Memorial day

[Dr Mac]

BTW, for anyone with a relative who served in the Second World War, I would encourage you to search and/or register them on the National WWII Memorial's registry:

http://www.wwiimemorial.com/default....&subpage=intro

Regards,

Todd

Thanks very much, Todd, for including the link to the registry. Didn't know it existed. Now I can register my deceased Dad there. Yes, Memorial Day is a needed reminder of freedom's price.

[raibeart_dubh]

Don't worry Puffer, I always remember. My great-grandfather was a WWI veteran and several of my friends are currently serving.

[Dan R Porter]

I thank all those that have served and put they're life in harms way on freedoms behalf.

As a civilian I will remember the sacrafices our heros, alive and gone, have made.

[dfmacliam]

I will always carry the memory of the 271 Marines, Sailors, and Soldier, killed in Beirut, Lebannon from 1982-1984. I proudly served with these men, and I carry their memories with me till the day I die.

For these men, and every other, who sacrificed themselves, so people can live free. I salute them, one and all.

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

Lest we forget... It is a solemn charge to us all. Since I got back from Vietnam in 1970, it has been my privilege to serve in the Honor Guard for our little Legion post Memorial Day service many times, only missing when my wife had surgery.

Over the years, I have helped bury the last WWI vet in our post, and now most of the WWII vets, including my father. This is duty, too, I think, and one I am proud and honored to perform. The ones of us lucky enough to get back owe it to the rest.

Thanks for the reminder to us all, Puffer. We must never forget.

[davedove]

We all have to be careful to remember the meaning behind the day. Too many of us get caught up in the long weekend. Now, I fully agrre with enjoying the freedom to do whatever you want with your day, but please remember those who fell to protect that right.

[Brandane]

In the UK our Rememberance day is 11 November with country wide Rememberance Parades on the closest Sunday to the 11th. It is so important that we do not forget the sacrifices of our service men and women. Please accept my appreciation from across the pond. Rob.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

In the United States November 11th (Armistice Day) is now commemorated as Veterans Day and, as is the case with Remembrance Day in the UK, it honours all veterans.

Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) traces its origins to the immediate post civil war period and was instituted by the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans organization composed of former Union soldiers. The purpose of the day was to tidy up, and "decorate", with small American flags, the graves of fallen Union soldiers. Over the course of years the focus of Memorial Day was expanded to include tending the graves of all veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Similar commemorations were (and still are) held in the South to honour the fallen of the Confederacy.

[macwilkin]

In the United States November 11th (Armistice Day) is now commemorated as Veterans Day, and as is the case with Remembrance Day in the UK, it honours all veterans.

Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day) traces its origins to the immediate post civil war period and was instituted by the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans organization composed of former Union soldiers. The purpose of the day was to tidy up, and "decorate", with small American flags, the graves of fallen Union soldiers. Over the course of years the focus of Memorial Day was expanded to include tending the graves of all veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Similar commemorations were (and still are) held in the South to honour the fallen of the Confederacy.

Spot on, Rathdown. In my first post in this thread I posted a link to the original order by John "Blackjack" Logan to the GAR establishing Memorial Day in the 1880s, although as you mentioned, the customed had already been established in both the North and South.

We all have to be careful to remember the meaning behind the day. Too many of us get caught up in the long weekend. Now, I fully agrre with enjoying the freedom to do whatever you want with your day, but please remember those who fell to protect that right.

There is a movement afoot to request Congress to restore the traditional observance of Memorial Day to May 30:

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

As a member of several hereditary societies honouring US forces, I support their cause 100%.

is that for everyone who served? I can't find my Grandpa

If you can't find your grandfather, that means he has not been registered yet. The web site will allow you to resigter a veteran with basic information -- branch of service, unit, theatre in which they served, etc.

Regards,

Todd