I don't "celebrate" Memorial Day, I observe it.

[11 Bravo]

I know too many guys on The Wall, two of whom I helped carry to the dust-off. I also watched my father,(WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and not many have that on their DD-214) buried at Arlington two years ago. I used to kid him that while I was chewing dirt in the A Shau, he was sitting comfortably in the wardroom of a ship, somewhere on Yankee Station. Of course, I know what he experienced in aerial combat in the Leyte Gulf, and later over Korea, but we both enjoyed busting each other's balls.
In any case, I won't be getting a great deal on a car, or buying a fucking mattress this weekend. I'll be remembering some special people. Rest easy, bros. And I love you, Dad.

[Skittles]

1. all it is to most Americans is a three day weekend

:puke:

[Texasgal]

3. It reminds me most of matteress sales.

:(

[Captain Hilts]

5. Canada's Remembrance Day - Armistice Day - does it better. nt

[Skittles]

8. so does England

[depakid]

10. Anzac day in Australia and New Zealand is certainly a lot more somber

though not necessarily more sober occasion.

I think part of the hoopla in the states comes from the fact that it also marks the beginning of the summer season.

[11 Bravo]

22. Yup. Pisses me off.

[recovering democrat]

2. observing too

ditto. Thank you and all veterans living for your service. Thanking those of you no longer living by honoring your memory. And just in passing, thank those of you currently active duty for "putting up with" civilians. Espcially thinking of my family and friends in each of these. I love you!

[Captain Hilts]

4. Same here. I was just at Arlington. nt

[BlancheSplanchnik]

6. thank you 11 Bravo.

I never really knew what you mean until my relationship with someone special who is a Vietnam vet. Marines 1st Force Recon.

So many deeper meanings reduced to barking sales hustles.

KnR

[Stinky The Clown]

7. "Happy Memorial Day"

I am reminded every year just how discordant a note that phrase strikes.

[Captain Hilts]

9. I was HORRIFIED when the base exchange would have sales. I'm told they've stopped that. nt

[Posteritatis]

11. I've seen "Happy Passover" a few times; some people really don't think about what they're saying. nt

[drm604]

12. I went out to dinner this evening.

As we left our waitress told us "have a happy holiday!"

As you say, it really strikes a discordant note. I didn't say anything. Maybe I should have but she was very likely just doing what she was instructed to do by management. She was just back from maternity leave and we all know how the job market is so I can't blame her for following a chain's required script.

What I think I will do is send a complaint to management about it. This particular chain makes a big deal about supporting local communities and charities, yadda, yadda, so you'd think they'd be a little more thoughtful.

[Morning Dew]

13. I don't celebrate either

General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters.

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and com­rades will, in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hinds slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation's gratitude—the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander‑in‑Chief to inaugurate this observ­ance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective.

By Command of:

John A. Logan
Commander in Chief May 5, 1868

[Posteritatis]

14. Pity we've generally lost the original meaning of the term

The original meaning was "assemble to honour," which is more than a little appropriate for Memorial Day (or, up here, Remembrance Day). Of course word meanings change over time, but I still feel a bit saddened that such a date has become the generic start-of-summer holiday there.

[deaniac21]

15. We need to do away with the military.

[11 Bravo]

18. My emotions are a little raw this evening, I spent the morning with my sons, picking out the stones

they will place on their Grandpa's headstone tomorrow. They take it pretty seriously. Anything I have to say to you right now would serve no purpose, and would probaby result in a deleted post. Have a nice weekend.

[pinboy3niner]

19. I didn't expect to see a post so devoid of sensitivity here

There are plenty of threads where such a post is appropriate. This is not one of them.

[WinkyDink]

21. Today we remember those already "done away with."

[Bigmack]

16. I sent this out today.....

On Memorial Day, it's important to remember those who have given their lives for our country. It's also important to remember that sometimes this country sends our men and women to war for crass reasons that are not worthy of their sacrifices. May we learn when not to send troops.

"War is a racket. Our stake in that racket has never been greater in all out peace-time history. I helped make Mexico safe for American oil interests. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests. I helped make Honduras 'right' for American fruit companies ... War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
Looking back on it, I feel I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three city districts. We Marines operated on three continents"
--Marine Corps Major General Smedley D. Butler. Twice wounded in action and twenty times decorated, Smedley Butler was also one of the few Americans to be twice awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.


"I believe that if we had and would keep our dirty, bloody, dollar soaked fingers out of the business of these (Third World) nations so full of depressed, exploited people, they will arrive at a solution of their own. And if unfortunately their revolution must be of the violent type because the `haves' refuse to share with the `have-nots' by any peaceful method, at least what they get will be their own, and not the American style, which they don’t want and above all don’t want crammed down their throats by Americans.' –
Gen. David Shoup, United States Marine Commandant Medal of Honor recipient.

"It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood...War is hell."
General William Tecumseh Sherman

[pinboy3niner]

17. I'll be observing and remembering, too

I knew more than 60 guys whose names are on the Wall, including two roommates--one of whom, Stephen Helden Doane, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

"Special people" is right, 11 Bravo--though somehow, that doesn't seem enough to do them justice.

My feelings about Memorial Day were expressed by someone else far better than I ever could:


"Save Them a Place," by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell

If you are able,
save them a place
inside of you
and save one backward glance
when you are leaving

Be not ashamed to say
you loved them
though you may
or may not have always

Take what they have left
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own.

And in that time
when men decide and feel safe
To call the war insane
take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
you left behind.


--Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
Written 1 January 1970
KIA 24 March 1970
Dak To, Vietnam

[WinkyDink]

20. Thank you. That IS, of course, the correct behavior and wording of it.

[Obamanaut]

23. This was a very good post. nt