BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?

Subject: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 29 May 04 - 03:31 PM

I'm watching the WWII Memorial dedication on the Mall in Washington. And am co-leading the Sunday service tomorrow in church on the subject.

Just curious about thoughts.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 29 May 04 - 03:38 PM

remembering my grandfather, who was gassed at Chateau Theirry in the War to End all Wars....

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 29 May 04 - 03:41 PM

I had a grand uncle who was gasses in WWI as well. My middle name Edward is from him. Luckily, that's the worst my family has had to deal with since the Civil War.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Peace
Date: 29 May 04 - 04:27 PM

My grandfather got some gas at Ypres. It's a time to remember and pray it doesn't happen again, and again, and again, and again, and . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Metchosin
Date: 29 May 04 - 04:54 PM

brucie, do they celebrate Memorial Day in Alberta? I know its got a reputation for being Texas North, but I didn't know Alberta shared American holidays as well.

Memorial Day means very little if anything here. Our counterpart, I believe, would be Remembrance Day on November 11th.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 29 May 04 - 05:33 PM

Memorial Day was established in the U.S. after the Civil War. Of course today it is a day to reflect on all the men and women who have died in military service to their country.

We also have Veterans Day in the U.S. - in November - probably tied to your Remembrance Day. It was originally Armistice Day, but changed because we've never figured out how to stop having war.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: dianavan
Date: 29 May 04 - 05:53 PM

Memorial Day is a memory for me. As a child it was a family reunion. We would meet at my grandmother's house and then drive to the cemetery where we busied ourselves cleaning and decorating the gravesites of our family. My grandfather was a vet that eventually died as a result of his injuries but we also honoured other deceased members of our family. It was a time that we were taught respect for the dead. You know - Don't yell, don't run and whatever you do, don't step on the graves!

I think it was more about supporting my grandmother who had 'lost' a husband, children and grandchildren. After we were finished at the cemetery, we would return to her house for a big potluck.

For my family its a tradition that is no longer relevant. My father was cremated so there is no grave to clean or decorate and his ashes are in a country far away. I don't even remember where my old, family graveyard is. My kids have never directly experienced the sorrow or aftermath of war.

In Canada, we have Remembrance Day and at school it is commemorated with an assembly. Students write poems and stories. Its very solemn and we always invite member of the local Legion. The focus is on finding peaceful solution to world problems.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Sorcha
Date: 29 May 04 - 07:09 PM

Not very much except the beginning of the summer capming season. I don't 'do' dead people. I honour our veterans and my own dead in my own ways. Veteran's Day (in Nov) doesn't mean much to me either.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: GUEST,AD
Date: 29 May 04 - 07:37 PM

3-day weekend!

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Peace
Date: 29 May 04 - 07:57 PM

No, M, but when I lived in the US I observed it as I do Remembrance Day in Canada. Sorry, didn't mean to imply we observed it here.

Bruce M

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: DougR
Date: 29 May 04 - 08:04 PM

Blackcatter said it all in the first sentence of his 5:33 PM post.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 29 May 04 - 09:51 PM

In Australia the big thing is ANZAC Day. The Police even unoffically offically, turn a blind eye to the 'Two-up' games which are by Law illegal.

You put two (pre-decimal) pennies on a stick (so the spin can't be tampered with in the hand) and throw them in the air and bet on how they land - 2 heads is a winner.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 30 May 04 - 07:02 AM

Being a pacifist, it is always a day of Mourning for me...xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 May 04 - 09:13 AM

Headquarters, Grand Army of the Republic

Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose, among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foe? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their death a tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and found mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this order effective.

By command of:
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 30 May 04 - 09:17 AM

Thanks, Blackcatter.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Peter T.
Date: 30 May 04 - 10:28 AM

They certainly could write back then, all those Biblical and Victorian cadences.

Can you imagine what a similar declaration would look like today from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, struggling to be profound, not to offend anyone, etc., requesting the "friendly aid of the public press"(!)?

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 04 - 11:24 AM

Despite having lost one family member in WWII, my dad and his other 3 brothers all being WWII vets, and all 3 of my uncles on my mother's side being WWII vets as well, we never celebrated Memorial Day as anything but the start of summer, and a long summer holiday weekend. We still don't, and that won't change. The only patriotic holiday my family ever celebrated is 4th of July, which we celebrate by watching the parade, going to the fireworks, having a barbeque, swimming and water skiing and volleyball, etc.

No mention of the patriotic holiday in our urban high school this year either. 2002 (the year after 9/11) celebrations where everyone made a big deal about the military holidays seems to have been an aberration.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Mudlark
Date: 30 May 04 - 01:31 PM

Thanks, Blackcatter, for the history...contrary to my understanding that this holiday was originally called Decoration Day, the one day a year communities convened to refurbish their cemetaries. It was still called that in Arkansas, when I lived there in the 80's (1980's that is!)...grass would be cut, trees pruned, plastic flowers (ack) refurbished. I thot it was originally for all dead, not just war-related dead.

For over 20 years John and I did a big art fair on Memorial Day Wkend, our most lucrative Sprng show. Studio potters for 30 years, almost all holidays got subsumed by art fairs, with not much time left over to ponder meanings. Home grown commercialism, I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 May 04 - 01:53 PM

Home grown commercialism plays a part in the weekend for a lot of consumers I think, so I'd have to agree with Mudlark on that score. I do have family and friends that live for these "big weekend" sales.

I also agree that for others it is the beginning of summer camping season too, or cabin season, or summer vacation season in general.

I don't know a soul who celebrates the military aspect of this holiday, despite knowing a ton of vets from WWII to Gulf War I. I was talking with our newly elected union rep for our school this past week about Memorial Weekend, just shooting the breeze about holiday weekend plans, etc. He is a Gulf War I vet. He said he and his family, which includes a couple of generations of Marines (him, his dad, one of his brothers, a great uncle, etc), never has "celebrated" the military part of the holiday, which they pretty much ignore like most Americans do. I have a brother in law who is a Marine vet of the Korean war, two cousins who served in Vietnam. None of them ever celebrates the military part of the holiday either.

Which begs the question, who really does recognize the military side of the holiday besides a handful of American vets, current military families who are kinda forced into recognizing it because it's what you do when you are in the military, and the TV news people who like the way all those white crosses in the cemetaries look on screen?

It is nice that the US has finally gotten round to building the memorial for the WWII vets, though it isn't the only in existence by a long shot (there is the Iwo Jima statue, for one, and countless WWII memorials around the country). But it is also pretty telling about us as Americans that it has taken this long for one to be built.

Of course, despite the fact that the majority of Americans don't celebrate or even really recognize (or care about?) the military aspect of Memorial Weekend, the holiday weekend is universally recognized as a nice three day weekend that celebrates summer, which is what I always thought of it being abut growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. So that is how we've always celebrated it--as one of three weekends of pagan summer worship!

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: GUEST,Penguin Egg
Date: 30 May 04 - 02:10 PM

I don't give it a second thought. My grandfather's brother, Lance Corporal Henry Hatcher of the Dorset Yeomanry was killed in Egypt during World War 1 by a sniper. In the 1930s and 1940s, the whole country use to stand still for a minute and remember the dead. However, my grandfather use to carry on working. When someone asked him why he didn't stop to remember the dead, he replied that he didn't need one minute a year to remember his brother because he thought about him all the time. Out of respect to my grandfather, I never give any thought to Memorial Day. Henry Hatcher has never been forgotten by our family.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 May 04 - 03:07 PM

Pentecost.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 May 04 - 04:32 PM

contrary to my understanding that this holiday was originally called Decoration Day

Mudlark - you're actually right to some extent. During the Civil War families on boths sides began to take care of the cemeteries, though it wasn't on a particular day. In many places, this was called Decoration Day. When the order of 1968 came out, it was completely ignored in the South (duh), and Decoration Days we kept unofficially. Memorial Day wasn't universally observed, even in the North for many years. It wasn't until the end of WWI that Memorial Day became a true national holiday. Some places, however kept calling it Decoration Day, siince old habits die hard. Of course WWI also was the impetus for Veterans Day (called Armistice Day, of course).

After WWII there was some feeling about keeping a special day like Armistic Day for the War, but since we had both VE and VJ Day, people felt that it was better to just lump it all together and call it Veterans Day.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Abby Sale
Date: 30 May 04 - 05:14 PM

Extract from Clicky:

Today, all who wear the uniform of the United States are serving at a crucial hour in history, and each has answered a great call to serve our Nation on the front lines of freedom. As we continue to fight terrorism and promote peace and freedom-, let us pray for the safety and strength of our troops, for God's blessing on them and their families, and for those who have lost loved ones.

On this Memorial Day, we honor all of our fallen soldiers, their commitment to our country, and their legacy of patriotism and sacrifice. By giving their lives in the cause of freedom, these heroes have protected and inspired all Americans.

In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as amended (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.
       ========================================================

Note 1. This, like many actual national Days, is requested by Congress to be Proclaimed by the President. (Some are law and binding, some are completely optional on his part.)

2. This day, by its nature, suits the government's policies. Some proclamations are twisted entirely out of their essence to suit politics. I have not actually counted, but it seems that most recent US Presidential commemorations clearly justify the War on Terror and the invasion of Iraq. I mean, religious, botanical, whatever.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 31 May 04 - 01:28 PM

In Germany, second last sunday of November. Widows and orphans assemble, growing fewer and fewer every year, accompanied by some younger friends, and the Town Magistrate. When the band plays the "Good Comrade" I can't stop the tears remembering my dear father KIA half a year before my birth (thanks to god and the Army authorities who granted him a leave before going into his last actions).
During the Eurogathering 2003 in Groningen I happened to be there at their memorial day. A church band played chorals, some with German tunes, and then the drummers came beating the death roll on muted drums covered with black. Behind them a real mass of mourners, some very young people among them. Couldn't stop shedding my tears again thinking of the great nonsense of war - and all those unnecessarily sharing the fate of my father, the fellow orphans, the widows.
I don't know whether I should cry when hearing the last post, but it just could be.

Wilfried

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 May 04 - 03:52 PM

I accept that it means a great deal to some people.

To me it's nothing more than a yearly reminder of the biggest collective mistakes the human race has ever made...and it's a warning: Don't do this again.

It disgusts me that it is used by some politicians and clerics as a rallying cry for further bloodshed.

Every soul who ever died on a battlefield was your own kin.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: GUEST,Charmion at work
Date: 31 May 04 - 04:54 PM

In Ottawa, Remembrance Day (11 November) is generally chilly with a nasty wind from the northwest or pelting rain, sometimes even sleet. Our family goes to the National War Memorial on Confederation Square, and my husband (still serving) and both my brothers (retired gunners) march with the contingent of peacekeeping veterans.

Thirty years ago, when I was in the service myself, the crowds were thin; today, if you come late, you may find yourself standing two blocks from the Cenotaph, unable to see even the flags for the crowd. Sometime in the 1990s, people started clapping when the contingents of veterans march into the square. I still find that a bit jarring, like clapping in church, but the old fellas wave at their grandchildren, and if they don't mind I don't. Some who have maintained their boyish figures even wear what's left of their uniforms; most at least their uniform cap.

I go to remember my Dad, a Royal Navy veteran, who always marched with the Navy contingent, and Himself, my scoundrel of a grandfather, who I remember in a wheelchair waving his stick at the band of the Black Watch, his old regiment, as they swung by. When I inevitably have to wipe my nose with my sleeve, I always have plenty of company. When the salute starts, fired by a battery on Parliament Hill, I always jump our of my skin, and half the city shakes.

Jewish people observe the anniversary of a death (the Jahrzeit) by visiting the grave to pray, and they place a pebble on the tombstone when they leave. Remembrance Day and Memorial Day work the same way, with wreaths and bouquets instead of a pebble.

I always thought the gloomy weather of November added an important sombre note to Remembrance Day. Certainly the anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Atlantic, observed on the first Sunday in May, is less atmospheric, as the parade is often held on the first really warm day of the spring, all a-bloom with daffodils and crocuses.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 04 - 05:19 PM

The US Veteran's Day, which is the true equivalent of the European/Canadian/Australian Remembrance Day in November, is even more ignored by the US citizenry than Memorial Day. It isn't even a holiday in the US for most people, who are required to work on the day (except for schools and government offices).

But then, many commercial businesses honor the war dead with Memorial Day sales, and a lot of people work on Memorial Day, unless they have office jobs.

Ironically, it's the working class who offers up most the war dead who don't get the day off. Gotta flip them burgers, and staff the Wal Marts and Targets for the middle manager leisure class whose kids don't go into military service, because they can afford not to--they get middle class government handouts to send the kids to college, pay for their SUVs, pay their mortgage, etc etc ad nauseum.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 31 May 04 - 07:30 PM

Frankly, a time to remember and think of those who served the nation. Living or deceased.

I grant that this started as "Decoration Day" and was a Civil War holiday. It has evolved, as have others, to encompass more wars. In fact, one of my radio listeners informed me, that it was not until the term of LBJ that it was officially named a National Holiday with that title.
            
In the South there is still another day set aside for the Confederate soldiers. In addition, now, to Memorial Day. In other nations there are, of course, similar days---Dedication Day (Australia) for example.

Just two thoughts now about the holiday and the military.
   
   I would like to see holidays such as this and Veteran's Day (Armistice Day) and President's Day --whatever that means since it was supposed to honor only 2 people individually--revert back to the real dates and not make 3 Day sales events out of them.

    As to the military --we are getting political here--we now have an all volunteer armed force. What it really means is that we have a force of mercenaries. People who, sadly, need the military to help in their education, livelihood, and substinence. Patriotism rarely enters into the equation.   Need does!!.
   
    I have grandchildren---boys. I would not like to see them drafted. That said, I add that conscription has historically been our bulwork, our strength. Those who volunteered then felt the call.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 31 May 04 - 07:39 PM

Frankly, a time to remember and think of those who served the nation. Living or deceased.

I grant that this started as "Decoration Day" and was a Civil War holiday. It has evolved, as have others, to encompass more wars. In fact, one of my radio listeners informed me, that it was not until the term of LBJ that it was officially named a National Holiday with that title.
            
In the South there is still another day set aside for the Confederate soldiers. In addition, now, to Memorial Day. In other nations there are, of course, similar days---Dedication Day (Australia) for example.

Just two thoughts now about the holiday and the military
   
   I would like to see holidays such as this and Veteran's Day (Armistice Day) and President's Day --whatever that means since it was supposed to honor only 2 people individually--revert back to the real dates and not make 3 Day sales events out of them.

    As to the military --we are getting political here--we now have an all volunteer armed force. What it really means is that we have a force of mercenaries. People who, sadly, need the military to help in their education, livelihood, and substistence. Patriotism rarely enters into the equation.   Financial need, however, does!!.
   
    I have grandchildren---boys. I would not like to see them drafted. That said, I add that conscription has historically been our bulwork, our strength. Those who volunteered then felt the call. Others were drafted.

   At this point I must add that historically and constitutionally a Pres. needed Congress to declare a war. It was not a personal thing that involved putting our children in harm's way for whatever murky reasons that seem to be now de reguaire.

   Finally, if conscription be reenacted then the Constitution should also be followed with regard to Congress (the people's choices)to vote for any declaration of hostilities (the new loophole for waging war). Not something like the events that have occurred in the past 2 years.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Kim C
Date: 31 May 04 - 07:40 PM

My father was a Korean War veteran. He earned a Purple Heart, which is now in my possession. I'm sure most of you know that the Korean War doesn't generally get a lot of recognition.

(I have posted this next part before, so please excuse me if you've already heard it.) When Dad's health was failing, he put away his stubborn pride and appealed to the Veterans Administration for help with his very expensive medications. Already below poverty level, he was told he made $50 a month too much to qualify for VA assistance.

He felt very betrayed, that he had risked his life to serve his country, and the VA wouldn't help him out AT ALL over a measly $50. (To answer your question, the answer is no, he would not take any help from me.) He specifically requested no military anything at his funeral, or at his gravesite.

Anyhow... that being said... I am proud that my dad served his country when he thought it was necessary.

Also this Memorial Day, I can't help but remember my cousin, John B. Feather, who died at Andersonville Prison in September 1864, only 19 years old. He could have been anybody.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 31 May 04 - 07:41 PM

OOPS!! sorry about the 2 postings---seems when you bump into the tab button it sometimes sends.

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Steve in Idaho
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 12:54 PM

More men than I can recall sitting here. All dead. Uncles, father, Brothers, Marines, Army, Navy, Air Force, of all of the nations of the world that have died for what they believed.

I usually put on my uniform and go to the local cemetary with the Air Force detachment from the base where I work. Or with the Marine Corps League to place a wreath.

Then to the VFW hall for a lunch and to buy the veterans a round for their service.

And I remember the veterans on this board. The ones who struggle with their war and how they have managed to integrate it into a space that really does not care much about what they did nor why they did it. But instead has to throw a political piece into their remembrances and then snivel about the politicians that do it.

It's not about politics or right or wrong. It's about remembering the folks who died for their beliefs.

Just my .01 on the subject.

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Chief Chaos
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 02:10 PM

I and my family have been very fortunate not to have lost any of our members in service since the U.S. Civil War.

To counter a few posts - military personnel and families are not in any way required to observe Memorial Day. That they continue to do so gladdens my heart. They share, in a small way, the loss and suffering of the families of those who were lost or MIA. They share in the sacrifices made to defend this country by watching Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, etc. wave good-bye from pier side or on the flightline, bravely facing long deployments, not knowing if they will ever see that loved one again.

Yes, the military is a very good place to learn a vocation. It's a good place to go to become a mature citizen rather than stay on the streets and struggle in today's society and economy. Does patriotism come into play? I'd like to think so, but it's not necesarily so. One things for sure, it's not a place for the weak or the lazy. There is a job to be done that requires sacrifices above and beyond the worth of paycheck or pension and sometimes the ultimate sacrifice is made.

Most of us who do celebrate it are probably doing the same thing that any civilian actually celebrating it is. Remembering loved one's lost and praying that it never need happen again.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: open mike
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 02:32 PM

The strawberry music festival happens twice annually..
on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends...both 3 day holidays.
Usually this marks the beginning of the summer, and music
festivals happen during this season. In the past, schools
used to be in session from after Labor Day to before Memorial Day.
These days they usually start classes Before labor day
(end aug/beginning sept.) and end After Memorail (end of may)
this seems unfair.
(it was said in the past that the 3 main reasons for people
becoming teachers were June, July and August.,-summer vacation)
Now-a-days some schools hold classes year-round, and the
vacation times are at different times...often one month
in December, around Christmas, at Easter time and in the summer.

For many Memorial Day marks the besginning of the festival,
camping and barbeques for the summer.

I see on a new calendar the day 9-11 is labelled as "Patriot's
Day" and "Remembrance Day" depending on the calendar editor.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 07 Jun 04 - 05:54 PM

I had relatives in the US, German, Polish, Russian, and Japanese armies. Memorial Day reminds me that making Bush president was an idiotic act; Bush or any like minded fanatic. We're just lucky Bush isn't as talented as Hitler.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Chief Chaos
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 01:21 PM

By the way.

The U.S. forces are not mercenaries.
Mercenaries fight for whoever, fight whenever, fight wherever as long as the price is right. If we were mercenaries all Al Quaida or Saddam would have to do would be to fill our bank accounts with some hard currency and we'd pack our things and go home.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jun 04 - 01:57 PM

Right. It's the US contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan that are the mercenaries.

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Gda Music
Date: 09 Oct 18 - 04:30 PM

HAVE A HAPPY DAY to celebrate "Double Ten" of the R.O.C. on 10th October.
A calypso look by Lord Kitchener based on those annual celebrations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPIqHSLcJJg

GJ

Subject: RE: BS: What's Memorial Day mean to you?
From: Donuel
Date: 09 Oct 18 - 07:28 PM

"And I remember the veterans on this board. The ones who struggle with their war and how they have managed to integrate it into a space that really does not care much about what they did nor why they did it. But instead has to throw a political piece into their remembrances and then snivel about the politicians that do it.

It's not about politics or right or wrong. It's about remembering the folks who died for their beliefs."


I would concur only if the dead were old enough to really know their own beliefs. Beliefs come later in life. Training is what is given to the young and ignorant.