Celebrate Memorial Day

**James MacMillan** · 24th May 08, 10:03 PM

Total agreement - I observe the day and try to remember those that went before. I also take part in several ceremonies, usually at cemeteries or once at a monument. I feel that it should be a solemn day of remembrance, not just another holiday!

**parker_db** · 25th May 08, 08:16 AM

I have never served in the military (I was the son of a Navy Master Chief) but was around the men and women that served our country for my entire youth. After having been a part of this wonderful site and all that it offers I was reflecting on how many of the members are serving or in-active military.

On this Day of Remembrance, I am moved the offer my sincere and heart felt thanks, respect, and gratitude to you that have served, are serving and will serve our Great Country, for your sacrifice, dedication, and service to the United States of America. Your Service and value are beyond any words that I can put down on paper.

Thank You.

**kiltedinUSMC** · 25th May 08, 09:15 AM

This year is special to me I have lost two good friends this past year. One was in a auto accident out in town and another was killed by a roadside bomb a few weeks ago in Iraq. It puts this day of remembering them on a whole new level of meaning to me.

**Riverkilt** · 25th May 08, 09:15 AM

In my little town there's a ceremony at the cemetery tomorrow...same every year. VFW and a few hard core vets and families. But we're there, remembering. And, I do remember my ancestors who served in the olde olde wars. Knowing that service brings gratitude for what we have today.

Semper Fi
Ron

**EBlackall** · 25th May 08, 09:54 AM

Tomorrow, myself and several other unit members will be participating in the Memorial day service. I am an alternate for the firing party in case anything goes wrong. I'll probably end up a primary as I have done for most of my career.

As an MP, we are usually the ones called upon to perform these duties. A way to honor those that have gone before and paid the ultimate price by either giving their lives, or suffering in the most unimaginable ways, yet survive.

To all here, I challenge you to find a vet and thank him or her for their service.

You can't imagine, unless you've been there, what it's like to receive that thanks. Oh, and teach your kids as well. It's all the more touching to get that thanks from a child.

When that happens, I feel there is hope that this country can proceed along a better path and prosper as we all feel it should.

**Peter C.** · 25th May 08, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by EBlackall

Tomorrow, myself and several other unit members will be participating in the Memorial day service. I am an alternate for the firing party in case anything goes wrong. I'll probably end up a primary as I have done for most of my career.

As an MP, we are usually the ones called upon to perform these duties. A way to honor those that have gone before and paid the ultimate price by either giving their lives, or suffering in the most unimaginable ways, yet survive.

To all here, I challenge you to find a vet and thank him or her for their service.

You can't imagine, unless you've been there, what it's like to receive that thanks. Oh, and teach your kids as well. It's all the more touching to get that thanks from a child.

When that happens, I feel there is hope that this country can proceed along a better path and prosper as we all feel it should.

Well said EBlackall.

I am a British Vet and spend this weekend and the British remebrance Day honouring the memory of those who have fallen in past conflicts. Americans and Brits have after all fought side by side in most major conflicts for the last 100 years.

We brits had allmost continuous conflicts through the 19th century but I can not feel for the men who died in those wars. I honour the memories of those who died in and since the first world war.

So I can see that it may be difficult for younger people who have not been in the forces and not lived through any major conflicts or lost anyone they know, to appreciate the solemnity of this weekend. I don't have a problem with that. I just hope that nothing happens during their lives to make them understand our feelings.

Peter

**CelticRanger66** · 25th May 08, 12:39 PM

Thanks to All who have posted,
I spent today by getting up at dawn and getting kilted in my Army Tartan and watching to sun rise and saying a few verses from the Navajo enemy way ceremony that a Navajo medicine man taught me to find and keep inner peace. Then I went to Amelia to the Veterans Cemetary to place wreaths for a few friends of mine. Then I picked up my Father and Uncles and we went to our Family Cemetary in Appomattox County where members of my family dating back to 1792 are interred the rest are in Albemarle County back to 1710. We laid wreaths on my ancestors graves. My family has fought in all of America's wars as far back as the French and Indian war. And we have lost atleast one member in most of them. Then my uncle piped a few tunes. We drank a toast of single malt. Spent some time and we just got back. That is how my family spends our day of remembrance.

**davedove** · 25th May 08, 01:56 PM

I guess I have a sort of a middle of the road approach. I feel it can be both a day of remembrance and a day to celebrate our freedoms. I do, however, get discouraged by those who forget what the day is all about.

I served my tour, but I was certainly one of the lucky ones. I was never even close to combat and sat at a desk for most of my time. But I have shed more than a few tears for those who weren't lucky.

I currently work as a civilian for the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, and if what I do plays some small part in keeping one troop alive, I have made a difference.

**michaelbeeman** · 25th May 08, 02:08 PM

As a Veteran myself, I observe the Day keeping in my mind the sacrifice made by those before me.

**Frank McGrath** · 25th May 08, 08:39 PM

I am on the board of the local cemetary. It is my responsibility to line up Boy Scouts to help put flags on the graves of our veterans. I do not take this "job" lightly. Most of our veterans lived into their dotage. Some lost their lives in battle. When I place a flag, no matter which war the veteran served in, I have to stop and say thanks. These men served their country to make it ok for all of us to be able to do the things that we do under the banner of Freedom. I will enjoy the parade, I will sit through the speeches, but I will return to that hallowed ground to express my thanks these men and women that have laid down their lives for us, and for me. Visit your local cemetary. Read some of the monuments. Maybe someday there will be no need for war. Celebrate our vets.