USA: Memorial Day - Monday - 28 May

[The Seeker]

Air Force Major Terry Dutcher, of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, visits the grave of her son, Army Corporal Michael
Avery Pursel, who died serving in Iraq in 2007 at age 19, surrounded by flags placed by soldiers at each grave
for the annual “Flags-In†in honor of Memorial Day, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.


I did not title this thread "Happy Memorial Day" because that would only lend itself to the idea that has been lost over the years as to what Memorial Day is all about.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May.[SUP] [/SUP] Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

It should be a somber remembrance of the fallen who willingly laid their lives on the alter of freedom.

 

[DaveM]

To all those brave men may you forever be remembered

 

[Rocky]

Memorial Day is a day for reflection and remembrance. There's nothing "happy" about it.
The USA armed forces certainly has suffered huge losses of life in foreign wars over the past 100 years. The numbers are staggering.
May they never be forgotten.

 

[hemibee]

All gave some, some gave all. May we never forget those who gave all.

 

[devo]

Memorial Day is a day for reflection and remembrance. There's nothing "happy" about it.
The USA armed forces certainly has suffered huge losses of life in foreign wars over the past 100 years. The numbers are staggering.
May they never be forgotten.

Very well put Rocky.

 

[The Seeker]

In honor and memory of my Father, Gunnery Sergeant Kenneth C. Turner, USMC

 

[hemibee]

Soldier

I saw a burial with a bugler playing taps;
I turned to my father, “what happened?” I asked.
He clutched my hand and with a quiver in his voice,
he began to explain and his eyes became moist.

“My son,” he said, “this is rather difficult for me;
for an old veteran like myself this is tough to see.
In that coffin lies a genuine patriotic warrior,
an honest-to-God hero, an American soldier.

I appreciate that soldier and the service he gave,
and I honor his sacrifice as he’s laid in his grave.
He was honorable, selfless, courageous, and bold;
please remember him son, as you grow old.

The value of his service, I must explain,
if not remembered, will be lost in vain.
As a nation we’re nothing without soldiers like him;
and failing to remember would be a terrible sin.”

I listened in awe as my father spoke,
it seemed as if his heart were broke.
I suddenly remembered when he went to war,
and when he returned I thought nothing more.

I never asked why he walked with a limp,
and I didn’t care about why he was sick.
I was too busy enjoying the life that I had,
to realize that I had it because of dad.

I finally understood what my dad was about,
and it hurt so bad I cried out loud.
He sacrificed so much so I could be free,
and his battle scars were suffered for me.

It was my father’s spirit that spoke to me that day;
thank God I finally understood what he had to say.
I saluted his coffin as they laid him to rest,
and I thought about the medals pinned on his chest.

That I didn’t honor him sooner, I will always regret;
and I pledged that day to never again forget.
I’m proud that my dad was a patriotic warrior;
I’m honored to be the son of an American soldier.


Ed Coet, Major, USA (Retired)

 

[hemibee]

Posting with Tapatalk for iPhone.

 

[hemibee]

Posting with Tapatalk for iPhone.

 

[Gromit]

Thanks for this post Seeker and to all the contributors. Sadly, the sentiment behind many public holidays has been lost by commercialism and they become just another 'bbq' day.
Personally, I don't like it when huge national sports events are played on days such as Memorial Day - for me, it is one of the contributing factors as to why the sentiment is lost.

In honour and memory of all those brave ones who give their lives so that we, me, can live in safety and peace and democracy.

 

[Rocky]

Thanks for this post Seeker and to all the contributors. Sadly, the sentiment behind many public holidays has been lost by commercialism and they become just another 'bbq' day.
Personally, I don't like it when huge national sports events are played on days such as Memorial Day - for me, it is one of the contributing factors as to why the sentiment is lost.

In honour and memory of all those brave ones who give their lives so that we, me, can live in safety and peace and democracy.

I agree with that.
The fact that those folks can enjoy their shopping spree and sports events is because so many gave their lives so these events and their participants can be done and enjoyed in complete freedom.
History fades quickly in the minds of the general public and it's all about "me, and me now."

 

[hemibee]

For those that fell in Vietnam, you are not forgotten in this household.


[video=youtube;bynVL4XezXg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bynVL4XezXg[/video]


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[The Seeker]

For those that fell in Vietnam, you are not forgotten in this household.

Nor here!!

58,000+ of my generation quite a few of which I personally knew CRY

Thanks Hemi!!!