Posted on 05/23/2015 8:00:30 AM PDT by darkwing104
Far too many people are indifferent to the meaning of Memorial Day, thinking of it as just a long weekend or official start of summer. There are cook-outs and family get-togethers but the only mention of the Memorial Day weekend is in store ads. Brass bands and ceremonies are performing to dwindling crowds. Americans have forgotten the sacrifices of those who perished to preserve their security, peace and freedom. What a tragedy that today so many citizens are willing to surrender these irreplaceable treasures to an American Idol tyrant.
Memorial Day should never be confused with Veterans Day. On Memorial Day we honor those who lost their lives in Americas wars, while on Veterans Day we celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans.
Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War in a desire to honor the dead. It was proclaimed in a General order by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. He established that May 30th would be the day designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country. A Decoration Day. The former combatants honored their dead on separate days until after the First World War. Memorial Day has evolved to honor all Americans who died while in military service. It became a Federal Holiday In 1971.
People still visit cemeteries and memorials across the nation to honor those who have died in military service. Ceremonies are held, names are read, Taps is played and bells are rung. The graves of the fallen are decorated with flowers and American Flags. This is their time of remembrance.
Over time
(Excerpt) Read more at coachisright.com ...
Well at least the lyin’ king will give a shout out to all the troops serving overseas this Memorial Day. And a special thanks to all the corpse-man too.
The loss of the respect given to various holidays began many years ago when Congress decided to move the recognition to create three day weekends.
Just like words, holidays have meaning and, unfortunately, they can be reduced (polluted?) by moving them. When I was growing up there was only one “floating” holiday - Thanksgiving - that was tied to the fourth Thursday in November. If a holiday fell in the middle of the week it was still celebrated and everyone knew it was special. If it fell on the weekend - oh well. But the day was always special and was remembered and celebrated as such.
So the author believes that when people BBQ, go shopping, or have friends and family over, that somehow dishonors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice?
Should people remain solemn the entire day?
Not so much solemn the entire day, but the death of a US serviceman or woman in combat protecting freedom should be a joyous occasion...
The only ones I’ve seen celebrating those deaths are the Islamists....
Oops....
“should NOT be...”
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 1978 OSWEGO VALLEY NEWS PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS the contributions of individual men may not be recorded in the ledgers of history for the world to recognize and remember, yet are the bases for whatever steps forward have been made in a civilized society; and
WHEREAS the contributions of individual men may be quiet, unpublicized, and without material reward yet have the impact of inspiration, respect and positive influence on the lives of everyone touched by their presence; and
WHEREAS Walter J . Buell, died on March 20, 1978 after a long and giving life to family, friends and to the veterans of our community, was just such a manquiet, gentle, but unswerving in his service to others; and
WHEREAS Walter J . Buell, never a veteran himself but the grandson of a Civil War Veteran, worked in respect of his fathers contribution in the service of his country by his own personal service on behalf of the Sons of Veterans organization and as President of the Fulton Veterans Council;
WHEREAS Walter J . Buell is remembered by all who knew him as travelling miles during Memorial Day seasons to make certain that every veterans grave in every cemetery for many miles around was marked with an American flag; and maintained constant personal contact with the members of the areas veterans organizations, working actively in the best interest of those who fought for their country;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED in this Memorial Day period of remembrance that Walter J. Buell also be remembered and recognized as a man of consequence, a man of gentle manners, but strong conviction who gave without thought of reward or personal recognition, who participated actively in every Memorial Day observance throughout his adult life, and it made a difference in the quality of life for those whose lives touched his.
Percy E. Patrick Mayor City of Fulton
When someone thanks me for my service in the Corps at the local parade I very graciously thank them and tell them "It Was My Priviledge", and I don't tell them that the parade and services are for patriot men and women who did not make it home, perhaps I should.
I give thanks that people are remembered, correctly or not, because I thought that what we experienced when we came home in 66-72 would become the norm. Thanks to my brothers who stood should to shoulder at the Gatherings of Eagles SDS and International ANSWER today is not as bad as I thought it would be.
May God Bless America.....................Semper Fi
I almost, sorta did that last Memorial Day...for some reason I watched "Taking Chance" two times.
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Dear extreme,
As a milvet that ain’t dead yet, i respond:
I, and all the 54000 that are gone, look at
childish questions, as the ones you have raised,
and wonder .. what did we fight for?
Did we fight so folks could wear a mantle of
Oof self-stupidity? No.
Did we fight so folks could have beer parties,
a three day government sanctioned, buy a
mattress cheap, holiday, and, oh yeah, thanks
for your sacrifice, whatever, whatever?.
(EXPLETIVE) NO!!!!
We fought, and bled, and died, to secure
the FREEDOM, of that generation and this one.
To be secure that the rights laid out in our
Constitution, were still the law of the land,
and that our children and grandchildren were
raised in that freedom. and not subjects of a
totalitarian government, as in those countries
against whom we fought.
It was Richard Nixon, who signed over Memorial
Day, to this government employee three day
weekend nonsense, while we who were doing
the fighting, felt screwed.
Very well said.....
“What a tragedy that today so many citizens are willing to surrender these irreplaceable treasures to an American Idol tyrant. “
What does American Idol have to do with it?
LOL! I was recalling the lyin’ king not knowing what day of the week it is or what “holiday” does what. Or what to call Navy corpse men. Monday will be one of the few day per year that I put the flag out. Took it down the night of the last (p)residential (s)election.
You are completely missing my point! Look, I come from a military family, and the ironic thing is, they and other vets who served would agree with.
Having barbecues and cracking open a cold one is EXACTLY what our fallen heroes would have wanted us to do.
Does that mean Americans have become callous in this regard? Of course not, we honor their sacrifice....by engaging in the very freedoms that they fought and died valiantly for.
I should have known that at the least you were being sarcastic. Problem is too many people you would expect knew better don’t and they think Memorial Day is for all vets. It’s a pet peeve with me.
Roger that. Youngest daughter Navy, oldest grand-daughter Fl National Guard (Iraq and back), Dad-0-6 Navy, me Navy, aunt 0-6 Army Air Corps/Air Force, ancestors Civil War, Revolution. So yeah, I’m fairly well versed in the meaning of the holidays. Thanks for your service. You’ll have to wait until Veterans day. :>}
Just a P.S. Don’t know where you are but here in Reno, when Veterans Day rolls in, the parade in downtown is AWESOME. Looks like thousands of kids in all the high schools around have a VERY strong set of ROTC programs. The parade usually last about an hour and a half. Makes me proud and a little choked up.
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