Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

My Email to PARADE Magazine RE: Neglecting the True Reason for Memorial Day
Vanity | May 27, 2012 | LoveUSA

Posted on 05/27/2012 10:19:40 AM PDT by LoveUSA

To Whom It May Concern (and especially to those who don't know enough to be concerned),

I am not just disappointed, I am distressed at your May 27, 2012, issue's total lack of acknowledgement for Memorial Day and the reason that we observe it. How can you as an American "culture" magazine totally overlook the heroes for whom we observe this holiday? How can you ignore the American lives that were lost so that we could eat our ice cream and grill our hot dogs without fear of harassment, violence, imprisonment, or even death? How many countries can boast a citizenry whose only concern this weekend is finding the best barbecue recipe and whether or not it will rain on their picnic? So many men and women have died to preserve our ability to live our lives as we choose and without fear. Your absolute failure to recognize their sacrifice is deeply disturbing and will cause me to question the motives behind anything you publish from now on. I used to think your magazine was an American cultural icon. No more.


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: american; memorial; parade
I don't apologize for posting this vanity, but I do apologize for its rambling dialogue. I was really ticked off and I think that anyone else who feels the way that I do might be interested in writing to

editorletters@parade.com

Tomorrow, when I hold up my "Thank You!" sign to the veterans marching in the Memorial Day parade, I will be just little more melancholy.

*sigh* I miss the days when Americans understood who and why we are.

1 posted on 05/27/2012 10:19:52 AM PDT by LoveUSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

I truly miss those days as well, my FRiend.

For a brief shining moment in the wake of 9/11/01, we almost had it back.

But the left made sure they put the kaibosh on THAT anomaly.

(sigh)


2 posted on 05/27/2012 10:26:00 AM PDT by left that other site
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

GOOD on you!

Mercifully, I do NOT get Parade anymore.


3 posted on 05/27/2012 10:29:36 AM PDT by onyx (FREE REPUBLIC IS HERE TO STAY!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

Good for you!


4 posted on 05/27/2012 10:34:39 AM PDT by Jane Long (Soli Deo Gloria!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

Well stated...thank you for caring and having the courage to stand up for what it right! God Bless the USA and those brave souls who have paid such a high price to protect our freedoms.


5 posted on 05/27/2012 10:35:57 AM PDT by Wpin ("I Have Sworn Upon the Altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny...")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

Ramble away!

Well said and thanks for standing up and speaking your mind. It is amazing to me that there is not one war classic on tv this weekend. No specials.. Nothing... But Disney of course.

I am my forties (49) and I am sad that my kids are growing up in a world that totally different than the one I grew up in. When you think of all of the men and women that gave their lives for this country only to bs ignored on this holiday... I makes me sick.

For those of you who have served or are serving our country now... Thank you.

You are in our prayers.

God Bless all of you


6 posted on 05/27/2012 11:05:53 AM PDT by WomBom ("I read Free Republic for the pictures")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: WomBom

“It” makes me sick...

Sorry, I’m not very good at typing on an iPhone :)


7 posted on 05/27/2012 11:08:27 AM PDT by WomBom ("I read Free Republic for the pictures")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA
Anyone who knows anything about “Parade’’ magazine knows it's nothing but a liberal rag of an insert put into most of the publications of the Gannett News Organization. I wouldn't use it to line my cat s litter box. Who cares what Parade acknowledges or not. True FReepers know why we commemorate Memorial Day.
8 posted on 05/27/2012 11:09:11 AM PDT by jmacusa (Political correctness is cultural Marxism. I'm not a Marxist.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA
I share your regard for the Day, and distress over those who seem blind to its purpose (or mistake it for Veterans Day, and vice versa) or, worse, show deliberate contempt for the Dead... "who more than life their country loved."

Nevertheless, color me perplexed over your disappointment with Parade. I can't imagine still holding unrealistic expectations of that POS, which a very long time ago became a tool of Leftist Journos used to manufacture consensus, propaganda.

They regularly present headlines, (e.g. about Anthropomorphic Climate Modification) and text meant to present views opposite those of its targeted audience to sow doubt and division.

You can't shame people without a conscience.

9 posted on 05/27/2012 11:12:27 AM PDT by Prospero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

Well said. Part of this was our good old federal government messing with the old holidays, which everyone used to observe and understand. The Democrats were the driving force behind these changes, but the Republicans went along with it, as usual.

First, there was the introduction of Martin Luther King Day, which evidently required putting an end to observing the birthdays of two great American Presidents, Abe Lincoln (Feb 12) and George Washington (Feb 22). Instead, we get a vaguely named Presidents Day, which is on no one’s birthday and is unclear what it stands for. Washington and Lincoln? All the dead Presidents? All the Presidents, including Obama? They moved it from two formerly well known birthdays to a variable date, making a nice three-day weekend every year. Who can complain about that?

The same with Memorial Day. It was always on May 30, until it wasn’t. Now, it’s just part of an annual three day weekend, with a variable date. Sure, patriots still celebrate it as Memorial Day, but most people have pretty much forgotten what it was originally for. Now, it’s mostly a three-day weekend at the start of summer weather, and by the way some people seem to be celebrating something or other about our dead heroes. Not quite clear what.

Obviously, these changes were made on purpose, to destroy the original meanings of these holidays. Now, the only one that gets much attention from the media as a national occasion is MLK day. Plenty of discussion on TV of the Selma march and the continuing war for black rights—far more than the discussion of Memorial Day observances, which might rate a few minutes in the news.


10 posted on 05/27/2012 11:26:57 AM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA; All
Please make sure to watch the National Memorial Day Concert 2012 on PBS this evening

Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise host the annual tribute to America's military personnel. Slated performers include Trace Adkins, Natalie Cole, Daughtry, tenor Russell Watson and the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Jack Everly. The event also features Selma Blair, Ellen Burstyn and Dennis Franz presenting the stories of soldiers and their families, including one who died in Afghanistan; and an appearance by Gen. Colin Powell (USA Ret.). From the U.S. Capitol's West Lawn.

I normally don't watch PBS but I will make an exeption.

11 posted on 05/27/2012 11:49:51 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Prospero
holding unrealistic expectations

I understand what you're saying. I'm disappointed because PARADE Magazine purports to annotate American Culture and way-of-life. To totally ignore the heroic lives that were lost is reprehensible... they didn't even pay lip service with a page six blurb.

This Sunday's PARADE was not just an oversight, it was an attack on American values.

My intention was to call them on it... to let them know that their actions are totally transparent.

12 posted on 05/27/2012 12:23:24 PM PDT by LoveUSA (God employs Man's strength; Satan exploits Man's weakness.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

This weekend, we’re remembering a young friend, Anthony, who was killed last Memorial Day in Afghanistan.


13 posted on 05/27/2012 12:41:26 PM PDT by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LoveUSA

This is what Parade said on Page 2:

“Q: When was Memorial Day first celebrated?

A: The holiday, which commemorates the fallen members of our armed forces, was originally called Decoration Day and officially became known as Memorial Day in the 1960s. Its substantive roots date to 1865, when it focused only on Union soldiers; as the nation healed, however, slain fighters on both sides of the Civil War were honored.”


14 posted on 05/27/2012 1:10:34 PM PDT by oldcodger (...and may you live to see your children's children - Ps 128:6)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson