“Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.”
Accordingly one observes, not celebrates, Memorial Day and there’s nothing “happy” about it. Debbie Lee, a Gold Star Mother whose son was a Navy SEAL killed in Iraq in 2006 put it this way:
“You can imagine the pain and frustration to the friends and families of these fallen heroes when the majority of Americans are clueless as to the real meaning of Memorial Day. Our loved ones gave their final breath so that you could enjoy all of the freedoms and blessings that you have in America. All we ask is that as a nation we come together this weekend and acknowledge, honor and remember our heroes.
I have been on a campaign for years trying to educate people about the history and meaning of Memorial Day what it is and what it is not! It is not a time to “Celebrate Memorial day”, it is not “Happy Memorial Day.” I am sure that ignorance plays a part in the party mentality of the 3-day weekend. We see major advertising about big “blow out” sales, advertisements to “kick off your summer”, prepare for the big bar-b-ques and camping trips and parades. Many families know it marks the end of the school year and the community pools will be opening.
I was part of that ignorant group for years. I wasn’t taught the real meaning of Memorial Day. Oh we visited a few graves through the years and placed flowers on the graves of family members who had died in child-birth, from sickness and different causes. Most of the time it was just a family gathering with picnics and bar-b ques enjoying all of the freedoms that we have but not reflecting on those who paid the ultimate price so we could enjoy them. I was not taught, and I am sorry for the opportunities that were missed to honor our fallen, and focus on the sacrifices made for me.
Often times people mistakenly recognize and thank all of those who have served. Veterans Day is the National Holiday when we do that. I’ve dedicated my life to honoring and thanking our troops 24/7 364 days of the year, but Memorial Day is for those who died in war.“
Supposedly, Memorial day started during Civil War times. Three spouses of Civil War vetrans, (I believe in Pennsylvania), came to get together at the grave sites to memorialize their lost husbands. They started doing it each year on the same day and it grew from there. I have read that many times, but I can't swear to the truth of it.
Funny, I always knew the distinction between the two dates, even when I was a kid...
My Dad is a WWII vet and a life member of the American Legion. I helped put out the flags every Memorial Day starting at age 6 until I moved away from home. Over many years I came to know where the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and even Medal Of Honor receiptients are interred.
I would return home to help my Dad put out and then collect the flags until my Dad retired and moved away. I spent time reading those Patriots names, and thinking about them, their families, and in some cases their living relatives that were my classmates.
My home town cemetery has the largest Civil War memorial in Maine, on it are over 350 names of the men that died during that conflict and now rest in Oak Hill. During the bicentennial year I was one of 13 chosen to read the roll call of the Honored. Yes, Memorial to me is a reverent, solemn day.
During my most recent visit to Oak Hill Cemetery I was directed to two new flags, two young men, one the son of a classmate, both killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. Very very solemn.
It is only now as I grow older that I’m starting to appreciate the ultimate price that our men and women have paid to secure our freedom.
On 1 June 1864 (150 years ago six days from now) my third great grandfather gave his life in the service of our country at the Battle of Cold Harbor. He left behind a wife and four young children.
I never knew these people nor do I know the countless men and women who have done this service for me but in some small way I do not want to forget them. May they always be remembered and may they always rest in peace.
We have a similar day in Australia, ANZAC day. The day was about the ultimate sacrifice of Aussie and NZ armed forces during WW1, it grew to include WW2 and now every conflict we have been involved in. The day is about those who paid the ultimate price in service of the nation, but as you have observed its also grown to be about all who have served, with special reverence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The date, April 25 is significant as its the day that Aussie, NZ and English troops (many forget they were there and paid heavily too, its based on that whole motherland thing, some blame the Brits for using colonials as cannin fodder, but Ill eave that discussion for other places) landed on a beach in Turkey and a both horrific and astounding 8 months followed (you can google it if youre interested). The point was I attend the dawn service each year with my wife and son. I put on a suit and tie, shoes are polished the night before. But I notice some show up in shorts (its warm in the pre dawn autumn where I live) and a hoodie or something similar, down south where its cold at that time of year at that hour of the AM I see jeans and hoodies etc. I used to think that was disrespectful, and while i would not do it and Ive taught my son to suit up too I understand now that at least they have made the effort to attend at that ungodly hour, that is not just something, its everything.
I have come to the view that the choice they make, is what those we are there to remember died for. Not a flag, not a country, not a politician, often not even a cause. Its an ideal, its what the flag and its people represent, a set of values, beliefs and basic morals that in a nutshell comes down to freedom to make choices. Including having too much to drink and treating the day as part of a long weekend, and showing up to a ceremony in shorts, thongs (flip flops…theres limits folks) and a hoodie.
I understand your sentiment, and applaud your efforts.
Never used to cry until we had our daughter, I didn’t know that kind of love or fear. The love of self, the fear of self preservation, sure that is innate. The fear for a child’s safety, their future, the love that only can be given to a child. Those pictures burn the eyes, crush the chest and choke the words from a fathers throat. What a horrible price to pay. I wish those pictures could run everyday before the beginning of the evening news.
“A veteran is someone who, at one point, wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America ’ for an amount of ’up to and including their life.”
Always observed and not celebrated memorial day myself, except for a few years in my teens and early twenties when I didn’t know any better and went to the beach. Never any cookouts or alcohol on Memorial Day. Luvlites, thanks for clarifying things for people who don’t know.
Invading someone else’s country, just because the priest class wants to profit their cronies, is NOT an honorable action.
Each of these “memorable” people SWORE AN OATH to “uphold and defend the constitution”, not “serve the blood lust of the ruling class”.
I fail to see how “creating ever more enemies to threaten our grand- and great-grandchildren” in any way HONORS that OATH.
Show me a soldier who did, in tangible FACT, UPHOLD AND DEFEND the Constitution against ALL enemies, foreign AND DOMESTIC, and I’ll be 110% with you in complimenting them. I only see one or two of them, but I don’t live everywhere.
PS: “Honor” isn’t what some other person gives you in a box. That is a “TOKEN”. HONOR is a part of YOUR CHARACTER which leads you to EARN that token in that box.
To drive what few of you have read this far even more mad, True Honor would not require an oath. “Swear not … lest ye fall into iniquity”.
At the risk of getting into politics I believe your concerns are misplaced and should be directed to the Commander in Chief. If you will check the Constitution, the President is the Commander in Chief. Soldiers do indeed honor the Constitution by executing orders from the Commander in Chief. That said, I don’t necessarily disagree with what you are saying, IMO, summarized as: “Minding our own business.”
The Constitution (Article II, section 2) specifies that “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several states, when called into the actual Service of the United States.”
No, you have it backwards. It’s even more honorable to sacrifice yourself for someone else’s ideology that you don’t necessarily believe in. It’s unfair to attack the servants of bad policy. I’m right there with you that we are creating more enemies with our bad policies, but that is completely separate from the sacrifices that our boys make in service to our country. It’s a day to acknowledge their sacrifices, not call into question the questionable policies of those who lead. I’m honestly surprised that you can’t see the difference.
I don’t know what was in the mind of each and every soldier but I do know that from my experience those who serve and die are not doing it for political reasons but for love. I can’t say it any better then John 15:13 when Yeshua said:
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
If for only one day a year some people can’t set aside politics and honor those who gave everything out of love then they misunderstand the true reason for Memorial day and I truly feel sorry for them.
Not everyone who died in the military during wartime signed up, some were drafted, others saw the military as a way out of a bad situation they had no control over, or a way to pay for college. Our borders are open, feel free to leave, think maybe North Korea or any of a number of countries in Africa would be best, hopefully your not married and don’t have any daughters. .
