I hope in future, on September 11, the anniversary of their sacrifice; we should remember them and acknowledge our debt to them and their families. But, I also hope that we reserve the rememberences of Memorial Day to those in uniform who fell to keep us free.
Memorial Day is not for living veterans. Neither is it for those who were victims of terrorist attack. Those who suffered the hardships of wartime service, and who made the ultimate sacrifice deserve the distinction.
While I agree with you that Memorial Day should be reserved for "those in uniform who fell to keep us free", I see no reason why this year, and this year alone, we shouldn't honor those that had an active hand in preventing another horrible attack and sacrificed their lives in the process. Hopefully, Sept. 11 will eventually become
the day when we honor these folks.
"Those who suffered the hardships of wartime service, and who made the ultimate sacrifice deserve the distinction."
I am expecially sensitive to preserving Memorial Day for what it has been in the past. My husband served two tours as a Navy pilot in Viet Nam, and we lost several close friends during that conflict.