Just wanted to thank all of you who have served in the military. We live in a great country and it would not be possible if not for those that willingly give their lives for our freedom. So a BIG thank you.
Thanks for serving your country!
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These are the guys that Memorial Day is all about that I knew.
http://www.243rdfreighttrain.org/MemorialPage.html
http://www.243rdfreighttrain.org/MemorialPage.html
I appreciate your sentiment (30+ years in the Navy for me)...but let's keep in mind that all those of us who are military veterans and are lucky enough to be here to tell about it have our day in November. Memorial Day in May is set aside for folks to remember and honor all those who never made it back home.
And very sadly there are many, far too many that did not make it back home. It's good to take a day to pause and reflect on this. But it should happen much more than once a year. Maybe we would be a lot more cautious putting our youth in harm's way with more reflection on the consequences.
Memorial Day is for the remembrance of TRUE military heroes. Fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from dawn until noon. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all...Honor the service & the memories of those with a moment of silence on Monday 26 May 2014 at 1500hrs. Visit cemeteries and memorials, to honor those who have died in military service, & place flags honorably on gravesites. May they ALL rest in Eternal, Honored Glory...
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Osagebndr
Minister of Fire
I was just in DC visiting the WWll memorial with the honor flight program. Very moving seeing the old WWll veterans being honored by many. My father never saw so much brass in person. He was a rock star for a day! He personally spoke to a 1 star marine general, a 2 star air force general, and a 3 star army general. The marine general wanted his picture taken with my father to use as an inspiration for his own 98 yo father.
As a Patriot Guard Rider, I've escorted at least 20 of the Honor Flights since 2008. If you were to be there when those 90 year olds left & then returned to the airport to welcome them back as 18 year olds, it is TRULY a sight to behold. They really ARE the GREATEST GENERATION.
cwitham
Member
Thank you to those that have or are serving from me and my family.
We saw a WWII vet today and we made sure to tell him and the other vets we saw thank you. My kids jumped at the chance to thank the WWII vet, they know how few are left.
We saw a WWII vet today and we made sure to tell him and the other vets we saw thank you. My kids jumped at the chance to thank the WWII vet, they know how few are left.
My post on social media elsewhere-
Sorry for a rare moment of seriousness, but now that the day is passed, I'd like to discuss Memorial Day.
This is not a day meant to honor all those in uniform (that's Veteran's Day), but to remember those that died in uniform. I was never in the military, but am curious what others think about this day that is meant to be a sober reflection, rather than a party and parade.
Many even offer a "Happy Memorial Day"- does that subvert the real meaning? One would never wish someone a happy day on the anniversary of a loved one's death.
On a similar note, I do understand the laying of wreaths and flags; the original name "Decoration Day" referred to these traditions after the Civil War (when the death numbers on both sides staggered the conscience). The flag is raised to half staff to grieve the fallen, then raised to full after noon to demonstrate our resilience and commitment. As neither a veteran, nor a person of faith, I spent some of the day instead contemplating what is the best way to honor the memory and sacrifice of the ones that we've lost. Understand and exercise the liberties that were defended. Make sure that we don't abandon those that return with new struggles. Maybe most importantly- understand the value of those military lives and be very judicious about risking them.
Sorry for a rare moment of seriousness, but now that the day is passed, I'd like to discuss Memorial Day.
This is not a day meant to honor all those in uniform (that's Veteran's Day), but to remember those that died in uniform. I was never in the military, but am curious what others think about this day that is meant to be a sober reflection, rather than a party and parade.
Many even offer a "Happy Memorial Day"- does that subvert the real meaning? One would never wish someone a happy day on the anniversary of a loved one's death.
On a similar note, I do understand the laying of wreaths and flags; the original name "Decoration Day" referred to these traditions after the Civil War (when the death numbers on both sides staggered the conscience). The flag is raised to half staff to grieve the fallen, then raised to full after noon to demonstrate our resilience and commitment. As neither a veteran, nor a person of faith, I spent some of the day instead contemplating what is the best way to honor the memory and sacrifice of the ones that we've lost. Understand and exercise the liberties that were defended. Make sure that we don't abandon those that return with new struggles. Maybe most importantly- understand the value of those military lives and be very judicious about risking them.
While I do agree that Memorial Day has become too commercialized, I think that there is a place for thanking the ones who served. I talked to my 3 and 5 year old boys at dinner about the sacrifices that "soldiers" make and that they don't always come home. We talked about the ones that go to heaven instead. I wanted the post to reflect my heartfelt thanks to all those who have served. I don't want to wait until they are no longer here to thank them. Each of us reflects and memorializes death differently. The friends of mine who have been lost fighting in Afghanistan would want nothing less than a party on "their" day. Saturday night after the kids had gone to bed, I sat by the fire pit and had a beer for them..... thanking them my way.
one could look at it this way, by gathering as family and friends on memorial day, does it not honor those who gave all to "celebrate" in a thoroughly American way, having a cookout?
not a day for fireworks and such, but in a way turning it into a happy occasion spent with family and friends IMHO does honor the fallen in a way. we had a small cookout last Monday evening just the 3 of us, we usually do. ate out on the deck at a table with 4 plates. as we usually do on Memorial day. my grandparents used to do this as one of my uncles died in Vietnam.
my own personal tribute for both Memorial day and Veterans day is to don my dog tags. have done it every year 21 in a row now, since I left the service. they stay under my shirt for the most part unless im asked about them , i'll pull them out then and simply explain , I wear them every year on the memorial day weekend and veterans day and leave it at that. one of my dearest friends Bob Holmes (a Korean war vet) decided to dig his out last year when he noticed mine on the golf course (fell outta my shirt on the practice green) I don't think he's taken his off since.
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