General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Time to Remember, Salute, and Support Our Military Heroes
According to an article at pbs.org entitled A Day of Reflection: A Brief History of Memorial Day, Mondays Memorial Day celebration was originally called Decoration Day as a day to remember those who have died in service to our country. It was first observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. During the first national celebration, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers who were buried there. Today, the national celebration of Memorial Day continues to be held at Arlington National Cemetery in which a small American flag is placed on each grave, and the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
I was thinking that while we honor the service of US military heroes who have passed, WE should, also, take the opportunity to salute and support active duty personnel and veterans who served and are currently serving our country in uniform. There are countless ways we can support active duty military personnel, their families and veterans. WE can become email pen pals, send cards and letters; help soldiers connect with jobs; support deployed canine teams and retired service dogs, prepare care packages, provide moral support; support pregnant spouses, provide free tickets to sports, arts, and other special events; participate in programs and projects for military families and single service members; lend an ear and spend time with disabled veterans who may just need someone to talk to, and much more.
So while you take time to remember that special someone who served, but is no longer with us, honor the memory of their brave and selfless service by supporting those who remain. Links to support can be found at www.spindetective.com
cali
(114,904 posts)kind of sentimental claptrap. In fact it makes me ill. Really ill. It perpetuates the mythology of the grandness of wars.
By and large those who serve and those who died serving are simply cannon fodder, to use a somewhat quaint term, thrust into unjust wars.
That doesn't mean that I don't think we should aid those who serve, but this whole here garbage is just sickening.
Bonobo
(29,257 posts)I am equally sickened when I hear Rachel Maddow perpetuating that kind of thinking.
we could replace memorial day with pride day. fighting for the right to have sex with who you want - now those are real heroes here on DU!
pinto
(106,886 posts)greytdemocrat
(3,299 posts)You're a bitter fool. Have a nice day.
cali
(114,904 posts)I'm not bitter. I just think "heroizing" those in the armed services is dangerous and perpetuates our over militarization.
Oh, and I hope your day is fucking miserable, honeypie.
greytdemocrat
(3,299 posts)For proving my point.
cali
(114,904 posts)proves your point. Not.
You just don't have the smarts to grasp what I was saying, honeypie.