Agreed.
I believe "Happy Memorial Day" is an oxymoron.
I don't find anything "Happy" about remembering the combat deaths of hundreds of thousands of American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, and Marines.
I chafe when I'm asked to "Celebrate" Memorial Day.
I believe Memorial Day should be "observed," not "celebrated."
As I said, if I'm off base, please let me know.
P.S. I unsubscribed from each of the organizations from which I received the emails, and let them know why.
‘Observe’...PERFECT word.
Agreed.
I agree with you.
Memorial Day is a day of reflection, not celebration...
Just my opinion...
Agreed, But we can’t get chaffed the use of the term Happy My thinking is that it is a Generic form of a salutation, and that people would use it without malice. Yes, observed is the correct term but I would like to think that the people using the term “Happy” are concerned about our military personnel, and their personal sacrifices they make for our great country.
You’re correct.
I’ve “observed” Memorial Day for several years not.
As a side note, Google makes no note of it.
Not that I’m surprised.
Hubby and I watched Vietnam in HD last night and the battle at Hamburger Hill, Hill 937. A good friend of ours was killed there on his first week in Nam,just a week before my hubby got to Nam.
Did not seem very happy for those who gave all.
We know a lot of people on that Memorial wall.
Bought a new beautiful Stars and Stripes flag this year, Hang it always and so proud to have this freedom that all those gave.
Am an immigrant from Canada and a citizen of this country, have been here 52 years and love this country so much, cry at the National Anthem.
God Bless America!!!!!
MAGA!!!
2 Marine sons also.
Remember and observe on Memorial Day.
The following is an email I received this morning from Brandon Webb, former Navy SEAL:
“Hi xxxx,
“As you can imagine, today is special at Hurricane—a mark on the calendar that is as personally-relevant to our mostly-veteran staff as possible. It’s a day to memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And we all know someone in that category. And many of us know all too many. Memorial Day started shortly after the Civil War (under a different name) and is still of the utmost importance now.”
“Today’s conflicts and wars aren’t like those we’ve read about in history books, heard about from previous generations or studied in the military. Today’s battlefields don’t feature distinct frontlines or hundreds of thousands of uniformed men. And victory and defeat often-times blend together and might even be absent of declaration or have so minimal of a difference that they’re one-in-the same.”
“But just because numbers and nations are different, allies and foes ever-changing and outcomes undefined, war is still ever-present and affects us all. Don’t make any mistake—war has always been hell. And it will be to the end of time. And so too will the fact that people die in conflicts and are taken from us forever. This will never go away.”
“But all this sacrifice and bloodshed ensures we still live in the best nation in the world. We enjoy unparalleled opportunities and freedom. There will always be people looking to take that away from us or otherwise disrupt our way of life—but I am confident that this is one victory that will remain decisive. History has shown that we are a people who will not give in or be ruled.”
“So on Memorial Day, take a little extra time to remember and honor those who are no longer here. Every generation of Americans has personal connections to the loss and pain war causes and is forced to rely on memories of service men and women stripped of otherwise longer lives.”
“And please take solace knowing that there are still bad men willing to go to dark places and thrust themselves in harm’s way in the name of freedom. Sleep a little easier at night knowing somewhere, one of your American brothers is poised to act on your behalf. Sometimes he must inflict violence. Other times he must show compassion. But he’ll always make his decision based on what we have and what so many have given their lives to protect.”
“Happy Memorial Day.”
Sincerely,
Brandon Webb
Former Navy SEAL
CEO of Hurricane Group, Inc.”
Just so happens we were discussing this a while ago on another site for Vet’s only. This was a crusty old Vet’s response and as another crusty old Vet i agree with.
“Every year I see posts by veterans who are truly angry with the phrase “Happy Memorial Day.” They go into long rants about “There is nothing ‘happy’ about it.” Let me wish you a Happy Memorial Day. It should be happy. We are remembering those who came before us. Our greatest honor to them is to live our lives to our fullest and to CELEBRATE their lives. We were blessed to have had these great men and women in our lives, if only for a short time. We were alongside greatness and know that people like them existed; that they sacrificed for our nation and for us to live a life as we choose. So, remember them, shed a tear, raise a glass, and then think of the great things they did and how they made your life better. Remember them splitting that last smoke in their pack, them giving you the word you needed in your time of trial, the love only a brother can give another. Then put that smile on your face and know you were truly blessed to have had them in your life. Go forward and honor them and celebrate their lives by living yours.”
D Company, 1/502 Infantry (Airmobile) 69-72
It’s a solemnity. In Catholicism we have a few Good Friday is one. We don’t call it happy. We observe it
Those that have sacrificed it all for my freedom I shall never be able to repay but will always remember and honor you.
At least it’s being observed.
My wife and I are both veterans. We're retired and raise beef cattle on a farm. Except for spending a few minutes this morning putting small American flags out at the family cemetery on the graves of military veteran family members, we will neither observe nor celebrate the day.
It is not a "holiday" for us. Raising cattle doesn't lend itself to time off "celebrating" or "observing" holidays. There are no holidays on the farm. One day is like any other. I have a long list of chores to do today that one could not possibly call observing or celebrating or anything else but working.
I think your complaint is unwarranted. Let people celebrate or observe or mourn however they want. It's not up to you to decide that.
Well said!
There is nothing ‘happy’ about Memorial Day. It is about respect and thankfulness for those who gave all, to protect our freedoms in this great country. And I included ‘all’ in my messaging as I would like to point out that is it good in our country that we have ‘days off’ that actually mean something. Today in the UK is a day off, but only referred to as ‘Bank Holiday’. Most days off in the UK are ‘Bank Holidays’ rather than ‘Presidents Day, ‘Memorial Day’, ‘4th of July’, Labor Day’ or Thanksgiving. They do honor Veterans on Remembrance Sunday (around our Veterans Day, which is no longer a day off here). And Christmas is always a day off, as is the day after Christmas, Boxing Day (the day that the people give ‘boxes’ or compensation to the people who work for them, such as the ‘dustmen’, etc). I don’t know if the practice is still actually done on Boxing Day, but it is nice to have the day after Christmas off. I’m just pointing out that in a Socialist country, the reasons for honoring with a day off have fallen by the wayside and are now just called Bank Holidays. It is good to remember those who sacrificed for our country; it is good to have a Memorial Day.
I couldn’t believe there was a business with a marquee that stated “Have A Happy Memorial Day” - now come in and buy a mattress (I added that last part).
Bud Foster and HokiesFB 🦃 liked Justin FuenteVerified account @CoachFuente 1h1 hour ago
Today we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thank you!! Memorial Day 🇺🇸