MEMORIAL DAY: A PRAYER OF THANKS FOR THOSE WHO PAID ‘THE ULTIMATE PRICE’
BY DAN VALENTI
PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY
(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND MAY 22-4, 2026) — It seems impossible, after having celebrated Christmas just last week, that we should find ourselves at Memorial Day Weekend. In another month, half the year will be gone.
Nonetheless, here we are, with the Berkshires poised for another influx of that peculiar species known as “tourists.” We put those nasty-but-necessary pests out of mind, though, to focus on what’s important.
This weekend, THE PLANET shall read the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Gettysburg Address. Yeah, we actually take time for “memorial,” not just of our veterans over the course of 250 years but of family members who fought and served.
First among these equals is our father, Gino, who, although he had an exemption as a vital worker, enlisted in the Army in 1944. On his birthday in the first days of January 1945, he found himself in the snow and cold of Belgium, the Elsenborn Ridge, then Germany as a member of an infantry rifle squad–394th Battalion, 99th Infantry Division, the “Checkerboard” outfit whose insignia bore near-identical resemblance to the logo of Pittsfield, MA.
PFC Gino Valenti, 99th Infantry Division, Paris, France, 1945.
Many are the things he experienced in the legendary Battle of the Bulge, and unforgettable were the life lessons he learned, most of them the hard way. He returned home in May 1946, established a beachhead in the Berkshires, and raised a family of three boys with his wife, Virginia. Gino wasn’t one to show off his medals or citations. Rather, he was one of those quiet, consistent, supremely intelligent people who played the often-tough game of life like a chess grandmaster, always many moves ahead of the competition.
He gave all, welcomed all, forgave all, and knew when crossed how to meet corruption and wrongdoing with an honest righteousness that blazed like the sun and absolutely melted the opposition.
He was what the priests at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish used to say about St. Joseph, Jesus’ dad: “He was a good man.”
THE PLANET learned our way through life from the lessons given by Gino and Virginia, and these many years later, we give thanks for memory, root word of “memorial,” that conceptual repository wherein reside, still living, all the seconds, minutes, and hours we have spent on God’s good earth. They all live: parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, relatives, friends, classmates, teammates, teachers, friends, enemies, pets, good times, bad times, and the quanta of existence’s every aspect.
To all who died in war for their cause, on every side of battle, THE PLANET says Godspeed.
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“Courage: Acting despite the presence of fear” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.
“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”
LOVE TO ALL.
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Dan
Your Dad was indeed a good man, voluntarily joining the Battle Babies,in their attack and victory over an evil fanatical tyranny..
Thoughts on what your dads opinion,of America’s current, battle against the latest fanatical tyranny?
Would he advise,allowing the fanatics to become increasingly dangerous?
Support our present intelligently managed, casualty limiting engagement?
The Greatest Generation, enjoyed the Patriotism, now being destroyed by teachers unions,demonrat politicians and fellow elitist Subversives.
Memorial day is just a day off,for them
America went through rationing of gasoline and food during WW2, and the critics whine,like petulant children,over price increases.
The office of price administration, limited tires, automobiles ,food and gasoline.
Did your folks have any of the coupon books, with red,white and blue stamps, required to purchase food,sugar and fuel respectively?
Perhaps America needs to be educated, on real history of our nation, and realize how blessed they are to live in the greatest nation on earth, because of the real suffering of our forefathers and mothers.
Seems a very small price to pay, to make the world safer.
Happy Memorial Day, as we reflect on Patriots lost.
Thanks for sharing, some of your families history of sacrifice.
5)21)26@5:30an
Tom
Thank you for using your forum to acknowledge those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of this country during the far too numerous military conflicts throughout this great country’s history. Like your father, my father, a native of Pittsfield, also enlisted in the Army in 1944. He was 38 years old at the time of his enlistment. As an Army veteran myself, I can assure you that at the age of 38, you are not considered a prime candidate for military service. But he, like thousands of other men and women answered the call. He served in Patton’s Third Army in France, Belgium, across the Rhine into Germany and ultimately was in Czechoslovakia at the end of hostilities. He unfortunately passed away when I was five years old, so I never had the opportunity to personally engage him with respect to his experiences. I am sure however that like most of those who served, he would have had little to say other than he was doing his duty. This weekend is a time for the people of this country to remember those who never returned from the military conflicts that occurred over the course of our history. I fear that the essence of the meaning of this holiday is lost during the barbeques and the informal beginning of summer. I would encourage all to take just a moment during this weekend to think of the men and women gave their very lives in the defense of this great country. It is because of their ultimate sacrifice that we are afforded the privilege to enjoy the fruits of what this nation offers to its citizens.
Battle of the Bulge?
So many thanks to our brave soldiers then and now. Thank you to all those trying to protect our country including ICE.
Thanks to your father and all those who served our country.
Thanks to all vets for everything they did or will ever do.
Hopefully it will not turn out to have been in vain, and we lose everything we and they ever fought for. Too much blood and sorrow and their heroic deeds need not be lost to a hostile takeover.
So true. After WWII, America fought to a draw in Korea, lost in Vietnam, won the Cold War, is losing the “war on terrorism.” We can take countries like Nicaragua and Venezuela with no sweat. The Biggies? There would be no winning for anybody.
Dan
Losing? to who?
Which terrorist is winning?
Cuba and Greenland, will be Territories prior to 2028 election cycle.
Iran will submit, and the native populous will gain lost freedom and prosperity.
The negotiators will surrender or die, Japan took a bit of convincing, but got the message.
The Biggies?
Recent History proves;
China’s weaponry failed in Venezuela, and will fair no better in defending themselves, or its allies.
China has no naval experience with their substandard 3 carrier navy, against Americas 11 carriers with 104 years of experience.
Putin can’t even defeat the Ukraine, never mind defend against American hostility.
Lets be realistic…. no one is even a close competitor! and they now it.
5/22/26@1pm
Tom
Certainly, it is not possible to win with a Congress and media singing to the enemy.
Vietnam, despite the adversity of home Americans, any number of whom did not belong here at all, was a land where, 1 foot forward & 1 meter up and rainforest, was no place for us to fight an entrenched bunkered army.
It is hot as hell in Iran right now. Picture American ground troops if they could even get ashore, carrying everything they might need to go into battle, trying to get enough water and resupply themselves in a huge mountainous country of 92 million people with many of the civilians armed to the teeth. Picture thousands of sniper sites dug into those mountains. Picture hundreds of drones targeting them as they try to get off their ship, plane or troop carriers. Any land vehicle will be taken out within minutes.
Keep in mind that Iran now has or has use of the same eye in the sky satellite technology as do the Americans. They can see everything, every tank, every plane, every ship and every man as soon as it crosses their border and they can target them spontaneously.
Agree – never underestimate your enemy.
But the Congress and the media are playing games.
Agree.Didn’t we learn anything from Afghanistan?
That’s way they used Napalm. Dummy.
You minimize the dauting challenge of fighting in a mountainou rainfoest?
Not going to work where they could place where and when they needed it.
Chaz
The Draft rightly upset Americans.
Vietnam wasn’t a threat to the world.
If CIA hadn’t perpetrated a coup , the war wouldn’t have happened.
Same mistake in Ukraine, Iran…
2/27/26@12:30pm
Tom
Yup, going after Cuba now. The American defense contractors are raking it in, and I am sure giving appropriate kickbacks where needed. The president who vowed no new wars can’t start them fast enough. Ask yourself why.
Exactly. Trump would love to put a hotel there or make it another Epstein Island. Just sayin…….
Trumps kids and Jared the Israeli broker for the Middle East we’re over there to get the Putin model of making real money. Putin is the richest man in the world.You do know that MAGA ? Don’t you?
Mean
Hostile take over?
Iran has been chanting “Death to America” for 47 years, and killing our citizens since.
Defending American citizens is and should be our Governments 1st priority.
Perhaps just be Thankful.
By your delusion, our attacks on Japan after Pearl Harbor was a take over,
your very confused.
2/22/26@1:15pm
Tom
jd Vance is really cute there I said it.
Meanwhile, my vet dad was also awarded Purple Heart for WWII europe front service, and would be agast at America’s current battle against the latest POTUS fanatical tyranny mentioned by Tom and that we are not allowed the privilege to enjoy the fruits of what this nation offers to its citizens as writes Berkshire17. I’m afraid it was all in vane and there heroic deeds will be lost to a hostile takeover as you say. The American experiment in democracy is a failure because there is no check on the authoritarian Trump to bomb people, take our $$ and weaponize the DOJ and do insider stock trading for his friends and family.
And he is not done yet. It will have been easier to put Humpty Dumpty back together than to repair what will be left of America by this Christmas. And absolute economic disaster perhaps surpassing the 1929 freefall.
Some are in denial. Some are just clueless due to their indoctrination. And some of us can clearly see it coming but are helpless to stop it. It seems so bizarre that it seems to be other worldly. Not real. All democratic checks and balances failing.
When did you develop such a hatred towards the USA?
When TDS has you siding with Iran over America, your post about Veterans above rings hollow.
Is it time for your 43rd COVID Booster yet? Scheduled to get sheared? Your coat is getting thick.
Why did you allow trump to put your brain in his frying pan?
Do we need to go over the long list of the insane agenda that the Progressive Democrats (which is most of them now) have used to destroy this country? Everything from encouraging young people to believe they are trapped in the wrong gender to attacking our police and opening our country to endless waves of unvetted illegal immigrants. Not to mention all of the silencing they enforced during the Biden years. No, Biden is perfectly capable of leading our country and anyone who said we had inflation during the Biden administration was full of it. The media was completely all in on the lies of the Democrat politicians. Biden needs the approval of Congress to close the borders the Democrats lied to us. There’s nothing wrong with small children going to Drag Queen Story Hour. The schools have the right to indoctrinate the youth as much as they want and give them days off to protest Trump with the blessing of the school teachers and administrators. If they get violent, it’s all for the cause. Just recently schools encouraged a day off so the young people could take to the streets to protest for some far left cause. Who cares about actual learning in the schools? They don’t because the youth can’t be taught critical thinking skills because that would be the end of the Democrat agenda.
Why did you allow trump to put your brain in his frying pan right next to what is left of Markus’s?
Your nuts. Trumps making billions with his silly family. And apparently m a g a is ok with it as long as the rest of the non elite don’t get their bag.
Just because Weed is legal, doesn’t mean you should smoke it every day. Put down the pipe.
We all should give thanks to your father and his generation for their battles for freedom. We have the country we have because of him. I always remember my Dad who was born on May 30 and served in the Army Air Corp in India during the war. His best friend was Eddie Sadlowski. They grew up next to each other on Danforth Ave. Eddie died on the Oklahoma during the attack on Pearl Harbor. There is a gravestone for him in Memorial Park. Eddie had tried to get Dad to join the Navy with him in 1940.
Thanks, CHUCK. We were both so blessed to have fathers made of such good stuff.
Thank you for your Dads Service Dan. Old School. Did he or your Mom encourage the music and writing part of your and Mick’s upbringings ?
Yes. Mom and dad supported him fully, and not just because Mick found success early. They simply believed in him, as they did me and my oldest brother. Thanks for the kind words about my dad.
I’ll show you a photo someday it’s a friend of mine he’s the spitting image of your Father in uniform. Both look like the actor James Caan.
I’d love to see it.
Dan, thank you for letting people post their remembrances and to honor their families’ veterans FOR FREE. One of the local media outlets is charging up to $65 for a short few lines for people to do so.
WTF already. Don’t even know what category of greed this falls into
GIMMEE
You’re welcome and thank YOU so much for the recognition and appreciation. I would never even think of charging for that. In fact, I have resisted all attempts to monetize THE PLANET, except for a few years when we took ads. That is the only way, in and for ANY medium, to remain UNBOUGHT and UNBOSSED. And THE PLANET shall remain free for the rest of its existence.
Get rid of the Trump nonsense and it would be the best blog. People are sick of him.
It’s funny, isn’t it? My column for this Memorial Day weekend did not mention the president at all. It you who brought him up. I simply wanted a tribute for the fallen. Think about it.
Don’t talk about the occasion. My dad was in deep fire and had three brothers in viet nam.Are you Serious ? The trump idiots on here are always talking about trump as trump does,even on sacred holy days?
Try making these clowns you have on here obey your rules also. Making us look like the bad guys because we change the narrative is the rule now? Then you should shut down your blog,what a joke.
And aren’t you like a child on here giving Jon thumbs down bot everytime he posts?
I actually encourage JON, who is a good friend.
Thank you
You got it, JM!
Trumpified; A term for the manipulation involved in factual information,alternate fact or statement which has been misused or misrepresented.
Yes. See also, Bushified, Obamafied, and Bidenified.
Maybe Dan as a wordsmith can translate the definition to you knuckleheads.
Exactly. He’s done more harm than good. The sis disabled is still getting their money as well as food stampers. But his billionaire buddies including himself are double their income. How long Dan do you think this is going to last. I smell a revolution nit unlike the insurrection a couple years ago. The brothers don’t like it and the indigent are not going to stand for it.
Tou say if we disagree with trump we have t d s ? trump said gas prices would plummet and the Ukraine war would end with four weeks? on his war in Iran? Which he started? I’m done with this tasteless blog. Whoever heard of a President that lies on every other question asked of him anyway.
To J Mel although I think your a fruitcake keep fighting the fight on here. The thumbs down is from Dan. Right now your 50 – 50 on most your comments.
Your problem is your just like the Orange agents on here.Repetitve Narrative,day in day out. I’ll leave you guys with this. Have fun paying for your gas prices this summer. And of course have fun paying your tax increases in here as well as higher electric and water rates. Bitchfield Sucks. And Lumpy you are a rolling eyed phony.
Why do democRATS always feel the need to announce to the world they are quitting something?
“I’m done with this tasteless blog.”
As Motley Crue sings about, “Don’t go away mad, just go away.”
Good luck “saving the country,” VendettaGPT.
We’ll miss you…..well, actually we won’t.
Your problem is ? Your going nowhere. You’ve been Trumpafied. Trump really is stupid you know.
Why does trump say, every Thursday or Friday, that his war in Iran is over? And then on Tuesday we find out it was one more of his shorting the stock market scams. He has been doing this every week for two months raking in the money as the market drops and rises and is buying and selling.
How much money is he making with his oil company investments as much of the world now has to buy American oil?
How much is he and his family making on their defense contractor investments? Why in the world would this guy ever want this war to end when he is printing money 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 30 days every month and lord only knows if it will be another forever war going on for a decade or two.
Is he reporting the one billion dollars made on his hat and other merchandise sales as income on his tax returns? Oops, forgot he does not file income taxes. Kings don’t be doin dat stuff!!!
Not accepting any thumbs down. Don’t even try it. It will not work.
In human history, no war has ever ended this many times!
It is just coming out now that the U.S.
. has lost 43 aircraft including 25 thirty million-dollar (each) Reaper drones. Many of them in the first two weeks. Eventually a more accurate human casualty report will leak out and Americans will be blown away by the deceit they have been given.
Like it or not, America has been humiliated on the battlefield. Trump and the fox news reporter who morphed into the Secretary of Defense(war) got rid of many of the top Generals and military analysts that were telling them invading Iran was a bad, bad stupid idea but they went ahead anyway and as predicted it turned out bad. Really bad.
Sometimes the truth is hard to accept but this is what has happened in the real world. Of course, there has been and continues to be a major whitewashing effort but there are independent news sources, many outside of America, who are telling it like it is. But if your brain has been in trumps frying pan you will only see fog and hear what sounds like someone revving a motorcycle engine droning in the distance. So you will remain clueless and helpless.
Go back to Rome and drink your. wine
Dan, your dad looks great in that photo. May he rest in peace. I just finished a book called The Choice by Edith Eva Egar. She was a concentration camp survivor rescued by an American GI as they liberated the camps. She was 98 when she died a couple weeks ago. Tons of life lessons in that book. God Bless America and all veterans. May we always remember the true reason for Memorial Day, and never forget the supreme sacrifice the service members made so we can be free. I am glad your dad made it back.
Thanks, T&S. My dad is still the finest human being I have ever known.