Memorial Day ! !

I have seen a renewal of good observances, local and regional, in the last couple of years.  Our local paper has a page listing these observances, and the space is growing each year.  I think it is better now than at the turn of the century.  It was bad around that time.  More programs on radio and TV now about what Memorial Day celebrates, and more of them are about earlier wars, not just post WW2 stuff.

I get really tired of car dealers, mattress companies, department stores and furniture stores wanting me to "celebrate" Memorial Day by spending my money. Yes, Memorial Day sort of marks the beginning of summer, but Memorial Day is supposed to be a day of rememberance and intospection. Today is the day we remember those who gave their all for our freedom. My dad never saw combat. I never saw combat. My oldest brother served his tour of duty at Ft. Lee, in Virginia, 1966-1968. One of my younger brothers was assigned to Anderson AFB on Guam in the 80s. One of my uncles was a top turret gunner on a B-24. Another uncle earned a Distinguished Flying Cross. I remember them today too. We all volunteered to serve. Service in our family goes all the way back to the Civil War. A cousin named Claude served in the Union Army. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war at Stone Mountain in Georgia.

I'm sorry, I'm rambling. Memorial Day and Veterans Day are two very important days for me.

    Well put TB, until recently,( last 10-15yrs), I fell in line with most, a day off of work, a chance to "party". Now I really understand the purpose of this day and try to avoid doing any business, rather I reflect like you on those who gave the ultimate sacrifice which allowed me to grow up with every opportunity avaiable to me.

      I also served, and again beat my chest and shouted UUUHHHRAA, like many, now I question if I served honorably enough to be tagged with the monicare of Veteran. "Never before in history was so much been owed to so few". Big shoes to fill. My only excuse is I was never put in a position to lay down my life for my brother, I want to think I would without fear or hesitation as those who have gone before me. By the grace of God I have not had that test....yet.

    Thank you soldier, sailor, airman, marine for all you gave for all of us.

fotofrank

I get really tired of car dealers, mattress companies, department stores and furniture stores wanting me to "celebrate" Memorial Day by spending my money. 

 

It's a bit infuriating, to say the least.

Fermis ;

 If you can , say Thank You to them for me . Just one tired old Marine !

I just don’t care for the phrase “Happy Memorial Day”. It’s like saying “Happy Pearl Harbor Day”, ”Happy 9/11”, or ”Happy Holocaust Day”. We remember our war dead, and perhaps celebrate the memory of one or a few we may have known personally. But still take the time and reason to remember their loss. 

I usually ignore those car, mattress, store ads 99% of the time but I take solace in my own way thanking our service men and women for their service as well as remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifrice.