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Have a reflective observed memorial day (Monday ) Americans

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Posted 5/26/2024 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Tomorrow may have different meaning for different Americans. It’s usually a Monday off work, combined with maybe a social summer type outdoor meal.

However, lets not forget, it is meant to remember Americans who fought for freedom, on the ground, in the skies or in the sea. Fallen or still living.

Although America has been in both some controversial and smaller wars after WW II; World War I and World War II specifically could’ve made the world a much different place if evil communism prevailed.

———————-

I am the first generation of American men (and those in my extended family ) who never had a draft card. So I honor those who served.

As I recently drove to two small cemeteries and one national cemetery, the reality of what they went through “settles” in my gut. It’s an eye-opener. Some people choose to ignore the past. But It can also be depressing for some, so I kind of understand.

Post Edited (astroman) : 5/27/2024 9:48:36 AM (GMT-8)

Posted 5/26/2024 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for posting that, astroman. Memorial Day is no longer observed as the day it was meant to be. It's not a day for sales on merchandise. It's not a day just to have a cookout. It's not a day meant to just someone a chance to get yard or housework done. It is meant to honor all those who have died in service of their country.

My dad was a WWII flight engineer on a B-29. My neighbor, like a second dad when I was growing up, was the pilot of a B-17 that flew missions over Germany. Both have passed. Anyone in any war who has passed should be remembered. It's a shame what so many of our once-revered holidays have become.
Posted 5/27/2024 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for this thoughtful post. I have been guilty in the past of forgetting what this day means. A wounded veteran at church drove the reality home some years ago. He explained that Veterans Day was a day of celebration to honor those who served. Memorial Day, on the other hand, was a day of mourning and remembering those who died and gave their lives to secure and maintain freedom. Freedom is not free. It cost someone their life.
Posted 5/27/2024 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, “walking by faith” - even I forgot how specific the two days are. Memorial day is specifically for the fallen during service.

Personally, I still figure those who served in the arm services during a war, then actually lived through it, and died naturally later on, still deserve memory on the same day though.

Amazingly a handful of the older war veterans in my extended family lived through combat. They died later on naturally, but certainly not without scars or lingering health issues from wartime. They had some amazing stories, (near movie worthy) but you had to pry the words out of them. I wish I knew more, as they have all now passed.

I am now the family keeper of their historical paperwork, WarTime postcards and personal artifacts, metals, photos, etc.

I don’t have kids to pass this on to- but there is a teen (Wartime history, buff ) in my extended family that has shown great interest in this stuff, which is a relief to me. I think he is the one who will end up with it. 🤔
Posted 5/28/2024 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
My Dad was in the Merchant Marines. He survived torpedoes of his ship on 2 separate occasions and spent 4 days wounded on a lifeboat before being rescued by an Argentine ship and taken to Brazil. He lived to be 93 years and 364 days old!!

Thanks to God, he never seemed to be terribly affected in a mental way. He had nightmares off and on for many years, but it was always about being chased and attacked by criminals in NYC or some other big city!!! He spent a year in navigation school in Brooklyn in the early 70’s. His memories of NYC seemed far more traumatizing than most of his sea experiences.
Posted 5/28/2024 5:12 PM (GMT 0)

astroman said...

Personally, I still figure those who served in the arm services during a war, then actually lived through it, and died naturally later on, still deserve memory on the same day though.

I agree. It’s always appropriate to hug a veteran or thank them for their service.

astroman said...

I am now the family keeper of their historical paperwork, WarTime postcards and personal artifacts, metals, photos, etc.

I don’t have kids to pass this on to- but there is a teen (Wartime history, buff ) in my extended family that has shown great interest in this stuff, which is a relief to me. I think he is the one who will end up with it. 🤔

That’s awesome!
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