Celebrate Memorial Day

**CelticRanger66** · 24th May 08, 06:53 PM

Maybe its just me but I really don't like it when it is said" Happy Memorial Day " or we are "celebrating " Memorial Day. To me it is a day of remembrance of soldiers lost not a Celebration and it is patently not happy. I have 18 friends of mine throughout my years of service that have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. I have bled also having earned the right to wear the purple heart twice.

Don't want to start any arguments just stating my opinion. My wife tells me to lighten up.

Any other opinions?

CR66

**Splash_4** · 24th May 08, 06:59 PM

Well stated sir..... I have started saying "in rememberence" for this weekend. My last blog entry says something very similar.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 24th May 08, 07:35 PM

I do understand your sentiment, Top. But, should people also not "celebrate" what those sacrifices have given to freedom? Just a thought...

**CelticRanger66** · 24th May 08, 07:44 PM

Yes Brad, But a all you can eat BBQ or getting drunk on the lake or getting that new car on sale aren't the right kind of celebrations. But I just wanted to see If I should do as my wife says and lighten up. But anyway just an ol' veteran venting.

**macwilkin** · 24th May 08, 07:46 PM

I always say I am "observing" Memorial Day.

What makes me sad is how the original history of the holiday is largely forgotten, even by those observing it. Too often at our own local ceremony, the wars with no living veterans are forgotten about in the services.

Regards,

Todd

**macwilkin** · 24th May 08, 07:50 PM

Information:

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

T.

**Tattoo Bradley** · 24th May 08, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by CelticRanger66

Yes Brad, But a all you can eat BBQ or getting drunk on the lake or getting that new car on sale aren't the right kind of celebrations. But I just wanted to see If I should do as my wife says and lighten up. But anyway just an ol' veteran venting.

I hear you, for sure. I certainly agree with you and, like Todd, I "observe" Memorial Day.

**TheSp8** · 24th May 08, 09:09 PM

Aye, for us it's an Observance. I'm in a CSS MOS but a COL and a LTC will be honored on Mon. Not focusing on the fact that such men died but being thankful that such men lived. I am happy not to be in the dust this year.

YMOS,
Tony

**Finn** · 24th May 08, 09:11 PM

I'm with you. I always recall my fallen comrades and others I've never known.
I don't much care for the modern "observance." As a nation we have no sense of history and little respect. We're moaning about gas prices mucking up our weekend plans and not recognizing the sacrifices made and the efforts of those now serving.

And yes, lighten up!

**Rogerson785** · 24th May 08, 09:27 PM

You are right there is no celebration for Memorial Day, it is not like the 4th of July, and however, some people grieve through the celebration of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice or who have been wounded both physically and emotionally I still try to honor others in my special way.

This morning while most of the city of Manhattan Kansas was sleeping my fellow lodge brothers and I were putting up the American flags along Poyntz Ave., and towards the end, I came across one special flag. This flag saw one too many parades, survived gale force winds, and torrential downpours, which silently honored the men and women that serve this country 24/7. Therefore, my duty to the flag was to see it too got a day of rest and the respect that it deserves, so back into the bed of the truck it went to its final resting place in a ceremony to be carried out by the Boy Scouts.