Thoughts on Memorial Day

[Reformed]

As a United States Air Force veteran, I appreciate it whenever someone thanks me for my service. However, I am always a bit uneasy when someone does so on Memorial Day. I know they are well-meaning but Memorial Day (originally Decoration Day) was established to remember those who gave their last full measure of devotion for their country. This nation, established by God, was built upon, and preserved, through the sacrifice of patriots. The greatest honor we can do them is to remember their sacrifice with thankfulness and appreciation.

 

[Salty]

I use the phrase - have a Respectful Memorial Day

and like Reformed, I am also a Vet - US Army, 1970-86

 

[padredurand]

My Uncle Ross was killed in action in Germany on 1 DEC 1944.

 

[Reformed]

My Uncle Ross was killed in action in Germany on 1 DEC 1944.

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I am not liking the fact your Uncle was killed in the service of his country. I am saluting his service and sacrifice.

 

[padredurand]

I am not liking the fact your Uncle was killed in the service of his country. I am saluting his service and sacrifice.

Clearly understood.

They all served in the hope the next generation would not have to. I have my father's Purple Heart and Bronze Star on my desk. He sent me off during the Cold War praying I would earn neither. I expressed the same to my son before he deployed for the 2d Gulf War.

I took a knee yesterday. Unlike those who find everything wrong with America and mock what we hold near and dear I spent 2 hours on my knees scrubbing 74 years worth of lichen and mold off Ross' marker.

 

[Adonia]

My Uncle Ross was killed in action in Germany on 1 DEC 1944.

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Wow, now that hits home I'm sure. Your family must be very proud of him, my sincere condolences and thanks, for his sacrifice helped rid the world of a great evil. My Dad was born in the same year and of course he thankfully survived the Pacific theatre of war coming back home in 1946.

 

[Adonia]

A special remembrance of all the soldiers and marines who died on those little islands in the Pacific like Vella Levella, New Britain, Bougainville, Kolombangara, and a host of other nasty little places reeking of muck, continuous rain, insects, unbelievable heat, disease, and an enemy that never surrendered. Islands full of nothing but misery to the men who fought there and especially those who paid the ultimate price in those out of the way places that never made the headlines back in the states.

So I say a sincere thank you to all those men who died so that the great evil of that time would vanish and liberty continue on. Your sacrifice is not forgotten. (at least by me anyway).

 

[padredurand]

David and I enlisted together in October 1978.