Semper Fi
Memorial Day
- Thread starter Fin Fan in Cali
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Semper Fi
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Coming from a military family, like many here, I am so grateful for those who have fought for our freedoms.
- Joined
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Watched "The Best Years of Our Lives" and "A walk in the Sun" this weekend. Those men and women were something! As a veteran of the Army I was in during peace time, thanks to these brave Americans. My children have often as asked me if I saw heroes during my time, I always tell them yes in the cemetery. The ones with the small American Flags.
Making me tear up on a Monday afternoon...Thank you.
Taking Chance is a great Hollywood production of what you posted. Kevin Bacon said making that movie changed him as a man.
I cant watch military movies
Raise a glass for 'em y'all...they earned it.
Ray R
Club Member
Well done!
Ray R
Club Member
That in itself, is a form of respect in my eyes.
My father and I, had a tradition by watching military movies all throughout the Memorial Day weekend. It started as a child and lasted until he passed. After his passing, I made the effort to continue on. He always told war stories from his time in Korea and stories he heard from my uncle's who fought in WWII. It never got old. I miss those moments, it was like having an up close and personal history lesson from my father's point of view.
My social media post remembering my NCO.
Many of you have seen my post prior years, memorializing GySgt Kenefick.
I’d like to politely remind everyone this holiday is to honor, rightfully so, the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for country, and by default, our liberty.
I would like to ask you to share this post, in memory of Aaron. Thank You….
As Family and friends gather around picnics, cook-outs, pools and beaches this Memorial Day weekend, I would respectfully ask that you might set aside a few moments and recall what Memorial Day is really about.
I would like everyone to know of Gunnery Sergeant Aaron Kenefick, United States Marine Corps (USMC).
Why ? Because Gunnery Sergeant Kenefick is one of us.
He is not another Marine.
He is not another name on a list.
He is your son, your daughter's boyfriend, the nephew you are so proud of.
And he died serving your country in Afghanistan in 2009.
I had the pleasure of serving with Kenefick (at the time he was a Sergeant) for the better part of 2 years. He was my Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), but more aptly stated, I was "HIS Navy Lieutenant".
Wherever we went, he was always protecting "his Lieutenant", to the point that I would explain to Sergeant Kenefick (with raised eyebrow) that I already had a mother......
With that square jaw, eyes of steel, body of chiseled granite, soft heart and a smile that melted the ladies, Sergeant Kenefick defined the term "All-American". He was born to excel. He was invited to play semi-pro football while assigned to duty in Tampa. He was twice named Marine of the Year at Commands in which he served. I know. I wrote him up for the first one. It only took 15 minutes to write that citation. And he won hands down.......
Please allow me to tell you a story.
In the Spring of 2007 I had the honor to send him to an opportunity to meet President Bush, who was flying into
Sarasota and was going to be met by my wife's grandfather.
At approx 0600 Sgt. Kenefick called me. He was very worried about his hair prior to meeting the Commander in Chief. He needed a haircut. The dialogue begins as such:
Kenefick: "Sir, I can't go"
Me: "Why"
Kenefick "I need a haircut"
Me: "Yeah, so ?"
Kenefick" " Sir, I can't meet the President and not look squared away !"
Me: "So.... Get a haircut !!!!!!!"
Kenefick: "Sir, you don't understand, my barber is across town:
Me: "SGT Kenefick, GET YOUR HAIR CUT and meet my father-in-law at 1000 to meet the Pres." !!!!
The story ends that SGT Kenefick got very squared away, met the President that day and was treated like a Rock Star at the Sarasota event. There are pictures to prove it.
Why do I reveal this story? To bear witness to you that GySgt Kenefick was very much a typical American young man. He had worries. He was nervous. He had fears.
However when it came time to protect "his Lieutenant", his Marine Corps, his Platoon, his country
or anyone who needed help, his actions were immediate. Without pause. His instinct was to protect......
And that is what he did.
In 2007, SSgt Kenefick volunteered to transfer to 3rd Marine Division hoping for an opportunity to lead marines into combat in Afghanistan.
While deployed to Afghanistan, his Forward Operating Base (FOB) was attacked. GySgt Kenefick was
hit by shrapnel and was treated for his wounds. In typical fashion, his injury did not stop him; he was going with his team on the next mission.
Two days later his platoon was sent out and attacked the enemy. GySgt Kenefick
was the first to be killed on that mission. He was leading from the front, as usual…
He didn't do go on that fateful mission because he was told to, he went because
that's just the way Gysgt was; to be the first to respond, to lead, and most
importantly, to protect the men behind him.
May God Bless you and Keep you in Peace, Gunnery Sergeant Kenefick. Memorial Day is meant for you and those like you. It's meant for all of us to tell our children about you and explain why you died. I know I will......
May all men in the world be like you Aaron, filled with honor and goodness. For if they were, perhaps we wouldn't need warriors like you to protect us.
Many of you have seen my post prior years, memorializing GySgt Kenefick.
I’d like to politely remind everyone this holiday is to honor, rightfully so, the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for country, and by default, our liberty.
I would like to ask you to share this post, in memory of Aaron. Thank You….
As Family and friends gather around picnics, cook-outs, pools and beaches this Memorial Day weekend, I would respectfully ask that you might set aside a few moments and recall what Memorial Day is really about.
I would like everyone to know of Gunnery Sergeant Aaron Kenefick, United States Marine Corps (USMC).
Why ? Because Gunnery Sergeant Kenefick is one of us.
He is not another Marine.
He is not another name on a list.
He is your son, your daughter's boyfriend, the nephew you are so proud of.
And he died serving your country in Afghanistan in 2009.
I had the pleasure of serving with Kenefick (at the time he was a Sergeant) for the better part of 2 years. He was my Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), but more aptly stated, I was "HIS Navy Lieutenant".
Wherever we went, he was always protecting "his Lieutenant", to the point that I would explain to Sergeant Kenefick (with raised eyebrow) that I already had a mother......
With that square jaw, eyes of steel, body of chiseled granite, soft heart and a smile that melted the ladies, Sergeant Kenefick defined the term "All-American". He was born to excel. He was invited to play semi-pro football while assigned to duty in Tampa. He was twice named Marine of the Year at Commands in which he served. I know. I wrote him up for the first one. It only took 15 minutes to write that citation. And he won hands down.......
Please allow me to tell you a story.
In the Spring of 2007 I had the honor to send him to an opportunity to meet President Bush, who was flying into
Sarasota and was going to be met by my wife's grandfather.
At approx 0600 Sgt. Kenefick called me. He was very worried about his hair prior to meeting the Commander in Chief. He needed a haircut. The dialogue begins as such:
Kenefick: "Sir, I can't go"
Me: "Why"
Kenefick "I need a haircut"
Me: "Yeah, so ?"
Kenefick" " Sir, I can't meet the President and not look squared away !"
Me: "So.... Get a haircut !!!!!!!"
Kenefick: "Sir, you don't understand, my barber is across town:
Me: "SGT Kenefick, GET YOUR HAIR CUT and meet my father-in-law at 1000 to meet the Pres." !!!!
The story ends that SGT Kenefick got very squared away, met the President that day and was treated like a Rock Star at the Sarasota event. There are pictures to prove it.
Why do I reveal this story? To bear witness to you that GySgt Kenefick was very much a typical American young man. He had worries. He was nervous. He had fears.
However when it came time to protect "his Lieutenant", his Marine Corps, his Platoon, his country
or anyone who needed help, his actions were immediate. Without pause. His instinct was to protect......
And that is what he did.
In 2007, SSgt Kenefick volunteered to transfer to 3rd Marine Division hoping for an opportunity to lead marines into combat in Afghanistan.
While deployed to Afghanistan, his Forward Operating Base (FOB) was attacked. GySgt Kenefick was
hit by shrapnel and was treated for his wounds. In typical fashion, his injury did not stop him; he was going with his team on the next mission.
Two days later his platoon was sent out and attacked the enemy. GySgt Kenefick
was the first to be killed on that mission. He was leading from the front, as usual…
He didn't do go on that fateful mission because he was told to, he went because
that's just the way Gysgt was; to be the first to respond, to lead, and most
importantly, to protect the men behind him.
May God Bless you and Keep you in Peace, Gunnery Sergeant Kenefick. Memorial Day is meant for you and those like you. It's meant for all of us to tell our children about you and explain why you died. I know I will......
May all men in the world be like you Aaron, filled with honor and goodness. For if they were, perhaps we wouldn't need warriors like you to protect us.