Many of you probably remember the TV show M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). The beloved show aired on CBS from 1972 to 1983.
In honor of Memorial Day, we thought we’d share this heartwarming clip from the old TV show with you. In it, Harry Morgan, “Colonel Sherman T. Potter,” toasts to his old war buddies who have since passed. His words will bring tears to your eyes.
This Memorial Day weekend, we think of those who have fallen during their service to our beautiful country. We are forever grateful to those courageous men and women.
Now watch the 4.5-minute clip, but make sure you have some tissues nearby. Perhaps a glass of whatever it is you drink is necessary, too, so you can toast to your old buddies with fond memories right alongside Colonel Potter.
I honor my father, Lt. Lyndon Lakeman, B-17 pilot who flew 35+ missions over Germany in WWII in addition to more reconnaissance missions over Germany in an unarmed British Mosquito. Additionally, he flew combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. He never spoke about what he saw during the wars, and never complained. I have a piece of flak that went through his B-17 cockpit and luckily didn’t injure anyone. I can’t imagine going into combat with almost nothing but thin sheet metal as protection from enemy fighters and ground gunners. His hand-written WWII combat mission notes are online at Lakeman (447bg.com).
Thank you for sharing that absolutely amazing online tribute to your father. In reading his mission notes, including from D-Day, his courage and his bravery shine brightly through.
The MASH video reminds me of the Doolittle Raiders last bottle. I believe it was consumed at the Air Force Museum (old name) at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH by the last two Doolittle survivors. The bottle and the mugs were on display at the museum, which I have seen. When a survivor died, his mug was turned over. I may not have recalled the story 100% accurately, however the MASH video was in the same context.
On a planetary scale, NO country has done more for the freedom of other nations than America. No people have paid a price of blood more freely and willingly than multiple generations of Americans have so that others may be free. Not for gold, not for silver and not for territory, but for an idea that all people have a natural yearning for freedom. Freedoms we ourselves often take for granted. Today, I toast my freedom from King George’s tyranny that was paid with rivers of blood. I toast every soul lost since then, for the maintenance of the freedom I enjoy. Two and a half centuries and multiple wars since, the only plunder remains to be freedom, through the emergence of hundreds of young democracies. No gold, no silver, no territory. Uniquely American.
to those that served and did not return to enjoy this great country.
I drink to my good friend, First Lieutenant, Thomas P. Mc, who passed September 30, 2022 after living 52 years after being wounded and paralyzed in November 1972 in Vietnam. Tom was awarded 3 purple hearts and 2 silver stars for his gallantry in saving four of the men in his platoon. He never complained, lived his life with grace, humility, and generosity. I loved that man and miss his infectious smile.
Semper Fi to all my brothers…RIP
To all of the veterans: thank you for your service to our country. God bless you all.
As a now old sergeant from Vietnam during and after Tet 1968, I indeed shed more than a few tears at this video.
Tomorrow might never come, but right now is a sure thing.
I’ve seen this episode multiple times and it brings tears every single time…
I salute my fallen Soldiers I served with in the Mekong Delta Jungle of South Vietnam. A solemn memory, I will remember vividly until I die. We had a 2 day battle, July 3rd thru July 4th 1969, in the Plain of Reeds, on a recon mission on Viet Cong Company. Instead, the 20 of us ran into a North Vietnam Regular Uniformed Battalion of approx 500! We were ambushed in most vicious battle in our war time. I was a Special Forces Combat Medic attached to this 9th Infantry Unit, Delta Company of the 2nd/60th Infantry. Several soldiers were wounded & we were both fighting the enemy and working to rescue our casualties. I saved several, but were 5 killed total. During the battle, we medivac’d (brave helicopter pilots & crews!) out, and continued to battle, as support units began to arrive. In the end, over 300 of the NVA were killed, the rest fled. I thank God for those I saved, yet I always regret the soldiers I could not save, War is hell, we are blessed to honor those we lost!🙏�
We salute you, Brian, and other veterans, and thank you for your service. And we remember and honor (today and every day), and will be forever grateful to those who gave their all protecting our great country and our freedoms. Thank you, all. 🙂 –Diane
WELL DONE! You made me think of my times of conflict. Many of my shipmates died during the COLD WAR. The ones that did a job and never got the parade. They were hero’s also. Thousands of hours spent in crazy dangerous airspace or underwater within country limits , preventing the next war. We live with the worst injuries….every night.
To my brothers and sisters nobody noticed. I remember you on this day.
To my family, all whom served our country. I miss them intensely.
My father, Gene who survived the sinking of his carrier the U.S.S. Block Island on May 29th 1944 as they sailed north in support of the Normandy D-Day Landing. He suffered the rest of his life due to injuries incurred from that sinking. Many years later my daughter was born on the same day. My father would tell her that they both had something to celebrate, her birthday and his survival.
My brother who served in the ONI and retired with the rank of E-9. Due to his exposure at various highly sensitive events including Vietnam during his service, he is now in the National Cemetery.
My brother-in-law, who served three tours in Vietnam providing Medical Aid as an anesthesiologist. He retired as a lieutenant colonel and as a result of repeated agent orange exposures, he succumbed and is in the national cemetery. My sister is with him due to a broken heart.
To the 58428 names inscribed on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall we drink to you this year and every year.
Hear, hear! Thank you for your service, LCDR Foster. My son, now living next door to me, is (and always will be) a Marine. He was in the second tank to go into Iraq. I almost-constantly watched Martin Savidge, CNN, who was embedded with his unit. I saw my son in the background behind Savidge one day. I’m pretty sure he was the only 6’8″ tall person in the whole country, so he was easy to spot! Thank you, again. Take care. 😀 –Diane (very proud Marine mom)
To my dad and father-in-law (WWII), and Great father-in-law (WWI), and to too many friends.
Beautiful, well done and touching!!!
Thank you for remembering what Memorial day is really all about! Also thank you to the commenters noted below. Show additional respect by lowering Old Glory to half staff from sunrise to 1200 noon on Monday 30 May 2022; and attend a remembrance service.
To my Uncle Stu who served as a marine in the Pacific theater; he never told war stories but was everything masculine to this little girl buried inside a seventy year old body. I am grateful for his sacrifices which included suffering from PTSD before it was a diagnosis and still being functional as a provider. We don’t need more guns- we need more heroes who have served.
Without the guns this Memorial Day would be remembering those who were slaughtered instead of dying like heroes. Trying not to politicize today just saying without guns we will be slaughtered like sheep instead of fighting for what we believe in. Guns don’t kill, people kill using guns, a tool.
Yep….tears are flowing now and will be flowing harder on Monday when I visit the local cemetery to place flowers on my childhood friend’s grave. He “gave it all” after being being sent to VietNam in 1966.
(PS I wish we still had the quality of actors and tv programs like M.A.S.H.)
Well, you were right; tears were flowing by the conclusion of the clip. Thank you!
Thank you for this; it means a lot. I’ve got 70+ year old buddies of 45+ years, and I feel the same way. M.