MANNING THE RAIL: Manning the rail is a method of saluting or rendering honors used by naval vessels (wikipedia)
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I'm the granddaughter to two Submariners. And daughter of a Submariner. My family was lucky to be somewhat stable, but like mine, many families never had hometowns. Or family reunions. Often way too far apart for holidays, birthdays or even the birth of a child. We didn't see our dads for long periods of time. And we weren't allowed to know where they were. We just knew they were deep under the ocean. I get a bit mushy on Memorial Day because that was very little sacrifice in comparison. And no one in my immediate family was lost in service.

Let's take a moment this weekend to "Man the Rail" for all those who put themselves in harms way. Freedom is not free. And before "Politically Correct" was PC, my 92 year old Grandfather always said "If it weren't for them, we'd be speaking Japanese."

I figure he earns the right to keep on saying that - after all, he sat under the Pacific ocean in a 'tin can' (early diesel submarine) and weathered depth charges. There were no "submarine rescues" in those days....and it really doesn't exist now....

He often recalls - there were no aethiests down there either.

Unfortunately, we have many new soldiers to memorialize this weekend.

"They fought together as brothers-in-arms. They died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation."
— Admiral Chester W. Nimitz