiling some serious amounts of celebratory beverages.

Posted by: mama winger at May 28, 2012 06:40 AM (P6QsQ)

13 Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) Channeling Breitbart at May 28, 2012 10:25 AM (nUH8H)

Linky no workee

Posted by: Vic at May 28, 2012 06:43 AM (YdQQY)

14 Respect. Remembrance. And a call coming up to Dad, WWII veteran from Patton's Ghost Troops.

Posted by: Meremortal at May 28, 2012 06:43 AM (Usk3+)

15 Chris Hays is probably uncomfortable today. If he's seen my email to him he's hopefully a little more uncomfortable.

Posted by: Meremortal at May 28, 2012 06:45 AM (Usk3+)

16 Hey hobbes, great to read you any day but particularly today.

Posted by: Captain Hate at May 28, 2012 06:45 AM (7Ph7Z)

17 You know the national guard used to be a joke to people but they should take the guard seriously. Those are real soldiers doing real work, and they're good at their job. They keep us safe, and they're a lot closer to the original concept of the military for the US that the founding fathers had in mind. I'm not saying that's how our military ought to be but its a connection to long ago that still is with us today.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at May 28, 2012 06:47 AM (r4wIV)

Levi's just sent me an email headlined "Happy Memorial Day!"

Sigh...

Posted by: Meremortal at May 28, 2012 06:47 AM (Usk3+)

19 They keep us safe, and they're a lot closer to the original concept of the military for the US that the founding fathers had in mind.

Yes, hey have cut back on the active duty military so much now that they are having to pull more and more NG troops.

What we need to do is bring ALL of our troops home. Obama has no intention of winning any war and has no goal at all.

Posted by: Vic at May 28, 2012 06:51 AM (YdQQY)

20 Well, since they won't let you have one. please allow me the distinct privilege of hoisting a few in your honor.

Safe home, trooper.

Posted by: irongrampa at May 28, 2012 06:58 AM (SAMxH)

21 I never buy Levi's. They are democrats and they refused to support the Boy Scouts. Wear Wranglers.

Earnhardt did.

Posted by: Billy Bob, the guy who drinks in SC at May 28, 2012 07:01 AM (Cydud)

Here is the view location of the monument for Google Earth.

49Â°07'55.09" N 3Â°31'16.69" E

Posted by: And Irresolute at May 28, 2012 07:03 AM (RC3M9)

I urge everyone to send an email to Chris Hays about his uncomfortable feelings regarding fallen military personnel.

The email addy is readily available at the msnbc site.

christopherlhays at that email service that starts with the letter after f in the alphabet.

If that's bad please delete and I apologize. To ace, not Hays.

Posted by: Meremortal at May 28, 2012 07:03 AM (Usk3+)

24 What a great day to choom your ass off. Why, I'd even mooch a joint off an American today.

Posted by: President Spicoli at May 28, 2012 07:04 AM (FcR7P)

Posted by: Billy Bob, the guy who drinks in SC at May 28, 2012 11:01 AM (Cydud)

Chris Hays wears Dickies.

Posted by: Meremortal at May 28, 2012 07:05 AM (Usk3+)

26 Thanks Mama Winger and Capt. Hate. IronGrampa I would be honored, but I'm not a trooper anymore, just a contractor. I have however, been passing around the moron hordes well wishes to all my military buddies.

Posted by: hobbes at May 28, 2012 07:05 AM (+CcmI)

27 My little cow patty town just had their Mem. Day Parade. It consists of the Color Guard, Boy Scouts, school band and kids on decorated bikes.

The entire town was there.

During the National Anthem my 6 year asked really loudly why no one was singing ('Just because there aren't words to this version, people should still sing mom!' He, and my 4 year old daughter, started singing and little by little the people around joined in.

Damn. I am a proud momma.

They get it. They really GET it.

Posted by: momma at May 28, 2012 07:14 AM (oKsWl)

28 I never buy Levi's. They are democrats and they refused to support the Boy Scouts. Wear Wranglers.

Posted by: Billy Bob, the guy who drinks in SC at May 28, 2012 11:01 AM (Cydud)

Good to hear. I always buy Wranglers because they fit me better anyway.

Posted by: Captain Hate at May 28, 2012 07:15 AM (7Ph7Z)

29 Local news is reporting 23 year old Lance Cpl. Steven Sutton of Leesburg, Ga. was killed in Afghanistan, he was deployed in January. He leaves behind a wife and daughter. This sux. Just nuke the fucks and be done with it.

Posted by: wierd flunky at May 28, 2012 07:18 AM (tlhtD)

30 Damn. I am a proud momma. Your kids are awesome! I hope they're our future. My niece and nephews are also in small-town parades today with their Scout troops.

Posted by: t-bird at May 28, 2012 07:19 AM (FcR7P)

31 #7, AllenG, patch ID made and posted. Currently 9th Signal Command, when he was in it was probably still the 972nd Signal Battalion.

Posted by: SGT Dan at May 28, 2012 07:20 AM (CrO2/)

32
I'll be damned if A-stan isn't smelling like Vietnam redux.

And Congress will let it happen.

Posted by: irongrampa at May 28, 2012 07:26 AM (SAMxH)

33 My son is deploying next week to S Korea. I pray every day for a new CIC.

Posted by: small town girl at May 28, 2012 07:28 AM (0XH/s)

Posted by: Meremortal at May 28, 2012 11:03 AM (Usk3+)

Good idea. I'll be sure and include why guys like my step-mother's proud Marine brother, who had his foot blown off in Viet Nam while carrying on his back another Marine who just had his face blown off by an enemy mine, enable this little suck-weasle his first amendment right to full blown duchebaggery.

Posted by: Joanne at May 28, 2012 07:29 AM (GCsZz)

35 Thanks to the living citizen soldiers. Hope to see you home safe and sound.

Posted by: 13times at May 28, 2012 07:35 AM (h6XiD)

36 And Congress will let it happen.

Posted by: irongrampa at May 28, 2012 11:26 AM (SAMxH)

What is more depressing is that it is the Congress "we" elected as a nation and we keep re-electing them even though their duplicity is on public display (and I shudder to think about the deals they are cutting that we don't know about).

One difference is that unlike Tet, this will be declared a success for smart diplomacy and a military triumph for the masterful Overlord Obama!

Posted by: Hrothgar at May 28, 2012 07:50 AM (i3+c5)

37 Photos: Our NationÂ’s War Memorials

http://tinyurl.com/cm8lhpd

Posted by: momma at May 28, 2012 07:55 AM (oKsWl)

Fuck all of you!!

I hate amerikka.

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at May 28, 2012 08:03 AM (KncIw)

39 Levi's just sent me an email headlined "Happy Memorial Day!"
Sigh...

I just got one from CarPartsWholesale with the same message. Responding now so that they will know my displeasure with their marketing opportunism.

Thank you to the families of our service men and women who lost their lives defending all of us. God rest their brave souls.

Posted by: NC Ref at May 28, 2012 08:03 AM (/izg2)

40 Good read on the battle at the Croix Rouge Farm -

http://croixrougefarm.org/history-battle/

Posted by: dissent555 at May 28, 2012 08:04 AM (yR6A1)

41 Re: my #22, I have been up and down that road, using Street View, and where that walled compound "used" to be there is just an overgrown brush area with a broken down fence. Going in either direction to the next intersection, there are no markers or signs pointing to the location. Just strange, but not surprising. There is also a major change to that area from the 2005 view and the 2011 view.

Posted by: And Irresolute at May 28, 2012 08:05 AM (RC3M9)

July 26, 1918

Â…the 167th Alabama assisted by the left flank of the 168th Iowa had stormed and captured the Croix Rouge Farm in a manner which for its gallantry I do not believe has been surpassed in military history. It was one of the few occasions on which the bayonet was decisively used.

Douglas MacArthur

Posted by: dissent555 at May 28, 2012 08:06 AM (yR6A1)

43 To my grandfather, wwII Air Force, who was a POW for four years in a Japanese Camp. He did come home to live a long life. But he never would eat rice after that. Prayers are with all the other troops who Don't make it home and their families.

Posted by: Elizabethe from elsewhere at May 28, 2012 08:08 AM (nHtaS)

44 Under the wide and starry sky Dig the grave and let me lie. Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will. This be the verse you grave for me; Here he lies where he longed to be, Home is the sailor, home from sea, And the hunter home from the hill.

R.L. Stevenson

Posted by: huerfano at May 28, 2012 08:15 AM (bAGA/)

45 As Memorial Day Nears, a Single Image That Continues to Haunt

http://tinyurl.com/Marines-Made-Bed

Posted by: Rewrite! at May 28, 2012 08:23 AM (d7Px0)

46 WAR * IS * HELL

Posted by: Rewrite! at May 28, 2012 08:23 AM (d7Px0)

47 If this is La Petite SCoaMF on Memorial Day (that is, too baked to appear in public), I can't imagine what he has in store for Independence Day. Wearing a US flag as a sarong?

Posted by: t-bird at May 28, 2012 08:26 AM (FcR7P)

48 This is the second year in a row I've had to work on Memorial Day because I now live in Canada. It's actually very very uncomfortable, and I think that from now on, I'll be putting in requests at the beginning of the year to take all American holidays as vacation days, especially Memorial Day.

I should be spending my time in remembrance, not sitting here. Yes, Canada has its own version, but that's not in remembrance of Americans, damn it.

Posted by: grognard, SMOD-Squad at May 28, 2012 08:27 AM (NS2Mo)

49 Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground IÂ’ll not be afraid

Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears

Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me

Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a Germans gun

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Where before many more have gone

Posted by: LazRtx at May 28, 2012 08:28 AM (bK81x)

50 http://tinyurl.com/Marines-Made-Bed

Posted by: Rewrite! at May 28, 2012 12:23 PM (d7Px0)

Saw this yesterday and it will haunt me for a long time. The allergies were really bad.

May God Bless those who serve and return and may God Bless those who wait for the reunion with their loved ones in Heaven.

Posted by: Hrothgar at May 28, 2012 08:29 AM (i3+c5)

51 I don't care for that picture of the girl very much. Her back is to the coffin, looking at a computer? Uh...

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at May 28, 2012 08:34 AM (r4wIV)

52 http://compuball.com/av/audio1/SgtMacKenzie.mp3

Posted by: LazRtx at May 28, 2012 08:37 AM (bK81x)

53 @51 you clearly don't get it. And the article says she is listening to music that reminds her of her husband. She's obviously sleeping there, lying for one last time next to her husband, you think she should stare at the coffin all night long? Or think more about posing for a picture than her own feeling of loss?

Posted by: NC Ref at May 28, 2012 08:41 AM (/izg2)

54
Grill is hot--now the fun begins.

Enjoy, people--and pause for a moment during the festivities and thank those who made this nation possible.

Posted by: irongrampa at May 28, 2012 08:45 AM (SAMxH)

55 Just don't read the comments that go along with the Marines Made Bed article. White hot fury.

Posted by: grognard, SMOD-Squad at May 28, 2012 08:46 AM (NS2Mo)

56 christopher from the article: I believe this photo has had such a long viral life not just because it is so honest but also because it is so modern. During a spouseÂ’s deployment, your laptop is your battle buddy. Your sense of connection and emotional well-being is sustained via e-mail, Facebook, Skype and Instagram. It appears, per Lieutenant CatheyÂ’s widow, that the same is true even in a time of loss. This heartbreaking Â— and groundbreaking Â— photo showcases the intersection of technology and agony.

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 28, 2012 08:47 AM (Ho2rs)

57 ncref sometimes people get caught up in their own opinions can't see beyond their own nose.......

Posted by: phoenixgirl at May 28, 2012 08:49 AM (Ho2rs)

58 I just got back from my local Memorial Day service, and every year they sing O Canada right before ours.

Posted by: Soap MacTavish at May 28, 2012 12:48 PM (vbh31)

Where are you, generally speaking?

Posted by: grognard, SMOD-Squad at May 28, 2012 08:50 AM (NS2Mo)

59 I'm somewhere in the northern half of the beleaguered state of Ohio.

Posted by: Soap MacTavish at May 28, 2012 12:52 PM (vbh31)

Wow, I'm impressed. That's awfully inclusive of your community. I'm sad to say you'd never see the favor returned on Remembrance Day here in Canada.

Posted by: grognard, SMOD-Squad at May 28, 2012 08:54 AM (NS2Mo)

60 Thank you AOSHQ for never backing down. Let us remember those who allow us to reflect on liberty from the perch we enjoy. I just listened to Reagan's spoech he gave im Normandy at the 40th anniversary of our liberating the continent of Europe. God and his providence an our reverence to Him were everywhere in President Reagan's speech. We were commissioned one nation under God and that is something Reagan always understood this side of the veil.

Posted by: Jornolist at May 28, 2012 08:55 AM (50c0S)

61 My daughter marched with her high school band today. They did not play The Star Spangled Banner until they got to our Veteran's Memorial Park, however.

Posted by: Barb the Evil Genius at May 28, 2012 08:57 AM (VENdg)

62 What's the difference between Ron Paul and Benjamin Netanyahu?

http://is.gd/1jtEM3

Posted by: datsnotamore at May 28, 2012 08:59 AM (8PnZI)

63 Soap, the vast majority, vast, are totally untouched by any loss. The numbers just don't hit enough people personally to make it more than a lip service kind of thing, I believe.

Posted by: And Irresolute at May 28, 2012 09:03 AM (RC3M9)

64 Rachel Maddow's little sister Chrissy Hayes said on the show yesterday that she doesn't know anyone in the military.

How is that even possible?

Posted by: Albie Damned at May 28, 2012 09:03 AM (Yhu4q)

65 NCAA DIV 1 LACROSSE FINALS STARTING NOW Loyola vs Maryland should be great. Check it out! Grill to be fired up later for steaks. Give a thought to those who gave all for this country.

Posted by: naturalfake at May 28, 2012 09:04 AM (G9qZk)

66 Oh, and being Soap was fun, but BF3 has stolen my heart! :-)

Posted by: And Irresolute at May 28, 2012 09:04 AM (RC3M9)

67 Oops. Lacrosse finals on ESPN.

Posted by: naturalfake at May 28, 2012 09:05 AM (G9qZk)

68 Our Memorial Day service also got a flyover by a very large prop plane.

Posted by: Barb the Evil Genius at May 28, 2012 09:06 AM (VENdg)

69 I always go back to when we buried my grandpa. I didn't think I was going to, but I lost it. The presentation of the flag to my grandma, the salute, Taps, all of it.

I just can't imagine a frame of mind where that's not emotionally moving. Sadly, I don't think most of America is really Americans anymore, citizenship notwithstanding.

Posted by: grognard, SMOD-Squad at May 28, 2012 09:11 AM (NS2Mo)

70 Just been sitting around the house this am thinking about a couple of guys I grew up with that never made it back from Vietnam. There were others too. For a small town of 3000, we had seven (eight?) people die in that war.

Posted by: Soona at May 28, 2012 09:12 AM (4Ofz/)

71 Bill Nelson speaking at the event at Jacksonville National Cemetery.

I hope he never has the opportunity to do another.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at May 28, 2012 09:26 AM (piMMO)

72 Tom Selleck is honoring the fallen at the Viet Nam Memorial right now.

I wish he'd finish with saying that Alec Balwin and Matt Damon are total F.A.G.s

Posted by: Albie Damned at May 28, 2012 09:30 AM (Yhu4q)

73 "On this Memorial Day, as our nation honors its unbroken line of fallen heroes -- and I see many of them in the audience here today -- our sense of patriotism is particularly strong."

The Preezy of the United Steezy

Posted by: The Preezy of the United Steezy at May 28, 2012 09:34 AM (Yhu4q)

74 Apart from the "here today" gaffe, what kind of phrasing is "sense of patriotism?" Why not just say, "our patriotism is particularly strong"

Answer: because it isn't, but the "sense" that is is strong in others is definitely present.

Posted by: grognard, SMOD-Squad at May 28, 2012 09:36 AM (NS2Mo)

75 Before I could turn the SOB off I heard obama praise Panetta for his service to the Country, but said not such thing to Gen Dempsey? I thought that odd. I guess I should not have been surprised ha?

Posted by: Nevergiveup at May 28, 2012 09:42 AM (05RcU)

76 WTH is Ken Salazar wearing a cowboy hat WHILE paying tribute?!!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at May 28, 2012 09:42 AM (piMMO)

77 That Tom Selleck. Always on the right side of America.

Posted by: Beto at May 28, 2012 09:43 AM (lpWVn)

78 C'mon, guys... I killed Bin Laden so we could celebrate my actions bipartisan-ally.

Posted by: Barry Uhh-bama at May 28, 2012 09:47 AM (FcR7P)

79 I heard obama praise Panetta for his service to the Country Damn straight. Panetta is the guy who woke me after sixteen hours.

Posted by: Barry Uhh-bama at May 28, 2012 09:50 AM (FcR7P)

80 Just saw O,s motorcade, seeming to head to Arlington. Thought he was taking the day off.

Posted by: Elizabethe from elsewhere at May 28, 2012 09:52 AM (Tw7tK)

81 AllenG, the patch on your grandfather's Class A jacket is a STRATCOM patch (Strategic Communications Command).

Posted by: AZ Hi Desert at May 28, 2012 09:52 AM (ial2b)

82 Just saw O,s motorcade, seeming to head to Arlington. Thought he was taking the day off.

Posted by: Elizabethe from elsewhere at May 28, 2012 01:52 PM (Tw7tK)

-------------------------------------------------

Probably looking for a Burger King.

Posted by: Soona at May 28, 2012 09:56 AM (4Ofz/)

83 Last time I heard "Taps" was for dad, back in March.

Posted by: Dave in Texas at May 28, 2012 09:56 AM (PjVdx)

84 The "Duke" starring in "The Green Berets" on AMC now.

Posted by: Soona at May 28, 2012 10:01 AM (4Ofz/)

85 Probably looking for a Burger King. Well, then he was going the wrong way.

Posted by: Elizabethe from elsewhere at May 28, 2012 10:05 AM (Tw7tK)

86 New thread with babes.

Posted by: Vic at May 28, 2012 10:05 AM (YdQQY)

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at May 28, 2012 01:42 PM (piMMO)

As a Coloradoan, I apologize profusely for Ken Salazar being inflicted on the nation. It's getting really embarrasing to have to say that I'm from there, and getting to be surprisingly nice that I'm *from* there and not actually there.

Posted by: Polliwog, Teahada hobbit at May 28, 2012 10:12 AM (CQ1cz)

88 My grandfather was in the Rainbow Division in WWII.

Posted by: Feynmangroupie at May 28, 2012 10:48 AM (oI744)

89 Proud (former) member of Co C 1/167 Alabama Army National Guard. They served in Iraq as well. "Fourth Alabama!"

Posted by: Wild Bill at May 28, 2012 11:02 AM (eA40J)

90 Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

Posted by: steevy at May 28, 2012 11:08 AM (7W3wI)

91 As a Coloradoan, I apologize profusely for Ken Salazar being inflicted on the nation. It's getting really embarrasing to have to say that I'm from there, and getting to be surprisingly nice that I'm *from* there and not actually there. *** As a former Coloradoan, you're off the hook, but I'm still pissed. He couldn't even take his effin hat off?!!!

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at May 28, 2012 11:26 AM (piMMO)

92 test ~~test~~

Posted by: Clutch Cargo at May 30, 2012 08:48 AM (Qxdfp)

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