Memorial Day

[OLD GUY IN FLORIDA]

In situations like that, I try to remember to consider what the dead would think - in this case, how the fallen Service members would feel about it. I tend to believe that they would be good with everybody's grave being decorated, and everyone's loved ones remembered. I'd like to think that the dead are not jealous, vain or easily offended.

It's true, though, about "veterans" being included in so much of the speechifying and "advertisements" for Memorial Day. I suspect that a lot of veterans are at least a little embarrassed by it. I know I am.

In the U.S., what used to be Armistice Day, November 11th, a day for remembering our war dead, of course became Veteran's Day. In Great Britain that didn't happen, and they haven't lost sight of what the holiday is supposed to be about. They still observe two minutes of silence at the 11th minute of the 11th hour, and the Sunday closest to the date is Remembrance Sunday. They have what they call Armed Forces Day in late June, where both veterans and active duty Service personnel are honored.

I am a Vietnam combat veteran. I went, did my duty and came home, mostly in one piece (no one who has seen war first hand returns unscathed). I do not like to be called a hero. It cheapens those who were true heroes and went above and beyond the call of duty. Sadly, that was not me.

[Cletus]

I’ve got a pet peeve about Memorial Day.As was stated in the OP it is for those who gave all in defense of country. To honor our war dead.
In my neck of the woods people use Memorial Day to decorate all of the their dead relatives graves No matter if they served or not. I understand wanting to honor loved ones who’ve passed on.Just do it any other time.

I see no problem with people wanting to memorialize their dead on Memorial Day, whether they served or not.

The holiday isn't for the dead. They no longer care. It is for the living. Someone taking the day to remember someone, a parent, sibling, friend, relative or total stranger who did not die in the service of the nation takes nothing away from those who did.

[NoisyBoy]

I see no problem with people wanting to memorialize their dead on Memorial Day, whether they served or not.

The holiday isn't for the dead. They no longer care. It is for the living. Someone taking the day to remember someone, a parent, sibling, friend, relative or total stranger who did not die in the service of the nation takes nothing away from those who did.

I said it was my pet peeve. You are right the dead no nothing. As far as to what Standing Wolf said , how can you know what those who have passed would think? A little projection there perhaps.
Anyhow, I do think it does take away from those who the day was meant to commorate.Otherwise why establish the day to begin with?
But hey that's just me and my take on things.
Peace.

[FindersKeepers]

I intend to celebrate the day by eating hamburgers made from American raised beef.
Lets see, my father was a soldier in the South Pacific where he was wounded, I was a sailor in Vietnam, one brother was a soldier in Vietnam, one brother was a soldier in South Korea (peace time) and one brother was a Marine who was stationed in Memphis TN. I am from a family of the warrior class and damn proud of it.

The greatest sight in the world is “To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!”

Ima eat a veggie burger in your honor.

Seriously though, it's a good opportunity to honor all who have served our nation in a military capacity. My dad drove a tank in the 2nd Armored Division, Hell on Wheels.

Thank you and your family for your service and dedication.

[zelmo1234]

I will be laying a Wreath at the graves of my Great Uncle and His Son WWII and Korea. There are a lot of people that went off to fight for our freedom and did not come back.

In there Memory when you wake on Monday, before you even move just give them a moment of Thanks They went with out asking why and gave their life, so you could live yours.

[Standing Wolf]

My late father-in-law's military shadow box hangs in the hallway, and I look at it every day. It contains a couple of WWII campaign medals, Marine Good Conduct and Victory medals, and the Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered on the island of Saipan, after surviving the hell of Tarawa.

[MisterVeritis]

My late father-in-law's military shadow box hangs in the hallway, and I look at it every day. It contains a couple of WWII campaign medals, Marine Good Conduct and Victory medals, and the Purple Heart for the wounds he suffered on the island of Saipan, after surviving the hell of Tarawa.

My father fought in the Pacific in WWII, then fought in Korea where he was wounded, and finally in Vietnam near the end of his career.

[Standing Wolf]

My father fought in the Pacific in WWII, then fought in Korea where he was wounded, and finally in Vietnam near the end of his career.

People sometimes forget that from the end of World War II to the beginning of our involvement in Vietnam was a span of only twenty years.

[MisterVeritis]

People sometimes forget that from the end of World War II to the beginning of our involvement in Vietnam was a span of only twenty years.

Yes. My father was a very young man during WWII. I saw a photo of him on the deck of a ship. He looked very, very young.