davismanLV
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... it was about a 3 day weekend. I'm glad to have my soldier guy.... many can't say the same.... <3
In case you thought....
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Guildedagain
Enlightened Member
Abolish war
Cougar
Enlightened Member
I spent my two years in the Peace Corps, which can be plenty dangerous, too. I was hitchhiking down to Mombasa one time and got dropped off at the cutoff to Voi. I finally got picked up again by a truck driver who said (in Swahili) "Man, don't you know there are lions around here?"
Nice post, Tom!
Luckily, many towns, mine included, still have a Memorial Day parade. A nice reminder of what the day is really about.
walrus
Luckily, many towns, mine included, still have a Memorial Day parade. A nice reminder of what the day is really about.
walrus
Charlie Bernstein
Senior Member
I don't get it.
Guildedagain
Enlightened Member
It's very complicated on so many levels.
Memorial Day 2022: Facts, Meaning & Traditions
Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day started in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971 to honor those who served and died in wars.
www.history.com
davismanLV
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In the USA we have two holidays. Veterans Day is in celebration of all our people who've served in the military and supported our country. MEMORIAL day, is the one where we pay tribute to those who LOST THEIR LIVES, in service of our country. They're related, but not the same. In case you were confused.
Charlie Bernstein
Senior Member
Hm. I found "three-day weekend" in the article. I didn't know anyone thought that's what it's about.It's very complicated on so many levels.
Memorial Day 2022: Facts, Meaning & Traditions
Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day started in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971 to honor those who served and died in wars.
I get it now, though. Live and learn. Thanks!
fronobulax
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You need to get out more. Start with people who do not distinguish between the purpose or honorees of Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. Find a few who are so opposed to the United States military and involvement in foreign wars that they cannot acknowledge any good resulting from military service. Then add in a couple who are so opposed to "government" that they resent any government sanctioned holiday.
In the USA we have two holidays. Veterans Day is in celebration of all our people who've served in the military and supported our country. MEMORIAL day, is the one where we pay tribute to those who LOST THEIR LIVES, in service of our country. They're related, but not the same. In case you were confused.
I might add that it has evolved into including a remembrance of *anyone* who has passed, not necessarily just veterans.
walrus
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Don’t forget people who have no idea about any of it and just know that it’s a day off.
DrumBob
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You don't "get" what Memorial Day is about? Is that correct?
The OP was saying that it's not about the three-day weekend. It's about remembering all those who paid the ultimate price so we can have a three-day weekend and all our other freedoms. .
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Really? This is a new angle on it for me. I suppose it makes sense, but something about this angle feels like it might be hijacking Memorial Day. Seems like "All Souls Day" in the Fall would fit better for a time of remembrance. Speaking of remembering the deceased, my dad served in the army both in post-war Germany and post-war Japan. He saw some sights! He never owned or waved a flag or made a big deal out of either Veterans Day or Memorial Day, and July 4th was just a day for eating watermelon. He loved his time in the military (he was a sgt. MP). I've talked myself in a circle -- now I'm thinking of the deceased, veterans, and those who died in the military.
Not really, walrus. I mean, maybe people do that, but the national holiday is for honoring the dead who served the country in the armed forces. Well, at least that's my take. As a veteran, I certainly don't mind people honoring anyone who passed, but that's not why we have a holiday.
In any case, folks, happy Memorial Day. For those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, thank you for your service!
SFIV1967
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Well, and we have many members who don't live in the US... Complicated topic...
For us in Germany today was a public holiday called "Whit Monday" or Pentecost Monday, also known as Monday of the Holy Spirit, the holiday celebrated the day after Pentecost, a movable feast in the Christian liturgical calendar. It is moveable because it is determined by the date of Easter...
Ralf
For us in Germany today was a public holiday called "Whit Monday" or Pentecost Monday, also known as Monday of the Holy Spirit, the holiday celebrated the day after Pentecost, a movable feast in the Christian liturgical calendar. It is moveable because it is determined by the date of Easter...
Ralf
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fronobulax
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You perhaps need to get out more. I have several friends who commemorate family members who served and are now gone (for reasons not related to their service) and one or two who even include family veterans or current service members as part of Memorial Day.
If you're wearing the uniform - Armed Forces Day
If you wore the uniform - Veteran's Day
If you died while wearing the uniform - Memorial Day
Not perfect but steers the conversation in the right direction.
fronobulax
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To sort of veer - this thread is a discussion of what an American Holiday means. In the case of Christmas and Easter there is an uneasy peace between two understandings (sacred and secular) of what each holiday means. But Pentecost is unknown to many Americans and the Christians who do celebrate it take a smug pleasure that they are not sharing the holiday (holy day) with secular society.
I can certainly imagine a future where the US observation of Memorial Day is fragmented into traditionalists (died in service only) and modernists (served and are now dead) and they will coexist although perhaps not peacefully.
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I took Walrus to say that Memorial Day evolved in some cricles into an occasion for remembering anyone who had passed, even those who have never been in the military. Still sounds odd to me.
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I observed, as opposed to celebrated, it yesterday. I really don't remember feeling smug about it.
davismanLV
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Also, as long as we're muddying the waters a bit, I never say "HAPPY Memorial Day". It's a more solemn type holiday of remembrance of those who passed while defending our country in the military. Of course any celebration can be joyous with friends and family, but the overall feeling to me, is to honor those who died while in military service. So if you honor them with hot dogs, watermelon, beer or by prayer and testimonials or ALL of those things, it's about honoring the dead who didn't make it back from battle.