Memorial Day is not a "Happy" holiday

[Royd]

Solemnity is something that can only be achieved in the heart of an individual. For the rest, we can stand with our hat in our hands, for a moment of silience, and if we are lucky, a thought about why we are doing what we are doing, before we get back to the BBQ and beer.

 

[Poupoulles]

Solemnity is something that can only be achieved in the heart of an individual. For the rest, we can stand with our hat in our hands, for a moment of silience, and if we are lucky, a thought about why we are doing what we are doing, before we get back to the BBQ and beer.

word.

Maybe its all just too close still, even almost ten years on. I am exasperated by our short attention spans. We seem to move on and burn our bridges so fast! Its hard to convince my civilian friends to take just a moment and pause.

Maybe as a people we are too uncomfortable with grief and mourning. We seem to focus on getting on with it, getting over it, moving forward. So while I celebrate their lives every day by trying to earn the life they gave me- I try and express to people that its ok to take one day and admit that its sad that our friends are dead, that no amount of flag waving will bring them back to their families. Its ok to say that it sucks that their kids lost their dad, without passing any political judgments or picking sides.
We have these holidays so we don't have to multitask our gratitude. Its ok to spend one day JUST thinking about the dead and how fun it would be if they were drinking with us. The dead don't need to share their day with all us fat old veterans.

Anyway, I am getting too philosophical- thanks for listening!!!
Let's raise our glasses and flip our burgers since no one loves beer and BBQ like someone who ate MRE's for months and months!

 

[Royd]

I noticed, for the first time, last Dec.7th, there was no mention of Pearl Harbor. It's as if the media has determined that it's old hat, now that the few remaining survivors are passing away.

Same with 9/11. They have been quick to sweep that one under the rug.

 

[FarmerJamie]

I noticed, for the first time, last Dec.7th, there was no mention of Pearl Harbor. It's as if the media has determined that it's old hat, now that the few remaining survivors are passing away.

Same with 9/11. They have been quick to sweep that one under the rug.

I hear you, Royd. On the positive side, over 200 Young Marines http://www.youngmarines.com from all over the country participated in the ceremonies last December.

Unfortunately, we found out the Pearl Harbor Survivor's Veteran Group is being disbanded. It will be interesting what is done for the 75th anniversary.

 

[dainerra]

there were many events covered on the media here for Pearl Harbor as well as 9/11.

 

[Spookwriter]

Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Two different days, two different things.

To honor and respect our Veterans--both living and dead-- is something
we should do on a daily basis. It seems like so many people just want
to complain about America anymore. But it's a great place to live in and
be a part of.

But this freedom that we take so much for granted, came with a price
beyond money. To the veterans who fought and died to protect America,
we owe a debt we can never repay. Everything they had, they put it on
the line. What a price they paid for your freedom.

And to the many veterans who served this great nation and came home
safely, to them also do we owe so much.

For me, our family has a private cemetery. There, we've buried both veterans
and non veterans alike. A place we all take pretty good care of. It's mowed,
graveled. Shelter house stays painted. Bushes nice and trimmed.

Memorial Day will see a few fresh flowers scattered about the graves as we,
as a family, remember and honor those already gone. Some were veterans.

All were family.

Spook


*** Our family cemetery goes back a few years. My dad's great-great grand
parents are buried there. Right down to my own brother and a sister. Maybe
to most people it doesn't mean much, but it's pretty cool to me. Not far from
my home. It stays ready.

On my mothers side, a coal company came in. Bought up all the land including
the cemetery where a lot of her family was buried. You can't just visit it anymore.
You need a pass. A company guard escorts you. No flowers allowed.

Been there. Don't like it.

 

[Spookwriter]

EweSheep:

In December 2000, Congress passed the National Moment
of Remembrance resolution requesting all Americans stop
what they are doing at precisely 3 p.m. on Memorial Day
and observe a moment of silence.

 

[Capvin]

I hope that this does not offend anyone because it is not meant to be that way. But at 3PM tomorrow I will bitterly think back some 43 years to DaNang and Chulai and remember a few friends who lost their lives for nothing. I came back whole and unscared but will always remember that useless war and can only hope against all reasonable hope that our imbecile politicians will stop sending young men into useless and meaningless wars.

 

[Poupoulles]

Capvin, i don't care if anyone is offended. It's your war, brother. You get to say whatever you want about it.

 

[EweSheep]

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.
Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.
Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.
Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.
While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.