The Last Full Measure of Devotion

markem · 05-24-2015, 10:13 AM

As one friend posted on FB; no matter how far you travel or what you bring to the day, no one will have traveled further or given more than those who gave their lives in service to our country and all for which it stands.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
Given November 19, 1863
Near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war ... testing whether that
nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated ... can long
endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate ... we cannot consecrate ... we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ... that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion ... that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain ... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ... and
that government of the people ... by the people ... for the people ... shall not perish from the earth.

pnoon · 05-24-2015, 10:14 AM

Blueface · 05-24-2015, 10:27 AM

CigarNut · 05-24-2015, 07:18 PM

05-24-2015, 08:27 PM

Mark - thanks, good rememberance

icehog3 · 05-24-2015, 09:59 PM

Subvet642 · 05-24-2015, 10:06 PM

shilala · 05-24-2015, 10:44 PM

We are free men, brothers.
By the love, lives, strength, will, and resolve of our Fathers before us.
Men who knew Liberty, thrived on Freedom, knew God.
None our greater, only great men who stood.
Bravery and heroism borne at the moment of need, only to protect a home for the flower they held dearest.

If that God-given freedom does not burn in your heart every hour, then you have not tasted freedom.
Your chest has not burned, your heart has not sent prayer to Liberty, you have not embraced the opportunity to go your way.
Taste that, for it is your only meaningful legacy, dead or alive.
Give that to your wife, your child, and their children.
And by the Love of Christ, let them know from which this gift has come.

Havanaaddict · 05-25-2015, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

We are free men, brothers.
By the love, lives, strength, will, and resolve of our Fathers before us.
Men who knew Liberty, thrived on Freedom, knew God.
None our greater, only great men who stood.
Bravery and heroism borne at the moment of need, only to protect a home for the flower they held dearest.

If that God-given freedom does not burn in your heart every hour, then you have not tasted freedom.
Your chest has not burned, your heart has not sent prayer to Liberty, you have not embraced the opportunity to go your way.
Taste that, for it is your only meaningful legacy, dead or alive.
Give that to your wife, your child, and their children.
And by the Love of Christ, let them know from which this gift has come.

longknocker · 05-25-2015, 03:34 AM

dijit · 05-25-2015, 04:22 AM

Very well said my brothers. From one who was lucky enough to come home to those unfortunate enough to have made the ultimate sacrifice; You will always have my undying respect, love, honor, and devotion to preserving your memory and the cause for which that sacrifice was made.

shilala · 05-25-2015, 10:30 AM

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
-John 15:13 NKJV

05-24-2015, 10:13 AM	#1
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,523 Trading: (47)	The Last Full Measure of Devotion As one friend posted on FB; no matter how far you travel or what you bring to the day, no one will have traveled further or given more than those who gave their lives in service to our country and all for which it stands. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address Given November 19, 1863 Near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation: conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war ... testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated ... can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate ... we cannot consecrate ... we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us ... that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion ... that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain ... that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom ... and that government of the people ... by the people ... for the people ... shall not perish from the earth. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

05-24-2015, 10:14 AM	#2
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion __________________ Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -John Wooden

05-24-2015, 10:27 AM	#3
Blueface Gramps 4x's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Horatio Seymore Hiny Location: Boca Raton - North of La Habana Posts: 8,774 Trading: (8)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion __________________ Little known fact: I am a former member of the Village People - The Indian

05-24-2015, 07:18 PM	#4
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,038 Trading: (111*)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

05-24-2015, 08:27 PM	#5
badbriar Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion Mark - thanks, good rememberance

05-24-2015, 09:59 PM	#6
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 70,553 Trading: (60)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

05-24-2015, 10:06 PM	#7
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

05-24-2015, 10:44 PM	#8
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion We are free men, brothers. By the love, lives, strength, will, and resolve of our Fathers before us. Men who knew Liberty, thrived on Freedom, knew God. None our greater, only great men who stood. Bravery and heroism borne at the moment of need, only to protect a home for the flower they held dearest. If that God-given freedom does not burn in your heart every hour, then you have not tasted freedom. Your chest has not burned, your heart has not sent prayer to Liberty, you have not embraced the opportunity to go your way. Taste that, for it is your only meaningful legacy, dead or alive. Give that to your wife, your child, and their children. And by the Love of Christ, let them know from which this gift has come. __________________

05-25-2015, 03:34 AM	#10
longknocker Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Mobile, Alabama Posts: 11,113 Trading: (82)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion

05-25-2015, 04:22 AM	#11
dijit Have My Own Room Join Date: Feb 2012 First Name: Mike Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 2,186 Trading: (48)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion Very well said my brothers. From one who was lucky enough to come home to those unfortunate enough to have made the ultimate sacrifice; You will always have my undying respect, love, honor, and devotion to preserving your memory and the cause for which that sacrifice was made. __________________ Sporting goods raffle for a great cause. PM me for tickets.

05-25-2015, 10:30 AM	#12
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: The Last Full Measure of Devotion Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. -John 15:13 NKJV __________________