Decoration day known today as Memorial Day has become another holiday for many to celebrate a 3 day weekend and beginning of summer. What a shame ! A dishonor to say the least. How many have said to you, " What are ya doing over Memorial Day"?
Are you going to the beach John, or have a cookout? How about you Jane, you going to the pool party or hanging out jamming?
I have heard everything from Happy Memorial Day to have a good time and don't forget to party hard ! How often have you heard, are you placing flowers on the graves at the
National Cemetary? Are you going to the VA hospital? Are you planning on watching the laying of the wreath at Arlington? Have you ever been asked about your loved ones who are veterans, " How are they feeling this Memorial Day". Does Uncle Joe need some company or will he feel better looking at some pictures or maybe sitting down by the lake reflecting? You don't hear these questions. Again, we have been guilty of being dumbed down to the importance of sacrafice of those who gave the ultimate.
IGTNT is a group that dedicates every day to the fallen soldier. Thank you IGTNT.
Decoration Day , as it was called in the beginning, after the civil war, was noted that southern women were placing flowers on the graves of confederate soldiers. The Northern women started doing this as well. For awhile, there were two separate holidays.. I recall there being a Yankee memorial Day and a Southern Memorial Day.
It was finally combined into one day.
Many combat veterans watch movies on this day and many stay in bed. Most reflect and look up old buddies from the service. Some are alone with their thoughts and memories that flash into their brain as vivid as if they were losing their friends and brother and sister in arms right at the time, no matter how long ago or far away. They aall share one thing in common. THEY know the meaning of Memorial Day. They are a little sadder and more reflective on this day.
Decoration/Memorial Day should be a reverance day and about our fallen soldiers. It is a day of honor. Other countries note this and find America's celebration of death less than honorable. America has a lot of less than honorable going on these days. Endless wars, bad treatment to the wounded warriors and veterans being left behind.
I refer to the diary by Mimi that did not get much recognition but a shame... Please read from a special by Amy Goodman. http://www.dailykos.com/...
http://www.usmemorialday.org/...
People of other nations sometimes show more of the true spirit of Memorial Day more than we do here. For example, a 2001 U.S. Memorial Day Guestbook entry from a citizen of the Netherlands states:
"In 1999 I laid flowers at the grave of a young U.S. fighter pilot who was KIA in my village in 1945. In the Netherlands I know of schools 'adopting' graves of Allied servicemen, keeping those graves in excellent condition! Does anybody know of adopting graves in the U.S. by schools?
Sincerely,
Paul Patist
Castricum, The Netherlands - Tue May 15 04:50:29 2001"
How many graves of our fallen do we in America leave dishonored by leaving their resting places forgotten and neglected?
I have become so discouraged, I am still going to advocate for veterans but will be dissolving UVA soon. The yellow magnet, lapel wearing, chickenhawk or ignorant patriotism displayed in this country is dispicable and yes I blame George W Bush. King of the Chickenhawks. He ruined this country and any respect that was given started to really perish when he refused the honor that should have been given to those returning to Dover with honors. President Obama has honored the fallen and wounded in a very good light but like so much else, there has been so much bad done by the previous administration that it will take generations to repair
On 17 of March 1989 Senator Inouye [HI] introduced a bill to the Senate which called for the restoration of the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th. Every new Congress since then (every two years), Mr. Inouye has faithfully re-introduced the bill. Several times a companion bill was introduced to the House.
As eloquently stated by Mr. Inouye in his introductory remarks to the bill he introduced in 1999:
"Mr. President, in our effort to accommodate many Americans by making the last Monday in May, Memorial Day, we have lost sight of the significance of this day to our nation. Instead of using Memorial Day as a time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by Americans in combat, many Americans use the day as a celebration of the beginning of summer. My bill would restore Memorial Day to May 30 and authorize our flag to fly at half mast on that day. In addition, this legislation would authorize the President to issue a proclamation designating Memorial Day and Veterans Day as days for prayer and ceremonies honoring American veterans. This legislation would help restore the recognition our veterans deserve for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our nation." (1999 Congressional Record, page S621)
Bill Status:
Every Congress, Mr. Inouye [HI] again re-introduces the bill. It gets read, and then referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. As of today, no further major action has been taken by the Committee on this bill
Remember the fallen this weekend and please understand that most veterans do not feel comfortable whooping it up at the local pool party. Please excuse Uncle John or Aunt Jane if they seem to be bringing the party down with occupied minds or tears welled in their eyes. It is not that they don't want you to have a good time. They just want you to remember why you are at home this Monday instead of work. Somebody died. Somebody put on that uniform and shed blood. Remember that before you throw another steak on the grill. Remember someone is missing a child, a partner, a friend, a parent. Someone is dead. Someone stood on a foreign shore and did not come home.
Please remind people of that fact and to remember to honor that sacrafice.
Stay safe...Be well and honor our fallen.