Memorial day, Just the way I see it.....

**Texman** · #1 05-28-2018, 05:20 PM

So, I have been low key most of this weekend.

I have watched some social media that my wife covers,
(I dont' fb, but she does, and she and my son are away on
a band trip).

I have a sincere attitude toward those who do not understand
the difference in the various holidays.

"Happy Memorial Day". No. It is not happy. Memorial day (here
in the United States) is a solemn day to remember those who GAVE THEIR
LIFE in the service of their country. Friends (most in combat), family (who chose to go), etc.

"Happy Veterans Day". Ok. For some, it is happy. It is to recognize those
who served and survived.

IT'S NOT THE SAME THING!!!

Wishing someone a "Happy Memorial Day", "Thanking those who serve
and continue to serve".

Get it right!!! I have been there, done that. The worst insult is to
confuse someone who is still here, with someone who is not.
Our public needs to know the difference.

Here is why I am this outspoken today.

I went to eat at a local eatery after doing some work
around the old homestead I was noticed as a vet.
I was thanked for my service.

21 years, and I still see my family every day. I launched into a
dissertation as to why today is a SPECIAL day for the memory of
why we recognize MEMORIAL day.

The poor, publicly uneducated worker behind the counter
did not understand why I understood the difference.

Please, from a vet, someone who came home, do not give
in to the misinformation.

You do not have to be from the United States. Many countries
have a "Remembrence Day", or some variation.

When some one says "Happy Memorial Day", please help educate
them to the difference in the various days.

Thank you for listening.

**Don Boose** · #2 05-28-2018, 06:26 PM

Well said, Ray.

Don

**missileer** · #3 05-28-2018, 08:01 PM

I second that!
John

**herky** · #4 05-28-2018, 10:07 PM

yes in uk and also on new zealand there is no equivelant of veterans day,in uk they have remembrance day which is 11 november.in nz some also recognise this due to european ties and then there is ANZAC day which is specific to new zealand and australia which many mark as remembrance day,''Happy remembrance day or happy anzac day would not be welcomed comment.
On a personal note the one phrase that gets my back up instantly is the engravings on many war memorials specificly following world war one .The phrase ''The glorious dead '' i hate to see it /okl my rant over

**Butelczynski** · #5 05-29-2018, 10:17 AM

In Canada we get idiots saying that Remembrance Day is somehow glorifying war. I always felt exact opposite since it's a remembrance of those who perished and spend their lives keeping others at bay. There is nothing happy or cheerful about it. It's a time for reflection.

**MichaelS** · #6 05-29-2018, 03:27 PM

Texman,

You and I have been fighting the same battle for years! I do not know what the solution is. All weekend long I have been saying to everyone I meet in person or online.

"Have a Thoughtful and Thankful Memorial Day"

It goes right in one ear and out the other.

**airdave** · #7 05-29-2018, 04:16 PM

Maybe we should say "have a sad Memorial Day".
Because I think everyone should be a little sad on this day, and all remembrance days.

FYI Remembrance Day is originally Armistice Day celebrating the end of WW1 for the British Commonwealth.
It was modified to be a memorial day for those who fought and died in WW1.
In Canada it has been unofficially expanded to honour all those lost in all conflicts
and those who have fought in defense of Canada and the Commonwealth up to now.

Canadian Veterans Affairs claims the week leading up to Nov 11 as Veterans Week.
We don't have an actual Veterans Day, or day for just honouring Soldiers in general.

Butel...you hit on the biggest flaw of many Canadians.
They lack the desire to get totally involved in something and stick with it.
Canadians are bandwagon jumpers.
Getting very involved in things when theres a reward, but forgetting all about it the rest of the time.

Understanding Remembrance Day would require some effort to research, and learn and get involved.
If "Roll up the Rim" cups included facts about Remembrance Day or our Armed Forces,
Canadians might pay attention.
But only as long as there are still prizes to be won.

**VinceM** · #8 05-29-2018, 07:01 PM

For me, Memorial Day brings up memories of my older brother. He didn't die in combat, he died in an automobile accident when he was on leave from training in the Army. He was 18 years old. I was 14 and so proud of my big brother, the soldier. My childhood memories of Louie are good, so Memorial Day for me is both happy and sad. When I reflect on how I'm now three times older than my big brother was when he died, and all the life he missed out on, it's sad. But he always wanted to join the Army, and it was the happiest time of his (too short) life.
Thanks Ray, for your post.

**at6** · #9 05-29-2018, 08:24 PM

It's a time to remember friends who died in Vietnam and family killed in Iraq for me.

**papermate** · #10 05-30-2018, 04:57 AM

Over here, we also have Remembrance Day on Nov 11 to remember those who died fighting in the Japanese Occupation and some 10,000 civilian lives lost. Pic, courtesy of Wiki, showing HK Police band at the memorial service by the Cenotaph in Central, Hong Kong. We all treat it seriously, no jokes about it!

Papermate