Pick some flowers today.

[WilliamPitt]

In 1868, John A. Logan, general of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared May 30 to be "Decoration Day" in honor of the fallen from the horrific Civil War that had only ended three years before. His thinking was that May 30 was the perfect day because flowers would be blooming all over the nation they died to save.

One hundred years later, people trying to end a war picked those flowers and slid them into the rifle barrels held by National Guardsmen called out to quell resistance, because those people were trying to save their lives, too.

The history of this nation is convoluted, strange, beautiful and brutal...but threaded through it all is war, and those who have borne the brunt. We can spend the next 364 days arguing, or agreeing, over the merits or failures of America's most sanguinary of talents: dealing death at a distance.

On this day, we dip the flag, play taps, and remember those who went down to dusty death in the absolute worst of conceivable circumstances, so far from home. Veterans Day is for the survivors. Today is for the dead. They happened. They were here, and now they are not. One can chew on the reasons until their teeth are worn to nubs, but the fact will still remain: They were here, and now they are not.

Remember them...and pick some flowers.

[malthaussen]

1. Or, just leave the flowers alone.

Why kill flowers to remember?

-- Mal

[2naSalit]

3. +1

[cilla4progress]

2. Lovely,

thank you.

[femmocrat]

4. I will plant some instead.

[MH1]

5. Just got done planting some, with butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds in mind.

I'm taking a break before laying on a little mulch, then I'll be done.

It's come out really nicely so far and I'm glad I chose to spend the weekend this way.

[WilliamPitt]

6. Mulching, planting, weeding, raking, tick-checks...

...must be spring.

[Ichingcarpenter]

7. You know I buried two of my friends at Arlington Cemetery for Nam

One told me after he came back told me not to join up after
His platoon got wiped out and was sent back . He went back and died.

If you have ever smelled death and burning flesh you might understand why you never want to smell that again.

Oh and I have relatives buried there from the civil war too that fought against the South and died. My mother is buried at Arlington Cemetery also


I wish you would talk more about how shitty war is vs your WW2 and civil war history.

You are a better writer than that.

[WilliamPitt]

9. "I wish you would talk more about how shitty war is"

Been doing that for going on two decades now. Written four books about it. Traveled half a million miles to explain it. Cashiered my health to get it done.

364 of the other days on the calendar. This day, at least for me, is for taps. Sincerest apologies if that offends. In my opinion, the dead get their day. That's all this was meant to say.

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. You and I go way back

I know and have read your works for years including your books


Even with your limited opinion of me, I'm having a flashback on burning flesh and the smell of death
You are right .............. the flowers help

you don't offend me at all, you are a great writer unlike me.

I would just like something more anti war today from you after burying so many in my life.

[WilliamPitt]

11. Limited opinion of you?

Fie to that, with dispatch. I have enjoyed your company profoundly for all these years, my friend.

I respect and fully understand your opinion...though having never served, I would never dare to pretend I comprehend it.

You don't have to pick them. See them, smell them, and find your way out of the halls of haunted memory as you can.

Your friends will be here. As ever.

[Ichingcarpenter]

12. And I will gently put my hand upon your shoulder

and pretend we haven't been here before..... Emily Lou

thanks, will ........... your post means a lot to me.


Now from a recording from germany

[Ichingcarpenter]

13. "'C'est la vie,' say the old folks

[Rex]

8. War should always be the last resort, but now we make money off war

so it never is. It is our failure as a species.

[WilliamPitt]

14. Up