Ken Potts, One of Last 2 USS Arizona Survivors, Dies at 102

[Jersey mike]

It’s a shame the old stories will fade away with time and who knows, maybe the Arizona Memorial will someday be gone or left to degenerate.

Fair well sir and thank you for your service. May calm seas and fair winds guide you now. RIP

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/uss-arizona-survivor-dies-ken-potts/2023/04/23/id/1117178/

[h13man]

Thank you and RIP sir.

[carolinarider09]

"Fair winds and following seas, Sir. We have the Watch."

[old2soon]

    You may stand down Sir we'll take it from here. Thank you for Your Service and Welcome Home. Watched something awhile back on a Public tv channel where an Arizona Survivor after he had passed had his ashes interred on the Arizona. To this very day when TAPS is played I still git choked up and git a little water in my eyes. May you Forever Rest in Peace Sir.  RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

Of course you who address the deceased do know that Mr. Potts will not be reading this thread.   

[carolinarider09]

Of course you who address the deceased do know that Mr. Potts will not be reading this thread.   

On a place such as a "Bulletin Board", one can only type words.  In this case the words that are typed are words that are in one's heart.

The expression of these words is meant to show respect and honor for those that have left this world and who have served.

But who is to say Mr. Potts is not watching, not I.   

[Willow]

Of course you who address the deceased do know that Mr. Potts will not be reading this thread.  

On a place such as a "Bulletin Board", one can only type words.  In this case the words that are typed are words that are in one's heart.

The expression of these words is meant to show respect and honor for those that have left this world and who have served.

But who is to say Mr. Potts is not watching, not I.    

LOL!  I really don't need it explained to me.  I must be smarter than you think I am.  I'm just pointing out how meaningless it is to address the dead, especially those whom we did not know.

You missed a question mark but in answer to your implied interrogative, I am.   

[Jersey mike]

Of course you who address the deceased do know that Mr. Potts will not be reading this thread.  

On a place such as a "Bulletin Board", one can only type words.  In this case the words that are typed are words that are in one's heart.

The expression of these words is meant to show respect and honor for those that have left this world and who have served.

But who is to say Mr. Potts is not watching, not I.    

LOL!  I really don't need it explained to me.  I must be smarter than you think I am.  I'm just pointing out how meaningless it is to address the dead, especially those whom we did not know.

You missed a question mark but in answer to your implied interrogative, I am.   

So should we not have a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and stop all the tours there?

While the decedent may not know it, it’s a nice gesture to give some remembrance to their lives and the duty they preformed, just like taking a moment of silence in a group setting to remember those who have passed such as Memorial Day.

I don’t know anyone who died while serving but I do say thanks to them and say a prayer they at peace and hope people continue to serve for our country and freedoms.

This man may not have shot down dozens of planes or single handily sunk enemy ships, he served when his country needed him then went on to pick up where he left off after the war.

[Willow]

So should we not have a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and stop all the tours there?

While the decedent may not know it, it’s a nice gesture to give some remembrance to their lives and the duty they preformed, just like taking a moment of silence in a group setting to remember those who have passed such as Memorial Day.

I don’t know anyone who died while serving but I do say thanks to them and say a prayer they at peace and hope people continue to serve for our country and freedoms.

This man may not have shot down dozens of planes or single handily sunk enemy ships, he served when his country needed him then went on to pick up where he left off after the war.

Those are mixed notions.

The guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is not for speaking to the (unknown) dead but to honor the dead.  Graves are for the purpose of honor.

I certainly did not belittle the heroism of the deceased.  I simply stated that he is not reading this thread and therefore speaking TO him in this thread is without real meaning.  Speaking of him, honoring him, is a good thing.

[Jersey mike]

So should we not have a guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and stop all the tours there?

While the decedent may not know it, it’s a nice gesture to give some remembrance to their lives and the duty they preformed, just like taking a moment of silence in a group setting to remember those who have passed such as Memorial Day.

I don’t know anyone who died while serving but I do say thanks to them and say a prayer they at peace and hope people continue to serve for our country and freedoms.

This man may not have shot down dozens of planes or single handily sunk enemy ships, he served when his country needed him then went on to pick up where he left off after the war.

Those are mixed notions.

The guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is not for speaking to the (unknown) dead but to honor the dead.  Graves are for the purpose of honor.

I certainly did not belittle the heroism of the deceased.  I simply stated that he is not reading this thread and therefore speaking TO him in this thread is without real meaning.  Speaking of him, honoring him, is a good thing.

But words are thoughts and make up prayers. When we pray at home (or anywhere else for that matter) out loud or in silence do those we pray for know we’re praying for them?

In a group setting like this, is it a waste of time to offer up a prayer even though the spirit of the deceased is not a member and cannot open a website to see how the decedent, in their ordinary life affected those who they never came in contact with?

[MAD6Gun]

Of course you who address the deceased do know that Mr. Potts will not be reading this thread.  

  Yesterday would have been my dad Solo1's 95th birthday. I wished him a happy heavenly birthday on Facebook. So I shouldn't bother doing the same here since he wont be able to read it?   Got it....

[Willow]

But words are thoughts and make up prayers. When we pray at home (or anywhere else for that matter) out loud or in silence do those we pray for know we’re praying for them?

In a group setting like this, is it a waste of time to offer up a prayer even though the spirit of the deceased is not a member and cannot open a website to see how the decedent, in their ordinary life affected those who they never came in contact with?

I suppose I won't argue this further as you've changed the subject from speaking to the dead to first honoring the dead and then praying to the dead.

I've no problem with honoring the dead.  It should be done.

We disagree on the subject of prayer.  Thoughts and words are not prayer unless those words or thoughts are directed to the Diety.  Do those we pray for know that we're praying for them?  IF they do the message come from the Spirit to whom we've prayed, not from us or directly from the words we've prayed.

I do not pray for or to the deceased.  They have completed their earthly journey and received their reward.  I know I find myself in conflict with the concept of purgatory but then I believe even the Roman Catholic church has abandoned that belief.  My understanding is that where the dead are they've no interest or interaction with the world left behind.  A popular song artist must have agreed with me as he sang about there being "No Tears in Heaven."  If one in Heaven was still aware and caring about what goes on in this world they would be shedding copious tears in that otherwise happy place.

My father has been gone from this world for almost sixteen years; my mother for twenty-four.  I honor them.  I occasionally visit the site of their bodies' resting place and I remember them.  I speak well of the lives they lived.  I do not speak to them or post messages on public forums for them to read.

Am I right?  I think so.  Am I wrong?  Others think so.   I'm comfortable with where I sit and I'm more that comfortable with where I see humor.  Be comfortable with yours even if it makes me smile.      

[Kiwitex]

Those are mixed notions.

The guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is not for speaking to the (unknown) dead but to honor the dead.  Graves are for the purpose of honor.

I certainly did not belittle the heroism of the deceased.  I simply stated that he is not reading this thread and therefore speaking TO him in this thread is without real meaning.  Speaking of him, honoring him, is a good thing.

Why do you care?
If people want to express themselves this way, and it gives them some comfort, why not?
They are not hurting anyone, and your comments come off as smug and superior. While you may not have belittled the heroism of the fallen, you are belittling those who commented.
And just to be clear, the Honor was earned before the grave. The grave is to give other people a place to focus and deliver that honor and gratitude.

[Willow]

Those are mixed notions.

The guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is not for speaking to the (unknown) dead but to honor the dead.  Graves are for the purpose of honor.

I certainly did not belittle the heroism of the deceased.  I simply stated that he is not reading this thread and therefore speaking TO him in this thread is without real meaning.  Speaking of him, honoring him, is a good thing.

Why do you care?
If people want to express themselves this way, and it gives them some comfort, why not?
They are not hurting anyone, and your comments come off as smug and superior. While you may not have belittled the heroism of the fallen, you are belittling those who commented.
And just to be clear, the Honor was earned before the grave. The grave is to give other people a place to focus and deliver that honor and gratitude.

Your comments come off as smug and superior as well.  I guess we are what we choose to be.   

[Serk]

When Blake and I toured the USS Alabama while on the recent Mississippi Spring Fling Ride I noted a thing in the gift shop...

It gave me pause and made me sad.

Noted this, in the clearance section...



There just aren't enough of 'em left, much less enough of 'em left that are still driving, to support making and selling such a thing anymore...

[Psychotic Bovine]

Those are mixed notions.

The guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier is not for speaking to the (unknown) dead but to honor the dead.  Graves are for the purpose of honor.

I certainly did not belittle the heroism of the deceased.  I simply stated that he is not reading this thread and therefore speaking TO him in this thread is without real meaning.  Speaking of him, honoring him, is a good thing.

Why do you care?
If people want to express themselves this way, and it gives them some comfort, why not?
They are not hurting anyone, and your comments come off as smug and superior. While you may not have belittled the heroism of the fallen, you are belittling those who commented.
And just to be clear, the Honor was earned before the grave. The grave is to give other people a place to focus and deliver that honor and gratitude.

Your comments come off as smug and superior as well.  I guess we are what we choose to be.   

I don't think he came off smug at all.  However, you, on the other hand....