General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums1.2 Million Americans Die; 300 Million Americans Celebrate
Last edited Mon May 27, 2019, 03:06 PM - Edit history (1)
Via Crooks and LiarsMemorial Day is a solemn day to think about dead people, broken families, orphaned children, blood and ultimate scarifies. So, why do we put Happy in front of it? Why do we have family BBQs in the back yard, coolers full of beer in the park and carefree children celebrating a day off from school?
The Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. is 246 feet long and lists 58,000 names of fallen American soldiers. Were it to include all American soldiers who died in service, it would be 5,888 feet long thats more than a mile. (Or, to put that into American measurements, its 16 football fields.)
Memorial Day started as a commemoration of Americans Northern and Southern who died in the Civil War. Thats a whopping 600,000 people. Which is about half of all the soldiers who died in service. The concept of 1.2 million people dying in trenches and stepping on mines or being gassed, napalmed, or tortured to death is a grizzly thing to ponder. So, again, whats up with Happy? Imagine the looks youd get if you went up to someone and wished them a Happy 9/11.
Thoughtful, reflective or peaceful seems much more appropriate. Wearing black like pallbearers is more logical than wearing swimsuits. Just walking the 246 feet length of the Vietnam War Memorial brings tears, anger, and stirs emotions that most of us would rather not face. walking the whole length, which can be too overwhelming, firing up a BBQ is not the first thing that comes to mind.
The names on that wall and walls not built yet died courageously, some timidly, some angrily and in some cases didnt know that they did. They fought in good wars, bad wars, and probably some illegal wars. They fought willingly and they fought because of rigged systems that weeded out kids who couldnt go to college or couldnt grow an overnight bone spur.
Whatever way you look at it, though, notice that theres no Nazi flag hanging in your office. That you dont say whats that when a person says synagogue. Take note that New York, Chicago and Los Angeles arent mythical lands from before the nukes fell. And consider that we dont have to study about a time the military chain of command broke, and a coup took over the east coast (excluding Florida the imaginary coup wouldnt want that).
People around the world want to live in America because they see it as a symbol of hope that wont die. And for hope to stay alive, a lot of people, sadly, had to die protecting it. Maybe Memorial Day isnt about putting flowers at graves with a tear but setting them down with a smile and a subtle nod. Because those are the people who saw the mortar coming and hoped that -- if they couldn't -- their buddies would make it home to have family BBQs in the back yard, coolers full of beer in the park and carefree children celebrating a day off from school.
Right now, theres a rumble in New York City from military jets circling to make sure those picnics arent disturbed. So, Happy Memorial Day, everyone. Pass me down a beer.
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Bayard
(22,153 posts)Instead of watching sumo wrestling in Japan? He has no respect or knowledge of the day.
Thanks for posting.
bondwooley
(1,198 posts)He is getting far away from Arlington. You know, his bone spur might act up if he's there.
Wondering how many presidents have skipped the ceremony since it began...
lunatica
(53,410 posts)Im sure it helped them avoid the crowds.
https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/may/23/trumps-pay-respects-fallen-arlington/
doc03
(35,378 posts)parade. He will have neo-nazies goose steping like in Nurenburg in the 30s.
fayhunter
(221 posts)A biglier turnout than his inauguration.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)bondwooley
(1,198 posts)Historic NY
(37,453 posts)the had to change it in 1971 for no actual reason and even the day from the 30th all to make a 3 day holiday.
Over time it has become blended into Happy Memorial Day sales, picnics etc. The original intent was to honor the dead and decorate the graves of our deceased warriors. I recall on the morning of Decoration Day we'd go to the cemetery or the local memorial for a ceremony, flags would be all over. In the afternoon when the flag was raised back to full staff, preparation for a parade of veterans, from all the wars would get together and march down main street. We would ride our bicycles the length of the march all deck out in bunting. Mostly our fathers WWII vets would get out an march, some with the fire dept, or other civic groups, the various vet. organizations.
Seriously to make a 3 day holiday.....it just dilutes the message of what the day is all about.
Wounded Bear
(58,713 posts)regardless of original meaning, it's always about making more money.