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Today is Memorial Day...

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Posted 5/25/2015 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Today is Memorial Day...

... the day we stop to remember and honor all those who have given their lives in defense of our country.

As you may know, Memorial Day began as Decoration Day in 1868, a day set aside to revere the memory of those troops who had fallen during the American Civil War. It was eventually formalized as a federal holiday in 1971, and is now observed the last Monday of May.

There have been many pronouncements about this day and its meaning. Personally, I have always felt that General George Patton came pretty close to summarizing the spirit of this occasion when he said:

"Let us not grieve that such men died. Rather let us give thanks that such men lived."

A salute to the memory of all those who have served and died for us so nobly.

May they forever rest in peace.
Posted 5/25/2015 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Well said GyGuy, how could I say more. Bravo!
Posted 5/25/2015 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all who served, you are a brave bunch and we wouldn't be the nation we are without you
Posted 5/25/2015 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Here is my Memorial Day post: andrewsviewoftheweek.com/2015/05/25/a-memorial-day-poem/

It includes a poem.

Andrew
Posted 5/25/2015 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank 81gyGuy for the great post.

As you point out, Memorial Day is the day on which we remember those who have given their lives in service to the nation.

The rest of us, the lucky ones who served but came home to friends and loved ones, receive the nation's gratitude on Veterans Day.

Those currently serving are honored on Armed Forces Day and Armed Forces Week.

Every year, it seems to me that the line is becoming blurred between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and I have begun to worry that at some point, some genius in Washington is going to say, "Hey, we don't need two days. Let's consolidate these two holidays into one, since so many people don't understand the difference anyway."

I hope that doesn't happen. It's always appropriate to thank a veteran for his/her service, and it's certainly always appropriate to thank the men and women who are currently serving. But, on Memorial Day our focus, our thoughts, our prayers, should be on those who made the ultimate sacrifice, many of whom are buried now in cemeteries overseas, such as the World War One Meuse-Argonne cemetery (14,000 plus), the Luxembourg American Cemetery (5,076 who never came home) or any one of the 23 other permanent American military cemeteries cared for by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

It's a great day for cookouts and get-togethers with friends, for planting the garden, and for shopping, but I hope we will all take time to remember those who have paid so dearly for the freedoms we take for granted.
Posted 5/25/2015 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
I know memorial day is to remember the fallen, those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, but I also count it as a day to also remember those whose sacrifices didn't lead to their demise and to thank them as well- both still in service and retired. If you ask me, every chance possible should be used for both, but no- none of the days should be combined.

Many are still living and facing their own demons and you never know when a simple thank you can turn a depressed and deeply affected soldier from becoming another victim of war. The PTSD many suffer is very real and still taking our countrymen and women.

We don't do enough for those who serve- past, present and future and they continue to strip their benefits and assistance every year.

I wish I was close enough to place a wreath on my grandfather's grave today and give him a salute.
Posted 5/25/2015 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
I am away from home and in the county where both my father and grandfather are buried. I visited my grandfather's grave yesterday (Cpl, USA, WWI) and my father's just short while ago (ETM2, USN, WWII). They are both suitably decorated this Decoration Day.

And both suffered from, and my father died of, PC. As I sit here on a beautiful early summer Maine afternoon, with the lilacs blooming and scenting the air, on the land my grandfather bought and we all loved, all I can do is remember. The flag at the American Legion hall at half-staff the day we buried my grandfather. Baseball (Red Sox), blueberry pie, lobster and steamers. Learning to fish...and clean 'em. Grandma playing the organ at the Congregational Church. Loons calling across the lake at night. I offer this poem, by my father...

I

Loons
Diving, Swimming, Laughing
Taking care of the young
Beautiful

II

Dawn, Misty, Loon Cry
Nature speaks from the distant past
Sun rises, day comes

In Memoriam by RES 7/14/26-10/18/04
Posted 5/25/2015 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
That's a beautiful post, Halbert. After reading that, I feel moved to post the concluding paragraphs from my grandfather's World War One journal. It clearly shows the PTSD is not a new phenomenon.

"We disembarked at Camp Merritt, New Jersey. From there we were sent to Camp Grant, Ill., where on March 5, 1919, we were discharged from service by our Government.

Discharged from service, but not from the memories which constantly invade our minds. Ghosts of the past constantly parade before us whenever we close our eyes. Our minds gaze out over the battlefields at the lifeless, bleeding forms. Pale faces, half-starved, half-conscious, silent, grim, yet determined, they march -- the boys of battle. Determined youths with torn, muddy uniforms, marching through hell to either death or disablement. Life-long infirmities caused from wounds, poison gas, or nervous strain. All these pry at our minds. Dragged up through a clouded memory from a distant past these grotesque figures dance crazily amidst a hideous hell of glare from bursting shells. In our ears there is a din that gets louder and louder. Shells and bombs screaming and hissing through the air. Destruction and death.

This was written when I came home from the war. Many years have passed since then. Other wars have come and gone. Memories have grown dim, are not quite so vivid now. Even the terrible nightmares come but seldom.

The sweetheart I left behind became my wife when I returned. From this union came four children. I thank God for my family, for the grandchildren, who with their many interruptions keep my mind from wandering too far back.

Always in my heart, as in the hearts of many, many other men, is this fervent prayer: "God, please never let there be another war."

I was fortunate enough to be one of those grandchildren he mentions.
Posted 5/25/2015 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,
I hope your commemorative day is as respectful and meaningful as our ANZAC day ( Australian and New Zealand Army Core). I am sure it is.
Our services on the day always contain an extract from a poem called the Ode of Remembrance and it goes like this.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

The crowd then repeats "we will remember them", then
"lest we forget" is also read and repeated by the crowd.
The last post is played on the bugle.
At a dawn remembrance service this bring shivers up the spine. Not sure if this extract is used elsewhere??? in the world?

So, to your serviceman and servicewoman, I also pay my respects.
Regards
Greg
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