Memorial Day 2010
Memorial Day
commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in military service.
commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in military service.
No, it isn't about putting flowers on Aunt Sarah's grave --- though people do it. Our local cemeteries look like they got smacked by the plastic flower fairy.
No, it isn't about thanking living members of our military, though you will see feeble and mostly insincere attempts at that.
No, it isn't about remembering veterans, living and dead, though this is what normally happens. That, friends, is called Veteran's Day.
No, it isn't about the National Guard NASCAR, as their PAO keeps telling people.
And, NO, there should never be a greeting of "Happy Memorial Day"
Across the country today, cemeteries are covered in plastic flowers on graves of people who may never have known someone who served. The Boy Scouts, VFW and other organizations have placed flags on the graves of the people who were veterans. The local cemeteries are full of flags.
In most cemeteries, the graves that Memorial Day are about are just a few in the many.
Over the years I have written much about Memorial Day. Some day, I may even tell my most significant Memorial Day story, but this is not the year.
I have written about FLAGS IN at Arlington
I have written about Punchbowl National Cemetery where I spent every Memorial Day of my youth.
I have written about the Gold Star and the Blue Star
I have written about the Poppies
I have written about the American Cemeteries Abroad
I have shared Ben Stein's amazing speech "They Did God's Work"
I have written much about Rolling Thunder - you'll have to search for that one - or you can click on the tag Memorial Day and see all of my posts.
I have written about the fallen - told their stories.
We have lost friends and neighbors over the years. People who stepped forward and said, "Send Me" --- they are missed everyday, but especially today we think of them.... those we knew and those we did not.
On this solemn day - think of those who gave their lives for us, for this idea of America - think of those they left behind who hurt everyday, but especially today.
No, it isn't about thanking living members of our military, though you will see feeble and mostly insincere attempts at that.
No, it isn't about remembering veterans, living and dead, though this is what normally happens. That, friends, is called Veteran's Day.
No, it isn't about the National Guard NASCAR, as their PAO keeps telling people.
And, NO, there should never be a greeting of "Happy Memorial Day"
Across the country today, cemeteries are covered in plastic flowers on graves of people who may never have known someone who served. The Boy Scouts, VFW and other organizations have placed flags on the graves of the people who were veterans. The local cemeteries are full of flags.
In most cemeteries, the graves that Memorial Day are about are just a few in the many.
Over the years I have written much about Memorial Day. Some day, I may even tell my most significant Memorial Day story, but this is not the year.
I have written about FLAGS IN at Arlington
I have written about Punchbowl National Cemetery where I spent every Memorial Day of my youth.
I have written about the Gold Star and the Blue Star
I have written about the Poppies
I have written about the American Cemeteries Abroad
I have shared Ben Stein's amazing speech "They Did God's Work"
I have written much about Rolling Thunder - you'll have to search for that one - or you can click on the tag Memorial Day and see all of my posts.
I have written about the fallen - told their stories.
We have lost friends and neighbors over the years. People who stepped forward and said, "Send Me" --- they are missed everyday, but especially today we think of them.... those we knew and those we did not.
On this solemn day - think of those who gave their lives for us, for this idea of America - think of those they left behind who hurt everyday, but especially today.
4 comments:
No, it isn't about remembering veterans, living and dead, though this is what normally happens. That, friends, is called Veteran's Day.
One of my pet peeves, if not the biggest. Yet I always smile and say something like "It was my pleasure, my obligation..." and let it go at that. And I NEVER say "Happy Memorial Day."
Thanks for this, Cynthia. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Buck, for understanding!!!
Thank you for remembering those who gave all for us...
Great post..we must remember...lest we forget.
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