God bless and thank you all who serve
God bless and thank you all who serve
Who is that in the picture? Tell us in the Comments
picture: dunno source, via our lol builder. lol caption: jordybb
Show Only: News | Democrats | Republicans | Media
« Previous Casual Day? | Now… Next »
» 259 Comments
Get Daily Lol News Emails
RSS Lol News Feed
-
Recent Comments
Squiggly on POLITICIANS Igor the Vigorous on POLITICIANS Igor the Vigorous on What a relief you’re… Squiggly on POLITICIANS Squiggly on What a relief you’re… Igor the Vigorous on What a relief you’re… JWarren on What a relief you’re… eddiepscetti on What a relief you’re… eddiepscetti on What a relief you’re… Igor the Vigorous on What a relief you’re…
That’s kind of sad…
I agree kinda.
I am sad that men and women are killed defending the country. But I am also very proud that they would volunteer to do it. Makes me want to be very certain the government treats them well.
My brother is in the Naval Reserve and I sent him a bunch of flowers to thank him. Thanks to anyone else on these boards who has served!!!
If you read the headstone, it’s dedicated to army DOGS
And I think it’s very touching that they decided to make that for the dogs.
Shows that some people care enough about dogs, even though the dogs themselves probably don’t understand what’s going on most of the time.
I felt a pinch inside when I understood the picture.
marine dogs… not army, big difference douche.
Yeah, the difference is Marine dogs, like Marines, have no “sit” command. They don’t know when to let go, they don’t know how to let go. They’ve got an inferiority complex the size of a roach. Insult a Marine, and see how big and cock he gets!
I hope you meant to say “cocky”.
wow look at you, you turm a butyfull picture about ALL who prtect america and all that you think about is that marienes are stupid?? who gives a fuck weather its marienes or army the POINT is that they are risking THEIR asses to prottect YOUR ass. anny true american soldger army, navy, marienes, or air force would be ashamed of your comments.
You forgot The U.S. Coast Guard
Now, was a profane insult necessary for such a common mistake? Lighten up, people!
Too bad all Dept of Defense dogs are trained at the same damn place douche.At
Lackland AFB. So if you wanna get down to the gritty they would be Air Force dogs first
dont be an A/hole about it ok cheeshead
To take this conversation away from Marine bashing for a moment (no comment on that, by the way; I respect anyone and everyone who fights for this country, personalities aside):
In DC, where I’m from, we have memorials to just about everyone and everything that ever helped our country. It wasn’t until I was old enough understood the significance of the memorials that they started to mean so much to me.
I cried (which takes a lot…) when I saw a certain homeless man I’ve come to know fairly well standing at the Vietnam Wall, just staring; it turns out he is a veteran of that war.
(I feel like this is turning into a sappy story. I apologize, I hate sappy stories. I tend to be a bit of a cynic and this sort of thing disgusts me a little.)
As usual, I gave him a $5 or $10 bill, whichever I happened to have that day. I trust the man to use the money wisely. He, as usual, thanked me for the cash. I thanked him right back for his service.
I wish I had a picture of that moment: a homeless man, the right age to have served in Vietnam, standing straight and looking quite dignified, just staring at the long list of names. Trust me, it would be on this site.
Wow Ali!! Now that’s thee most descriptive and meaningful story I’ve heard about the military this year (which says a lot as I have family who hold extremely high rankings in the military). I can totally picture this significant moment in time you so brilliantly painted
you are exactly who they prey on… that “vietnam vet” went straight to the liqour store and to his crack dealer.
there are some that try to fool others, but there are actually Vietnam vets that are homeless. there is a bit of an underground of homeless society and vets make up part of it.
Also what kind of crack is $5
how sad that your only response to this story was to make a cynical comment. I have served with British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. I now suffer from PTSD. I battle with that legacy every day. If that homeless vet did spend the money on booze or drugs he deserves your help not frankly pathetic cheap jokes at his expense. People like you do not know what it is like on the battlefield because of what people like the vets have done for you
Good boy.
Awww… your post almost made… nope… it did make me cry…
Not all heroes have two legs… *sobs*
oh man, I wasn’t gonna cry til you put that.
Thanks to ALL who serve, two and four legged ones.
Proud Army Mom
Ready… Salute!
Aorooooow Rooouu Rooouuuooouuu!
Bow, and get your treats.
;_; Sweetie widdle doggies… Rest in peace! <3
So touching.
Thank you, goggies.
That’s awesome.
Much better then the idiot that made the one that said “Why you make us fight your wars”
I voted that one up. Here’s a good story why:
“Anti-tank dogs, also known as dog mines, were starving dogs with explosives harnessed to their back and trained to seek food under enemy tanks and armoured vehicles. By doing so, a small wooden lever would be tripped, detonating the explosives.
The dogs were employed by the Soviet Union during World War II, to be used against German tanks. The dogs would be starved, then trained to find food under a tank. The dogs quickly learned that being released from their pens meant to run out to where a tank was parked and find some victuals. Once trained, the dogs would be fitted with an explosive charge and set loose into a field of oncoming German tanks. When the dog went underneath the tank — where there was less armour — the charge would detonate and gut the enemy vehicle.
You’re story is inspiring, put a Russian or a German instead of a US solider and I’ll vote that up.
Did you follow Iran-Iraq war (or probably you were too young
– Iranians used kids age 5 and up as dog mines.
Do you remember Iran-Iraq war (or probably you were too young
– Iranians used kids age 5 and up as dog mines. I still remember those kids with the kinda band on the forehead
We talking about the army the US is allied with or the people fighting us?
But let’s not forget why they didn’t use more of the ‘bomb dogs’…they didn’t always go for the enemies’ tanks.
Kinda hilarious imagining that situation…”No fluffie! Go to the other guys tanks! THE OTHER TANKS!”…
Always remember to train your dogs to seek the ENEMIES tanks. They apparently stopped hundreds of tanks though. Germans soldiers were given orders to shoot alll dogs.
I seem to remeber an attempt to train dolphins worked as well… one boat looks pretty much like any other to a cetacean…
They also have dolphins trained to find underwater mines.
They’d be good at that…
LOL get your facts straight. The Russian anti tank dogs were an initial idea which was canceled after thirteen attempts. Unfortunatly, the dogs were very ineffective at carrying enough explosives to completely incapacitate the tank. They also tended to head for the russian tanks rather than the German tanks, bacause that was how they were trained. Plus the time needed to train one of these dogs was not efficient, it was much easier to use landmines, and IEDs.
Dogs in combat have saved hundreds of lives in WWII, and they were very well treated by the marines who served along side them. The tragedy is that the US government decided to abandon all dogs used in Vietnam, rather than bring them back. A decision which has cause a high number of suicides from their former handelers.
The program was canceled prematurely, since the dogs were trained on Russian tanks, they would frequently turn and run for what they recognized…rather than the enemy. The entire story of this ‘experiment’, aside from the cruelty of it, is very interesting.
You don’t have to belong to the United States Marine Corp to understand “Semper Fidelis.” That’s one touching picture.
Curious how thousands of US soldiers and uncountable amounts of civilians are now dead… yet this picture, commemorating fallen animals from over sixty years ago moves us. Even me… I don’t know whether that’s a thought that condemns the shallowness of our society or myself.
Wow… the power of a photograph…
*yawn* Huh? Oh, yeah, cool picture.
You’re an a*shole.
Someone named their dog ‘Nig’. lollolololololololooloooololololoooolololololooololllololloloololoololololooololooolol
yeah I noticed that too
Gee, are you always such an insensitive dick?
Unfortunately there’s always at least one in every crowd.
How is being touched by this picture in any way a condemnation of our society? Perhaps if you are unaffected by tributes to human soldiers… but certainly those pictures bring the same mix of sadness and pride for me.
Personally, I found the soldier resting his hand on the dog’s head to be the most touching part of the picture — not the fact that there were dogs who’d died in war.
Only the thought that we can be more touched by the waste of war when a dog’s life is spent than a human’s. I’m immensely fond of dogs (grew up with a Labrador, a kelpie and a Doberman), so I don’t wish to cheapen dogs any – but surely a person is worth a little more… And, yes, I think that society at large gets somewhat unaffected by tributes except on these hallowed days.
Nothing wrong with being touched by the picture – I believe it’s one of the most powerful images I’ve seen for months.
Life is life. A humans is worth no more then a dogs. And the reason we’re so touched by a dogs life is because the dogs did not volunteer for it. They followed their masters into war and were betrayed to their death. The dogs didnt know better, they didnt get a choice. They were blindly forced into service. And that, is why we mourn them.
It’s no better then the terrorists strapping a bomb to a child and sending them into a crowded market.
RIP Doggies.
ASSHAT! = Barockeva
[no, that implies worth, hmmmm.... *tries again*]
Maggot Infested Dog Turd! = Barockeva
Wrong, a human is more worth then a dogs, a dog would never make a dog memorial, yet the humans realize how much they care for the dogs that help us.
So can we give the pregnant mother the same abortion rights as a woman.
The life of a child and a puppy have nothing in common.
Really? One is a monkey, the other is a dog. Both are animals, and equal. Anything else is you splitting straws because you think that humans are in some way special.
Ummm…duh? If you really need an explanation as to why human life is more important that animal life, then you’re spending way too much time on here.
I think all life, including animals, is sacred. But if comes down to the choice of saving a human or an animal, I’ll choose the human…every time.
Ha! If I had to save either my boss or my boss’ dog, (or his cat, fish, lizard or snake), I’d pick the animal every time!
Humans have the intelligence to compromise and negotiate, and yet we
insist on killing the shit out of each other. We have the reasoning power to not do it, yet we continue to do so.
The smartest animals on the planet and yet we’re still the most violent.
I disagree, we are above the animals, that doesn’t give us the right to murder and slaughter them, but if we had to choose us over the animals in a sense of survival, choosing ourselves is the better choice. No animal in the world can do what we do, we may not have ‘animal powers’ but we certainly have compensated for that.
I’m not going to go into a human’s over animals debate. It’s not true.
Whether humans are more valuable than animals is all a matter of perspective. I would die for my cats. They are innocent and deserve to be defended. When I was little I stepped in front of a moving car to get my neighbor’s cat out of the street. If I was stranded in a desert with only my cats and no food, I would rather starve to death than eat my cats.
Oh, and another example of how goodhearted people put the animals first: my Vet. Tech teacher asked us to bring in cans of both pet and human food for the Greater Boston Food Bank. She told us that many homeless people have pets, and that receiving pet food often makes them happier than receiving human food, because most homeless people will make sure that they feed their pet first, and themselves second. I thought that was the cutest thing ever!
That’s an awesome idea, and I bet there are LOTS of homeless people who do exactly that. Aww!
(Not to be a nuffer, but how do the people who process donations react? “Jesus, another can of dogfood! WTF?”
You are right, animals can not rape the land nearly as efficiently as humans can.
Well, except for cute, fuzzy bunnies in Australia a while back.
All animals will rape the land unless something stops them.
Animals usually have some thing that stops them raping the land.
Something that eats them, usually.
In the case of cattle, there is an inhibition against eating grass within a certain distance of their droppings that preserves a little grass.
In the case of the rabbits, Australia lacked adequate rabbit predators at the time.
In the case of humans, our cleverness has allowed us to overcome all obstacles. I pray that our wisdom becomes the thing that stops us.
‘Above’ the animals… I think it’s that view that got us into the state we are now.
We’re at the top of the food tree, yes, but we’re not inherently superior.
Hello, dogs cannot make dog memorials. We humans happen to have the ability to use tools. I think dogs would make dog AND human memorials if they had the intellect to use tools and to conceptualize memorials.
And you’re wrong that the life of a child and a puppy have “nothing in common.” They’re much more similar than you realize. They both have to learn by exploration and trial and error, etc. Childhood has the same principles for almost all mammals.
There is another lovely picture, a bit less important than this one, perhaps, of a memorial to several circus horses that were killed in the famous Ringling Brothers circus fire. The memorial contains the animals’ names and the epitaph “We Think They Must Have Souls”. Despite anyone’s view of God or Christianity, the desire to memorialise a animal-companion is a reaction to the bonds of responsibility and friendship that many people feel toward animals. It’s no shame to hope, if you believe in an afterlife, that one of the comforts of the next world would be to share it with the creatures one loved in this life.
It’s hard to find figures but at the least 500,000 horses were killed in combat during WWI. The number may be more like a million. I’m having trouble finding sources that don’t contradict one another.
Yeah, it is also inconsiderate to the soldiers dying, that the handlers of the dogs lost were more prone to suffer from PTSD than regular soldiers, and more prone to post war suicide. We should also just build a mall on ground zero, scrap the Arizona and get rid of veterans day. I mean, people are dying NOW, who cares about who died in the past.
At the risk of being contentious here, more or less they ARE building a mall on ground zero, just with the word ‘Freedom’ in name…
I agree about the hand on the dog’s head- he obviously loves his dog, and hopes that he will never have to lose him, even though he knows he’ll outlive his friend. And it kinda looks like he brought his dog so that his dog could say HIS respects. AWWWWW! -cry now-
Dude, w/e, any memorial picture moves me, I remember my high school teacher that took us to the Vietnam memorial, smoked a cigar in front of some name and we walked away. I have so much respect for that man and when he did that I almost cried. Shove your generalizations up your ass.
And I say some name because if anyone asked him what he was doing they’d probably get a punch in the face.
Keeping a promise to an old friend who said let’s get together for a cigar once a year to remember thus-and-such, amirite?
Probably. I have so much respect for that man, God used him to make me who I am today.
Sounds a gem. *this site needs a rolleyes*
Perhaps a more effective response would be to tell the questioner the story of the one he left behind.
Because men love to be asked what is making them cry *rolleyes*.
Maybe the next day.
He was smoking a cigar, not weeping. The cigar is a story, grief is private.
it’s because dogs are much more innocent than humans.
those soldiers signed up for the job, and while it surely sucks they were lost, they knew the risks.
the dogs gave their lives just doing what their trainer or master told them.
It’s probably because humans “understand” that they’re going to war.
The dogs don’t understand the concept of war. Usually they’re trained to do this as a game.
I also saw some homeless people with dogs, and I almost always feel more sad for the dog than for the human (probably because it’s usually the human’s fault they’re in this situation, not the dog)
A lot of homeless are Ex-mil.
I am just waiting for someone from the LOLDOGS to come over here and try to post something undignified.
I would like to echo the sentiments, and say Thank You to all how have served on this Veteran’s Day.
I find it interesting the different names this day is called around the world.
Veteran’s Day(US) suggests to me that it is all about those who survived.
Rememberance Day (UK, Australia, Canada, etc.) is about remembering those whom didn’t survive (or remembering the horrors of war)
Armistice Day (Europe) suggests it is all about the end of the fighting.
In the US, Veteran’s Day honors those who survived, whereas Memorial Day honors those who did not. We have a day for both.
We have a second day for those who fought in general (alive or dead), but with a special focus on one battle we lost miserably.
ANZAC Day here is mostly about the Battle of Gallipoli (1915), and is the only public holiday I know anywhere in the world that is largely about losing, rather than winning, a battle/war.
.
I simplify and generalise that day’s meaning, but no offence is meant to the Aussie vets by that.
I always thought that Veteran’s Day was in honor of all those, both living and dead, who served America in wartime. Memorial Day was to honor the people who sacrificed themselves for our country, even if they weren’t part of military action.
This is my understanding as well.
Well, over here in Poland it’s called Independence Day and is probably the most important national holiday here. But that’s because the Great War helped Poland regain independence after over 100 years of political non-existence.
Veteran’s Day? We have a remembrance day in Australia. One minutes’ silence on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month… the end of (what was said originally with no irony) the war to end all wars. 1918. That’s one solemn minute. Ninety years on, and the young still quietly weep in shopping centres… So much we have learned, so muchy we never shall…
We Will Remember Them.
Lest We Forget.
Sadly, I haven’t met anyone here in the States for long years now who remember that minute of silence at the 11th hour. As Walt Kelly said, it would be more fitting to be silent the rest of the year in order to think of something worth saying today.
Don’t know Walt Kelly, but fo’ dam’ sho’ he got a point there.
Walt Kelly was my favorite cartoonist back in the day. His Pogo the Possum strip and books were hilarious. They poked fun at politicians of all stripes – Nixon and his merry band of burglars, Castro, the KKK. Check him out at http://www.pogopossum.com/.
He was also a favorite of my dad, who was born November 11, 1911. He had me convinced until about 4th grade that I got out of school on November 11th because it was his birthday. I miss him so.
Bless your heart – for the Pogo link and for remembering your dad. He must have been a real “card!”
Today when they put the pledge on the intercom at school, it was clear they had a brought in a veteran to say it. This gentleman seemed to be getting on in years, and was a bit slow in his message (saying we are honoring those that served, listing the wars from WWI on) and then the pledge. When he finished my students were snickering a laughing at how long it took him to say the pledge. I have rarely been so ashamed.
Always nice to be reminded why some kids just need a beating.
I cant remember who said it but a certain comedian once said “Maybe its not
the teachers or the lack of funding… you stop and just think, ‘Hey, maybe the
kids just suck?’”
My mother would agree with Jane but she’d have broke a yardstick on the desk
right in their face to scare em… She’s awesome.
Yup, my middle child was home sick today so when the music started I got her to stand there with me in silence from beginning to end, a tear rolling down her cheek. It is amazing how emotive The Last Post is..
Actually Rafiq, this photo with caption should really be reposted “as-is” on the hotdog site.
As the Irish say: Ar deis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
At the right-hand of God may their souls be.
Hell yeah.
Hey, don’t you be bashing the LOLdogs. Pundit Kitchen probably wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for the creation of IHASAHOTDOG and its predecessor ICANHASCHEEZBURGER.
A very true comment… but Lolspeak makes my eyes bleed… sorry.
…and it’s a Malinois.
Former 5812 here. (USMC MP / K9 Handler)
A Belgian Malinois http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Shepherd_Dog_(Malinois)
Also a former USMC Military Working dog Handler/Kennelmaster 5812. We used to say they did everything in 5th gear; they even crap in 5th gear. Great, smart, hard-working dogs.
Semper Fi!
Another USMC Military Police, Military Working Dog Handler & Kennelmaster 5812.
Specifically a Belgian Malinois – originating from the town of Malines (Mechelen), Belgium http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Shepherd_Dog_(Malinois) We used to call them “Belgian Malinese,” to chauvinistically anglicize the name.
These are fantastic, beautiful, smart, hard-working patrol dogs and narcotic- and explosive-detector dogs. They do everything in 5th gear.
Semper Fidelis!
Everything in 5th gear is an understatement!
I’ll always have a nice big scar on my hand to remind me of my times in the USMC K-9 Corps.
finally, something with class on here.
I concur.
fail
*shakes head*
americans…
oh…………..
the fail is all mine
I saw the meat head in uniform and thought it was a tribute to ole glory
now i see it is for the dogs…
annoys the hell out of me that they use dogs in the military tho
slavery lives on
Effing Troll.
It’s because of “meatheads” like him that I have the freedoms I enjoy on a daily basis. I can take a lot of insults at a lot of things, but do NOT insult a miltary person in uniform. Period. Shows a total lack of intelligence and class. Go away and grow up. Dumbass.
Thank you to all the men and women who currently do and have previously served in our armed forces, no matter the role. It is appreciated more than you’ll ever know.
I think slavery requires an organism with self-awareness.
Shut up and go to hell.
,,!,,
For The Fallen
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
No one said we only have to remember our two legged comrades this day…
Well said, sir. Well and good that such a poem be recited. In our RSL clubs, we still recite the fourth stanza every evening. At six o’clock, all stand, all remember. Even the youngest drunks sober for that one brief moment of every day.
By a quirk of fate, my family seemed to have fought in every war from the Napoleonic wars until Korea that the British Isles were involved with. I lost friends on land and sea in the Falklands, the Gulf and a few ‘police actions’ that never made the papers. My late father, a very dangerous man, could quote nearly all Wilfred Owen’s poetry, as well as the above by Laurence Binyon, from memory.
I have little or no respect for the adventurers who sent them to their fate, but I respect the men, and women, who put their lives on the line…
Agree on that one, indeed. One of the many reasons why in my family Churchill isn’t remembered with unconditional fondness…
I’ve had the oddest experience with a young soldier in my congregation a couple of weeks ago. Preaching on Matthew 5 (turn other cheek, love enemies etc), and he came up to me and asked how that worked for guys like him who were about to go back to Afghanistan, where chances are high he will be required to kill someone… The answer I’d give him would be very different to the answer I would give the governmental twat that decided Australia’s national security is somehow served by sending soldiers to Afghanistan.
Crazy…
I’ve never quite worked out what is more appropriate – “For the Fallen”, or “And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.” Best and most brilliant version by the Pogues… see if you can’t download it and have a listen. I always play it on this day and weep…
I don’t know the Pogues version, I’m more familiar with the original Eric Bogle version.
I would have thought “No Man’s Land” would be the more apt song for this day. “And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda” is more of an ANZAC Day song.
No Man’s Land (or “Green fields of France”)always makes me want to cry. And “Floors o’ the Forest.”
It’s when you think of how young they were. There’s a plaque in the school hall with the names of the schoolboys who died. I mean, 14 year olds pretending to be just a little older to join up. An army of teenagers is just a really, really sad thought.
“Teenage wasteland”?
In the same vein, click on my name for Mike Harding’s ‘The Accrington Pals’
Bolloxed that up…
Click my name for an English song in the same vein…
That sir, was beautiful.
Awwwwe.
Too bad god is imaginary. The caption would be better if it said “The USA Army thank you all who serve”.
Btw, why should any god thank or congratulate a person or a dog because s/he served in the army of one specific country?
Oh and the picture is of a Marine… Armed forces would be more all-encompassing.
ACUTALLY, that picture is from the memorial on Guam, on the navy base. That person is a Master at Arms.
nope, that is a Marine. Anyone who was one can tell from the way he blocks his cover (shapes his hat).
MAs wore the hat too – just with the Navy anchor on the front instead of the Eagle, Globe & Anchor.
There are no creases in his cammies and his boots look like they were polished with a warm bar of chocolate. I vote Navy.
LOL…..your explanation was way funnier than mine!
It depends on the age of the photo. Could be Navy or Marine.
The expression “God bless” does not imply that God is thanking dogs. “God bless and thank you” simply means that we wish God’s blessing on those who serve and have served, that we are thankful for the men and women who have done a thankless and frightening job, and on a day like today we remember with horror, sadness and great gratitude that some people and some families have paid a ghastly price…
‘Nuff said.
It’s still wrong, like I said, why should any god thank or congratulate a person or a dog because s/he served in the army (or Armed forces) of one specific country?
If “God bless” makes Christians happy, then let it be there. It doesn’t infringe on you in any way at this point.
This doesn’t mean include God in everything, it means include God when nothing is worse off for it.
.
As an example; I am staunchly atheist, but half my family is Catholic and some of my family is Mormon. If they want to have a prayer at my funeral (decades from now I would hope), then I wouldn’t want my beliefs to get in the way of that.
If “God bless” makes Christians happy, then let it be there. It doesn’t infringe on you in any way at this point.
This doesn’t mean include God in everything, it means include God when nothing is worse off for it.
.
As an example; I am staunchly atheist, but half my family is Catholic and some of my family is Mormon. If they want to have a prayer at my funeral (decades from now I would hope), then I wouldn’t want my beliefs to get in the way of that.
As a staunchly anti-religious (with a singular dislike of the Abrahamic cults in all their forms) atheist, I know that poetry trumps most things. A grave marked ‘A Soldier of the Great War. Known Unto God’ only a fool would find offensive.
And there are graves of atheists in Flanders, Ypres, The Somme and half a dozen other battle fields I’ve visited… The stand next to people marked with crosses, stars of David, the crescent of Islam, and the crossed knives of the Sikh. Equally honoured, not for their imaginary friend, but for what they did.
As a point of history, my Grandfather (maternal) maintained that, for him, God died on the Somme.
I hope they are touched by His noodly appendage.
“Too bad god is imaginary.”
I know this isn’t Failblog, but if it was, I would have labeled that OPINION FAIL.
I haven’t seen any proof that god is anything but imaginary…
And your brilliant reply demonstrates the existence of a god.
Shall we save the “God exist / not exist” debate for another day? Today ain’t the day, Alex. Let it go, let’s remember tohose who have paid terribly, and let’s keep this day for them.
‘Kay?
Meh. I’m not looking for a debate or discussion, nor remember people who have died for their country or their country’s interests (no matter which country) today.
Then how about you piss off today?
Boo, this was in response to alex2610’s idiocy above.
Bawww, someone does not like to read that their’s skydaddy is imaginary :’(
LOL, I am agnostic. It is your flippant disregard and lack of respect for the dead that pisses me off. So I say again, piss off.
The why don’t you GTFO?. Meh, this is boring. Hasta la bye-bye closet believer, whine all you want.
*yawn* Troll.
If you not looking for a debate or discussion, nor looking to remember the fallen, why post in this thread?
Oh, yeah, your a f’ing troll that is why. Do you even belive the filth that comes out of your mouth
<-agnostic, but you still make me sick
ATTENTION: God must be imaginary because a pker says so.
And the word was spoken
Rofl.
Alex, You may believe God is imaginary. I believe God is real. If you feel the caption would be better as you state, you have that option. I admit, I probably didn’t have proper punctation to clearly state MY interpretation of the photo. Space is limited as well and I didn’t want to detract from the photo. Had there been enough room and had I been an expert at captioning, I would have found a way to state: May all who have served and continue to serve, receive God’s blessings. I give my thanks to all who serve in all branches of the military.
As it is, I believe *most* understood what I was trying to say.
Can I just peek in here and sat I am somewhat uncomfortable about the name “Nig” for a goggie?
Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, RAF , the man who led 617 Squadron in the raid on the Ruhr Dams owned a black lab called ‘Nigger’.
It’s pointless trying to redact the past.
I did NOT see that. Wow… talk about a sign of the time in which those dogs served, huh?
Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar, RAF , the man who led 617 Squadron in the raid on the Ruhr Dams owned a black lab called something I’d get lynched for here…
It’s pointless trying to redact the past.
In fact one of the three attack groups was named after the dog, who’d been run over on the morning before the raid.
As sampled on Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’: “I’m sorry, Sir, it’s [dog's name], Sir, He’s dead Sir!” (from ‘The Dambusters’, of course)
Did a double-take a few weeks ago when Dambusters was on TV on a Sunday afternoon and one of the pilots got out of his plane and started shouting (to his black labrador) “N*****! Come on, N*****!”
It’s a sad fact that, back in the second world war, and for years afterwards, it was perfectly acceptable to name your dog ‘Nig’ or ‘Nigger’. It makes for uncomfortable reporting now, but it shows us how time has changed in the intervening years and reminds us that, while we still have a long way to go, we’ve made some progress for equality.
Okay, my comment was eaten because I dared to use the word, so I’ll try again and censor myself.
It’s a sad fact that, back in the second world war, it was perfectly acceptable to name your dog ‘Nig’ or ‘Nig’ with a ‘ger’ at the end. It makes for uncomfortable reporting now, but it also shows that, despite the fact that we still have a long way to go, we have made some improvements in equality in the intervening years.
Indeed.
Why don’t we have a rememberence day for all the innocent non-combatants who have died in conflict? In most conflicts more of them are killed than soldiers, and the soldiers are the ones who kill them and each other anyway.
Maybe you can do a touching tribute on your manboobsahoy blog, douche.
Depends where you are. In the UK, we remember all who died in war, soldiers and civilians alike.
Yes, but generally speaking the soldiers get all the memorials and attention.
I can think of several memorials to fallen civilians just off the top of my head, but but I do see your point that coverage does focus on those who were in the military. But the day is about remembering the fallen. So all you have to do is remember the civilian casualties yourself. I know I do.
You really don’t get the joke do you?
BTW that wasn’t aimed at Emma… or Daftpunk.
It’s pretty crappy.
The joke is pretty crappy, but most people don’t see it’s a joke at all…
What’s a joke?
Old rich men sending young men to do their dirty work for no good reason other than power… When you see the madness, insanity is the only sane response.
*sigh* I should not have asked. This is not the day for that.
It’s part of the day, I’m afraid. It takes no honour from those who laid down tiheir lives, but forgive me for agreeing with Owen, the great lie is:
Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori…
…in your opinion. But to many (myself included), you are wrong. To term that as a “joke” is your choosing.
All of life is a joke…
‘Tis only a joke to you, I am happy to say.
Take the plug out of your bum and you may learn to laugh too.
I don’t know, bumplugs make me laugh a little.
VERY sad. The dogs, unlike humans, have no say in whether or not they have to go to a different country and take part in the murder of others.
If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything. People would do well to remember that there is a steep cost to freedom. While the sword has been used many times to support oppression and repression, without the sword those who have freedom would likely not have it now.
I agree in principle, but I could live without the sound bite… it cheapens the comment.
Well said! We all need reminding of that.
What I wanna know is who didn’t rate this a full 5?
The same characters that use it to make a lame anti-military political statement. Regardless, it is safe to say that the majority of us find it to be a touching tribute to all who serve, be them two legged or four.
We should root them out and execute them! Only True Americans deserve to live! Hur hur hur.
A view too common when you scratch the surface.
It’s people like that who make me hope beyond hope that the big ass rock with our name on it hits home sooner rather than later…
I didn’t. Why do you want to know?
Goddamnit, that made me cry.
Well, as for 2008, we in germany call this day…tuesday =/
Redbird, please don’t take this as a cruel or imflammatory question – that is far from my intent – but is there any formal day of remembrance for the victims of the wars (soldiers or civilians)? How do relatives remember the soldiers who did their job? I appreciate that it’s an awkward question.
Well… we have the so called “Tag des Gedenkens an die Opfer des Nationalsozialismus” which remindes on the victims of the third reich. But i don’t remember that we have a day on which we give honour to our soldiers. As long, as I’m a Soldier by myself. And in the next year I’m going to afghanistan, so it makes me a little sad, that germany is not able to honour there soldiers who fight for freedom and peace. You see, we’re not only try to take over the world
I cannot say that I am totally shocked that the Germans don’t celebrate Armistice Day. Would be a lot like England doing a big fireworks display on July 4th. . . . .
There’s some pretty good reasons German’s wouldn’t want to remember Armistice Day.
Let me quote Harry S Truman from Nov.11 1918:
“It is a shame we can’t go in and devastate Germany and cut off a few of the Dutch kids’ hands and feet and scalp a few of their old men but I guess it will be better to make them work for France and Belgium for fifty years. ”
- The Treaty of Versailles was designed to punish Germany. Can’t blame them for wanting to forget it.
How to be ungraceful in victory… Truman aced it
I already said I understood why German’s wouldn’t celebrate the day. Sheesh.
oops sorry i misread.
I so rarely get to use my WWI trivia, I sometimes jump the gun
“The Treaty of Versailles was designed to punish Germany.” And sowed the seeds for WWII.
Thanks for that one, Redbird. Looking at the comments that mushroomed after us there, anyone should be able to see why there’s some reluctance to mention these things at all. My apologies – I was rather hoping that people wouldn’t go that way… on this day and all… Thanks for your answer. Rest assured, it means something, pal.
If it’s any consolation, in a village near where I was born, there are the bodies of a German Bomber crew. Their graves are also decorated with poppies this day, and taps played for them.
Not because they were German, but that they are dead service men, who gave their lives, same as our boys did, only their war ended for them in a Lincolnshire field, far from home, rather than some continental one, equally far away.
I wonder how much war dogs died here in eastern France between 1914 and 1918… I know there was a lot.
Quick google search says 40,000 dogs were killed serving with the allied armies. Don’t know if that includes the Russian Mine Dogs or not.
A lot that fell were rescue dogs. It was an unlucky cadaver dog that found a booby trap.
They were also used to lead blind soldiers and messengers:
Dogs were then used for three main duties, messengers, sentry and guard use. The supply of dogs was increased by Battersea Dog Home and the others around the country supplying strays. Some members of the public also gave their dogs for the army. Men in the trenches were forbidden to impede or interfere with dogs on a run as a court martial offence and the dogs had tin cylinders and coloured tallies on thier collar to distinguish the unit they were with. Use of the dogs saved many lives as they had better survival chances than runners.
Enough with this photo already.
got a problem, sunshine?
With thank and gratitude to all serve…..both two feet, and four.
*salute*
That got me…..damnit. Had to give my heelers a hug for that. My red is curled up at my feet now. Dogs rank better than some people, in my book. Something about their selfless devotion, enthusiasm, workability……
And although I’ve met numerous people lacking one, I’ve never met a dog without a ’soul’
That says alot about us doesn’t it?
Too all those who served their country, 2 or 4 legged, thank you.
People whine-whine-whine about the damnedest things. 9_9 You’d think unconditional love would amount for SOMETHING, whether it’s for your country, your pet, your master, your god, your life, your soul, your fellow countrymen, whomever/whatever.
Thanks to the humans in uniform and the goggies who protect them!
Yes, God bless the troops! Both two and four legged!
Even this tired old cynical atheist can raise a glass to that one…
…As they assisted the occupying empire in the never-ending task of murdering natives and nstalling a government that just happens to send all their resources to the US …at rock-bottom prices, of course. All this so you and I can eat at McD’s.
It’s so brave!
No, it’s animal abuse.
Imagine if Hitler had won, …how he’d have rewritten history. That’s the “history” Americans are learning.
S’okay, those non-whites never are smart enuff to run their affairs on their own anyway.
Recto-cranial extraction starter kit: “Bullying with the Bomb” by Joseph Gerson
Because WW2 was a war of US aggression against Japan, right? Did George W. Bush plot the attack on Pearl Harbor? Okay.
Jesus H Christ Nathan get the hell away from him! He’s off his meds and could go at any moment! Step away slowly and dont make any sudden moves unless you wanna lose a finger or two!
Brilliant post, I’m tearing up here.
FFS people, can we cut the wank for one day and show some respect?
Oh right, this is the Internet. My bad.
I’m afraid there are always those who think ‘cynicism’='wit’,'cool’, ‘profundity’
Let them spit on the people who preserved their right to spit on them… it’s a liberty any of us could lose at any moment. The liberty to be a grade A ass in public.
…and, this being the Internet, not all of us reading/commenting are Americans. To me, yesterday was just a Tuesday. Perhaps if there had been an extra comment on the first page about it being Veterans Day, some of the more unpleasant comments would’ve been skipped?
-
And no, I didn’t post anything disrespectful yesterday, and won’t today either. Just trying to point out that people maybe weren’t all trying to be as inflammatory as they could. But then again, as you said, this is the Internet. ;P
For most native English speakers, the bulk of Europeans and a lot of India, it was some variation of Remembrance Day.
So, assholery is a good bet… since this is the Internet.
Yay! This is a good day, I’ve learned something new! For some reason, yesterday just wasn’t talked about much on Swedish radio. Of course, Sweden wasn’t directly involved in WWI, but still a little more mention of it would probably have been reasonable.
-
Anyway, I now know more thanks to the comments here making me look it all up on Wikipedia. The Internet has some good effects too.
It’s like that in The Netherlands too
Their involvement WWI was the army getting down to Maastricht in time to shout ‘And don’t come back’ after the German army who were disappearing into Belgium. Then the went home…
Anyone notice the “Nig” in this picture?
This is why you should read the other comments before posting.
Hey minerva…. just wanted to know… did you notice the name “Nig” in there?
Hey, Thanks for pointing that out, Max!
Can someone point it out? I missed it
Link to story about the dog memorial in Guam.
http://www.stripesguam.com/content/war-dog-memorial-tells-little-known-tale
Thanks for the link!
Cheers!
May all those who have lost their lives in any bloody conflict rest peacefully, whether they died for love of country, their masters, or by a cruel twist of fate.
umm third name down..Nig
*smite* Read the comments before posting.
Semper Fi is for faggots.
Gaylord, calling the Marines faggots earns you an Iron Cross (Nazi war medal)
The Marines risk their lives to keep this country safe. To keep you safe. And what do you do? You call them faggots. I’m sure any self-respecting Marine would *smite* you.
I’m sure the Marines would agree. [/sarcasm]
I’ve been there. It’s in Guam on the Navy base. I don’t remember what the memorial is actually called but it’s for the dogs that served with the marines there. Very special place; those dogs were valiant, as badass as every other marine.
Could this be… a conservitave caption?!
Politics aside, All men and women who serve our country get the warmest and most heartfelt thank you I’ve ever given anyone. If you want to put your life on the line for our country, you deserve to be able to have a beer by age 18 in my book. That’s just my opinion, I could be wrong. NOIR!
What the heck does it have to do with conservatives? Oh, right. Conservatives ar the only ones who are patriotic and only they support the military. *headsmack* I forgot.
I don’t think doan’s comment was meant to be offensive, I was rather surprised to see this as well since this site is obviously left-leaning. Perhaps it’s the mention of “God” that led doan to think it’s a Conservative title since “liberals” most recently use the term “God” only in sentences used to describe people that cling to guns (much like your military). It’s commonsensical for someone to think the people that defend and protect our country are subservient to our government (The United States). All the hatred expressed in regards to our current administration, as observed on this website, would suggest (quite a few) liberals would be anti-anyone promoting the United States’ agenda. George W. Bush is our Commander-in-Chief, like it or not.
Get off your high horse. Conservatives are no more or less patriotic than liberals. The current administration is not promoting the United States agenda, they are destroying it. But don’t worry, we’ll soon fix the mess you made. We always do, because we love our country. That’s why we don’t screw it up like you conservatives do every time you gain control.
Seth, this is my point exactly, thank you. Bitch all you want about the current administration, we’re here fighting for you to bitch and if you think what our military is doing is wrong, then you aren’t FOR our military, how could you be? This is hypocrisy at it’s finest. Democrat or Liberal President, we’re serving OUR country and we RESPECT *our* Leader chosen by the people WE DEFEND. I mentioned nothing of patriotism or lack thereof. Oh and btw, I’m not a Republican/Democrat nor do I claim the title of liberal or conservative. If you’re against this war we’re in, then you surely can’t be pro-military at this time, end of story.
I didn’t mention anything about “Patriotism” or lack thereof. I also didn’t claim to affiliate myself with any Party or ideology. If you’re against the war we’re in, then you can’t be pro-military at this time, that would be hypocritical. The U.S. military is serving the United States with George W. Bush at the helm, he commands our respect. He’s held the position for 8 years, so if any military person wanted to leave, they would have by now, yet many are still here and newcomers, well, they knew what war they were stepping into, yet proceeded to sign up anyway, so yes… we know who we’re serving under and we continue to serve under him. Your assumptions about me are rich, not to mention your generalization of an entire political party. Oh, by the way, we’re pulling out of Fallujah because they can now govern themselves. ~.o
Hate only brings ignorance in the form of “intelligence,” I suggest you get a firm grip on reality before you really lose it.
Sorry, thought my first comment was “eaten.”
This caption is wonderful. As a dog lover i find it inspiring and tearful! We need to send this to I Can Has A Hotdog as well!
Any way you look at it, this picture is touching. I’m sure (at least I hope) that all of us here support the troops, both human and canine.
The man and his dog share such a bond; I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking.
I agree with williamca; this belongs on ICHAH. It certainly transcends politics.
Why do these things always turn into name-calling arguments? It is a beautiful picture of a beautiful idea. If you agree, fine. If you don’t agree, fine. Just say so and go on. It’s not necessary to spend thirty minutes spewing venom everywhere. I guess I was mistaken when I assumed that this sight was for entertainment purposes, not venting your frustrations and hostilities.
they were’nt dogs, they were weapons, savage human mauling machines, we do not mourn or commemorate lost rifles or planes, why mourn the loss of another weapon
they were not just weapons! they were also friends to the soldiers they protected. its obvious that you know absolutely nothing. there were many times that the only way that alot of soldiers kept any kind of sanity in the horrible circumstances they were in was their dogs! just so you know, if you were close enough i would kick you really hard in the shin just for saying that you idiot.
read the book “Always Faithfull” by Captian William W. Putney D.M.V, U.S.M.C
its a memoir of the marine dogs of WWII
maybe it will help you get your head out of your ass
That’s a very good book. And if “whatever” had read it, they would know that these dogs were not just weapons. You could not just walk up to one and say “kill”. They and their trainers went through extensive training together so that there would be a bond.
This is what dogs are made to do.
As long as i don’t have to see them,
hear them, or touch them,
its ok with me if they are doing their job!
Jesus… I figured this was one picture I could stand to read the comments on…. guess I was wrong.
Idiots Everywhere, 1
Faith in Humanity, 0
I was eating when I saw this pic… I had to stop cos I got a massive lump in my throat… God I love dogs… i pray their next step is heaven. Blessed be.
How hypocritical of the government to erect a monument to war dogs. In past wars, the dogs were never allowed home.
In Vietnam alone, about 4,000 dogs served. Of those, fewer than 200 came back, he said. The rest were considered army equipment and were destroyed.
Under legislation passed in 2000, retired military dogs are required to be put up for adoption.
Google it.
Obviously a fake.
That’s about the nicest thing the Marines have ever done
Thanks doggies 
Yeah….it’s a touching picture. I just get angry sometimes at how military personnel and the dogs are treated. I think it just serves as a reminder of how far humanity still has to go.
We may have freedom and all that other bullarchy, but that doesn’t mean one can rest on their laurels.
oh and here’s the adoption website for ex-working dogs, if anyone’s intrested.
http://www.lackland.af.mil/units/341stmwd/index.asp
Amazing!!