Memorial Day thoughts.

[JB]

We honor (or should honor) all those who have worn, or wear, the uniforms of our military every day, whether they went in harm's way or not. That is a great improvement over what happened to many of my generation during and after Korea and Viet Nam. I may never forgive the treatment those brave young men got.

During the year we set aside several days to focus attention on, and honor, particular groups of the above honored people. Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, Armed Forces Day come to mind.

Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring our war dead. It takes nothing away from Veterans like me to do so on this day. It takes nothing away from the brave young patriots who stand on the wall in defense of our ideals today.

It is a day of meditation for me. I come from the depression generation. We sent our fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters and friends to war in Europe and the Pacific. We went to war Korea and to Viet Nam. Then we sent our sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Along the way we lost many who were, and are, part of who we have become.

Almost every day another family and circle of friends joins us among the bereaved.

Please take a few moments out of celebration and recreation today to meditate on these great patriots who lay their lives down on our behalf. And be thankful.

 

[kend301]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

Amen !

 

[DJ]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

Thanks JB. Spot on.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

I spent yesterday watching just about every show that the History Channel had. It was WWII in HD. Lots of footage that was just found 2 years ago. Many times I was in awe with tears in my eyes. I learned a lot from watching those shows. I have more respect than ever for our elder Veterans. God bless them for giving us the freedom that we have today.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

Very well said JB

 

[brianvolt7]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

Nicely done!

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

A-men !!!!!!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring our war dead. ... And be thankful.

I do, and I am relieved that I do not know any of the war dead personally, as my dad is an Army vet (1964-1966!) and my brother-in-law is active duty Navy. I am so very grateful that I get to honor them on November 11th every year and not today. I grieve for any and all who do have a friend/relative/loved one that they have to honor on Memorial Day. All I can say is I am sad they died for us, but I am glad they served!

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

I had friends not come back from Viet Nam but my Dad who was in WW11 told a few stories. One was when they were selecting a group to go out on a dangerous patrol and this young soldier who was new started crying in fear. My Dad who had more experience felt sorry for the young boy and volunteered to go in his place , A short time later right before they were to leave my Dads captain called him into his tent and said." I know you volunteered, but you arent going" Neither my Dad or the other soldier had to go on this patrol, When the patrol came back there were only several of them left who didnt get killed. true story, Another time another green soldier was with my Dad and a snipers bullet went by them , My Dad told the guy to "keep his head down,the Germans were close by" The young man suddenly jumped up to look and asked "where"? as he got his head blown off..My Dad came home thank GOD.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

JB: "It takes nothing away from the brave young patriots who stand on the wall in defense of our ideals today."

EDIT

BTW, there was no Memorial Day until the north took the cue from the Confederate widows.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

So many ordinary men and women performing so many extraordinary acts.
Hats off to our southern neighbours for creating the tradition of Memorial Day.
We have Remembrance Day Nov.11...but with a more sombre and subdued tone.
Memorial Day has always struck me as a more upbeat and celebratory occasion...yet still reverent and respectful.

I think those who are being "memorialized" would like that.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Memorial Day thoughts.

Please take a few moments out of celebration and recreation today to meditate on these great patriots who lay their lives down on our behalf. And be thankful.

I attended a very moving 144th Memorial Day Ceremony yesterday at our historic cemetary. Many Civil War graves. A special military ceremony was done by Company C of The 31st Illinois Voluntary Infantry dressed in period uniforms. They did a 21 gun salute using Civil War era muskets. The keynote address was given by the director of the General John A. Logan museum which is located nearby. General Logan and family lived in my town for a few years during the civil war. In case you didn't know Gen. Logan gave the declaration in 1868 declaring May 30th to be the official nation wide Memorial Day.