Agreed.
Posted on 05/29/2017 5:39:51 AM PDT by Peter W. Kessler
I have received three emails this morning that started with "Happy Memorial Day."
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.
I see your point, but would that not be Veterans Day???
I also agree it is not something to get worked up about. As for me, I’ll be going to morning Mass and pray for all those that have given their lives for us but especially those I had the honor to know and served with. God bless them all.
“Happy Memorial Day” has always struck me as oddly dissonant. Reflective, grateful, serious & sober better describe most people’s actual feelings.
I reminds me of the suddenly-popular, “Thank you for your service,” that I never heard before just a couple of years ago. I was wished this just today by a serious, intelligent, well-meaning Freeper — and I do thank him for his thought, offered sincerely.
You see, although I was in the Army, and did “participate” in Vietnam, so very many others gave so very much more, and faced so very much more challenge, difficulty, and pain than I did. I’m just not in their class. I didn’t live their experience. I was a rear-echelon twit in a radio station, and I got to go home aand marry my girl, and have 42 years of happiness with her.
So, it’s far more appropriate to thank them than to thank me. Their gifts to this country way outstrip mine.
Even so, and having said all that, you’re welcome.
May we always have enough patriots to keep our Liberty,
and may God Bless the United States Of America.
Veterans Day is for those who got out alive.
Armed Forces Day is for those still serving.
Of course.....
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.
Should be “... several years noW.”
Yes, it would be Veterans Day, but I do not think a generic salutation is worthy of rebuke, especially when it does not mean anything negative. I have a good buddy who went to Germany and not Vietnam, so I am “Happy” I get to hug him on Veterans day instead of remembering him today.
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