Memorial Day After September 11

Opinion Journal ^ | 05/24/2002 | DANIEL HENNINGER

[Pokey78]

This year we'll remember more than just the military dead.

This Monday marks the first Memorial Day after September 11. So now we who have forgotten or never knew will relearn or discover the meaning of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a day of the dead, and in recent years many of us came to conclude that a nationally declared break from our busy days was too personally valuable and useful to spend thinking about the dead. Memorial Day for some has become a day to shop or sunbathe undisturbed by the dead who fell in wars.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I for one will celebrate as I always do... Watch the Preisdent lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and barbecue by the pool.

BTW, if you have never been to the Tomb, I highly recommend it. The Changing of the Guard Ceremony is a somber memorial to those who fell in battle, never to be buried.

[A Navy Vet]

Sorry, Memorial Day was created to remember those who died in the line of duty serving their country. Establish a separate day for civilians killed by acts of war or aggression, please.

[sarasmom]

I believe this war will be different.It already is.While I wish that civilians of the USA had never seen an actual battlefield,that wish is pointless.They (we) have seen it.This time, war will be directed at civilians vs those of us who knowingly choose to put ourselves in harms way.

I have no problem saluting the memory of a group of people who died in a field in PA, rather than let the enemy kill them along with even more citizens.They also accepted the ultimate sacrifice in a war they had no part in starting.

The civilian dead of the twin towers and the military dead of the Pentagon on 911 are forever joined in our collective memory.

On this Memorial day, "Never Forget" has a new meaning for us all. We will all fight and die in this war. That our people will be drafted involuntarily, without warning or training does not mean they will not deserve our respect as fellow soldiers.We have always been one of them.Our fellow Americans.US.

[squeegee boy]

Memorial Day to me is to travel to the Wall and the Korean Memorial and pay tribute to those who knew they could die, yet went anyway. And to pay tribute to all the vets who go there every year to honor their brothers in arms also.The innocents who died on 9/11 should have their own day and 9/11 should be it, no matter what day of the week it falls on, it should also be a day of remembrance. But let's keep them separate, please. See you all in DC this weekend! John Wayne Lafayette Vietnam Memorial Wall panel 6E, my friend

[A Navy Vet]

Beautifully written and a wonderful sentiment...thank you. However, there is a real distinction between those who offer years of their life in service to their countrymen and those who are killed by an act of chance. That said, the warriors of Flight 93 deserve a heroes award...let us honor them with their own special memorial.