“Let us solemnly remember the sacrifices of all those who fought so valiantly, on the seas, in the air, and on foreign shores, to preserve our heritage of freedom, and let us re-consecrate ourselves to the task of promoting an enduring peace so that their efforts shall not have been in vain.” —Dwight Eisenhower
“No man can sit down and withhold his hands from the warfare against wrong and get peace from his acquiescence.” —Woodrow Wilson
“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” —Sir Winston Churchill
“The patriot volunteer, fighting for country and his rights, makes the most reliable soldier on earth.” —Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson
“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.” —Calvin Coolidge
Memorial Day is not just a day for BBQs. Today is a day to remember the fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.
Take a moment of time today and reflect on the sacrifices of our fallen Servicemen and women today. They are the reason that we are free.
On this day, I want to remember my friend MAJ Doug LaBouff. Doug died on January 7, 2006 at Tal Afar, Iraq, in a Blackhawk helicopter crash.
The following is from my website Tribute to the Armed Forces of the United States of America:
Doug was my last Platoon Leader. He came to E Troop, 2nd Squadron 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in 1997. He was given the 3rd platoon, which I was the Platoon Sergeant.
Doug was a 1st Lieutenant when we met. He was a Military Intelligence Officer assigned to an Infantry platoon. This made it rather odd. This was done because the Regiment was short on officers.
Doug and I got off to a great start in our relationship as Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant. I had the benefit of having a 1LT, which means he has some experience in the Army, but I also had the good fortune to have a man that was willing to learn the ways of the Infantry by listening to his PSG. He was like a sponge!
After being together for over a year in 3rd Platoon, I moved up to the Regimental HQ due to a back injury.
We stayed in touch, which for me was easy to do. He moved back into a MI job as the Regimental Support Squadron S-2. After I retired in 2001, Doug and I remained close friends through the years. In fact he was my son’s Godfather.
We spent time together on a few occasions when he came home on leave, his family and mine. We enjoyed each other’s company immensely.
I am a better man for having known Doug and thank God that he blessed me with his friendship.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, and their two children, Cassidy and Doug Jr.
You will never be forgotten my friend.
Your sacrifice for this nation is the highest price one can pay for the freedoms that we all enjoy.
May God bless his family and keep Doug by His side.
Remember their sacrifice.
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