Memorial Day - 2011
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Ben and Elaina
29 May 2011
Ben Morton answered America’s call from Kansas. He joined the Army and served in Korea, then reenlisted and served as an infantry Sergeant in Mosul, Iraq. On the night of 22 May 2005, intelligence was received that high value targets were in a certain large house. Ben’s recon platoon moved in. Sergeant Ben Morton led the way up the stairs, and in the ensuing firefight Ben was shot and mortally wounded. Ben died from blood loss just near the spot where he had been hit.
It was two nights after the first year wedding anniversary for Ben Morton and Elaina Salinas. Elaina got word even while flowers and cards poured in, many of them from Ben. He had ordered flowers each day for the entire month. The Mortons were a couple deeply in love. The course of their romance had been like something from a novel and now this. Even after his funeral, the flowers and cards continued to arrive from Ben. With Ben’s loss, and his love still pouring in, Elaina was inconsolable, so heartbroken that nobody from either side of the family could reach her. Their love had been so deep that even their families had fused into one. Together they searched for answers. Some nights, Elaina would take Ben’s sleeping bag to the cemetery near the small church on the windswept Kansas plains. She would weep beside Ben’s grave until she fell asleep even while his family would ask her to come home. But even when she would come home, she cried all night in Ben’s bedroom until she would finally go quiet.
One day, Elaina drove to a special place beside a lake where she and Ben had spent much time. Elaina was alone when she took a small tree branch and traced in the sand by the lake, “I Love You Ben Morton, R.I.P.” She traced a heart around the words and then joined her love forever.
Rest In Peace Ben and Elaina. Many people miss you.
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Thank you!
Michael
Comments
Taking advantage of people's emotions to request funding so you can continue doing what you love is very manipulative.
I used to respect you,
Adam, you like looking for trouble? You came to the Wild West of gun battles armed with a water pistol in a desert. In other words, you're type just aint welcome in these here parts.
Trop insoutenable: Je t'aime,Ich liebe Dich,I Love you ! ! !
As always, thank you. A very touching story. RIP Ben and Elaina.
Still, I have a valid point.
...umm, not if you understand what a signature file is, maybe get out more.
I've always said "THOSE WHO WAIT...ALSO SERVE!" On Memorial Day we should remember those who gave their all and their families who gave their loved one.
Adam - I believe that those who have commented before me have voiced my thoughts quite adequately. Bee...you hit the nail on the head!
There is a BIG difference between blatant self-promotion (which is done by some of the most frivolous, non-important & non-interesting types) and your signature line. God bless you this Memorial Day 2011. Thanks.
www.youtube.com
My right knee is killing me, but I have one, my age is sure taking a toll right now, and I haven't been tough enough to fight it, but I'M ALIVE.
This great moment in movie history had been "slightly revised", and as GOD is my witness, I stand for every word uttered in this "slightly revised" great speech, by a great actor, from a great general, who should have been president now for us, or in the next election if we could bring him back.
The day upcoming should not be just a day off...I complained today, about a really sore knee, some will wake and they will have one missing, maybe two....I'm ashamed to have complained, with the date in the morning and what we should be thankful for.
Jack Peek
No, no you don't. You obviously didn't take the time to educate yourself on what a signature file is, even after it was pointed out to you.
If you were a supporter, you would know that all of his communications come with that message. You had to have gotten here via FB or email where it plainly and clearly says "Please remember that this website accepts no advertisement and is dependent on your support."
Do your full research before posting again please.
You just had to hijack a lovely remembrance, didn't ya? - thanks for your support of our troops.
Really? Adding to the pain already there? Really had to go there?
How do you know she didn't get grief counseling? Were you there? Blaming the military is not the way to go. They do the best they can - but you can't save a person who doesn't want to be "saved". Please don't speak until you have all the facts.
I'll put you in the same category with "adam" above. Hijacking a thread to further your own agenda instead of just showing support. Shame on you! Take your anger and frustrations out somewhere else.
A signature at the end is still part of a post.
The fact that its there at every post doesnt change the fact that it is there.
My point is valid and pertinent.
A persons inability to see both sides of an issue reveals them to be an idiot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0QarL96wg4
We have such a unique freedom as Americans and we owe a debt of gratitude to those who gave everything to make it possible.
Have a wonderfully fun and safe day, smile, laugh, be silly with your families, but promise me you will never forget.
They were still on the front lines defending all of our freedoms.
Adam, he begged for money while he had his feet massaged in Thailand for almost a year. He begs for money while insulting the Canadians. He begged for money while traipsing through the Himalayas. This is how he makes a living. Stand your ground. Sometimes sig files need to be removed. This is one of those times.
I find it nice that this isn't a recycled dispatch as well.
You may be gone nephew xa8ndbut you will never be forgotten.
http://warprayer.org/
An earlier comment mentioned having to recognize various viewpoints. I agree. This story is tragic. But based on sheer necessity of numbers, the loss of loved ones is felt far more by the innocents in the countries in which we are fighting, and by those we are fighting themselves. We are not the only ones missing and honoring and remembering those killed, in action and otherwise.
And most who are not of the genius category never know when to keep their semi-thoughts to themselves. Ignorance stands out like a sore thumb.
____________
Quoting adam:
Adam, It's pray not prey. A Freudian slip perhaps?
The story was what this day was supposed to stand for. Tragic and compelling.
God bless them both and thank God that there are young men, and women, willing to do the job.
I don't agree with that. It should primarily be a day to remember those who have and are still serving but also a day to celebrate their lives. Unfortunately a lot celebrate a day off work or school but there are many in this country who do celebrate the lives of the United States' Armed Forces.
"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." -- General George S. Patton
The copyright of 1 picture can pay the equipment of 5 embedded michaels.
Stand you ground.
A note, it's true that the signature line goes on all dispatches. We cannot selectively remove it. (Been through this with my webmaster more than a year ago.) It's part of the archetecture.
Since my last embed, I've spent three periods unembedded in Afghanistan and covered the fighting in Thailand from up close. Am packing now to return to Afghanistan in the morning.
Michael
Chase:
Veterans Day is when we remember those who have served. Memorial Day is when we remember those who have fallen.
Universal Love.
Tshuss...and snd STAY ALIVE !
Thanks for recognizing that there are no children serving in the ranks. These are the young - and some not so young - men and women who are willing to take the "queens shilling" and serve their country. They are all volunteers and I, for one, am deeply grateful. God bless them all.
The Old Sarge
In memory of CWO A.W. Gunn and the crew of MEDEVAC Flight Dustoff 90, who went MIA in Vietnam the 12th of February 1968.
http://www.jayandmolly.com/ballouletter.shtml
Thank God we have unselfish men and woman stepping forward to fight terrorism while others complain about the war and look for faults in those who support our troops.
May the Lord protect those who protect us, and always keep their families in His warm embrace.
People like Adam thrive on bomb throwing and disparagement of others trying to do the "right" thing!
He probably has Code Stink in his bookmarks so please ignore her gay sounding liberal attitude!
That said, No matter what is in the FOOTER, I agree with Michael's posting of this article and the message it sends.
Depression can kill you, just as well as any bullet!
I outta know, it killed my father after his wife of 50 plus years and my precious little mother, died of cancer!
Adam shame on you, shame, shame, shame!
Micheal I absolutely appreciate this article, because it is a very true one. People find it as a celebration to have fun, go to the lake, and etc. When honestly it is a day of mourning for some families.
What can any of us say..........may they both rest in peace together, forever!
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