Outside the Beltway

Fort Benning honors the nation's fallen service members with a Memorial Day ceremony at the post's cemetery May 27. The 9 a.m. ceremony at the Main Post Cemetery went forward under bright but partly cloudy skies, with an audience of some 200 Soldiers and civilians seated outdoors. The ceremony included remarks by a speaker, and a wreath-laying in tribute to "all the nation's veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice." The wreath-laying was followed by the firing of a three-volley rifle salute and the playing of "Taps." (U.S. Army photos by Patrick Albright, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning Public Affairs)
U.S. Army photos by Patrick Albright

Memorial Day Forum

Steven L. Taylor
15

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15 responses to “Memorial Day Forum”

  1. Jax Avatar
    Jax

    @CSK: I’m still upright, thanks for asking. It’s been a very rough couple of months. I’ve done 3 rounds of 3 days of carboplatin/etoposide chemotherapy, but my latest scan shows it’s not doing any good. The cancer has metastasized to my hips and pelvis, makes it very hard to get around. I use a walker for any “distance” walking. They want to do targeted radiation and put pins in my hips after I get to Oregon.

    I just got done with a new round of chemo, Folfirinox, and it’s kicking my ass. I’m not sure I’m going to do another round of it.

    Scheduled to move to Oregon this next weekend. I’m hoping I feel better by then.

    19
  2. CSK Avatar
    CSK

    @Jax:

    I hate that you’re suffering. Please check in when you can.

    7
  3. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    @Jax: I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Know that we’re thinking about you and sending good vibes.

    6
  4. MarkedMan Avatar
    MarkedMan

    @Jax: Sending my best thoughts your way

    4
  5. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    @Jax: Jax, we’ll all be thinking of you and keeping you in our hearts.

    5
  6. Kingdaddy Avatar
    Kingdaddy

    @Jax: Hoping for the best for you, and that the move to Oregon goes smoothly.

    4
  7. Jax Avatar
    Jax

    The hardest part is getting appropriate pain pills. For whatever reason, doctors and pharmacists in Utah and Wyoming are very hesitant to prescribe fentanyl in a dose that cuts the pain. My local pharmacy can’t get it at all, so I have to drive to another town for a dose that only lasts a couple days.

    I mean, I know I’m not surviving this. Don’t give a shit if I become addicted, I just want to be able to live with the pain.

    12
  8. charontwo Avatar
    charontwo

    @Jax:

    I am sorry to know that.

    2
  9. Mr. Prosser Avatar
    Mr. Prosser

    @Jax: I am so sorry about the pain, deeply sorry

    2
  10. Sleeping Dog Avatar
    Sleeping Dog

    @Jax:

    You’re in my thoughts and sending good vibes.

    2
  11. Gustopher Avatar
    Gustopher

    @Jax: That sounds awful — I hope you get some quality time in Oregon with the cows, for some definition of quality time (and cows, are the cows making the trip?)

    Also, rural Oregon might be able to set you up with Fentanyl if the doctors can’t…

    3
  12. steve222 Avatar
    steve222

    @Jax: Wish you well and hope you find help with the pain. Surprised that the oncologists have not been able to help. Have you tried hospice?

    Steve

    2
  13. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    @Jax:

    Hoping for the best.

    1
  14. Jax Avatar
    Jax

    @steve222: “Palliative care” in Utah can’t prescribe me anything because I’m a Wyoming resident. Oncologist in Utah was willing to prescribe me patches, but I can only get them in Utah, for 15 days at a time, and the patches wear out by the end of day 2. So I have to drive down there for a refill, which I am not capable of doing, the 4 hour trip down there for the chemo wipes me out.

    @Gustopher: Yeah, it’s funny but not funny I can probably get better pain pills on the black market, despite being a legitimate cancer patient in need.

    Fingers crossed I can make it through this next week, and get set up comfortably in Oregon. I’m still reading you all here regularly, I just often don’t have anything to add and want to sleep.

    8
  15. Gregory Lawrence Brown Avatar
    Gregory Lawrence Brown

    Sonny Rollins 95
    RIP

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