Memorial Day

[BouseBill]

Here we are again Memorial Day. I often think of the 58,000+ brothers and sisters who came home from our war to a final resting place.
It kinda irks me when I see people say have a "Happy Memorial Day", I really can't understand how they can be happy about Memorial Day.

Navy Seal Robert O'Neill, said in an opinion piece,

"Don’t wish me a happy Memorial Day. There is nothing happy about the loss of the brave men and women of our armed forces who died in combat defending America. Memorial Day is not a celebration.

Memorial Day is a time for reflection, pause, remembrance and thanksgiving for patriots who gave up their own lives to protect the lives and freedom of us all – including the freedom of generations long gone and generations yet unborn. We owe the fallen a debt so enormous that it can never be repaid.
Memorial Day is a time to honor the lives of those who would rather die than take a knee when our national anthem is played. But they will fight and die for the rights of those who kneel"

I could not have said it any better, so if someone says to you have a "Happy Memorial Day" Educate them on the true meaning of this a fine day indeed, but please no celebrations.

 

[southernlady5464]

The Meaning of Memorial Day
Since the earliest ceremonies in small American towns following the Civil War, we have gathered on Memorial Day to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

“Here at the Capitol, just weeks before the end of the Civil War, a weary President Lincoln pleaded with his fellow citizens, to ’bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.’”

- Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.)
Civil War soldiers had been mustered from towns and villages across the land. Like today, the loss of each soldier was a profound tragedy for both family and community.

As in those early days of laying wreaths and placing flags, our national day of remembrance is often felt most deeply among the families and communities who have personally lost friends and loved ones.

This national holiday may also be the unofficial start of the summer season, but all Americans must take a moment to remember the sacrifice of our valiant military service members, first responders and their families. Memorial Day is a day of both celebration and grief, accounting for the honor of our heroes and reflecting on their tragic loss.

Today, we honor service members from all of America’s past wars. But there is immediacy in our sorrow; the wounds of war are new again. As we struggle for ways to heal, Abraham Lincoln’s message of almost 150 years ago can still inspire us.

This, then, is the mission of Memorial Day: to reach out in support of all the soldiers and their families who have sacrificed so much for us.

Throughout America’s history, hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens have died bravely serving our country. The number of battle deaths speak to the sacrifices our soldiers and their families have made.

Fatalities from U.S. Wars and Conflicts
American Revolution (1775-1783) 4,435
War of 1812 (1812-1815) 2,260
Mexican War (1846-1848) 13,283
Civil War (1861-1865) 620,000
Spanish-American War (1898-1902) 385
World War I (1917-1918) 116,516
World War II (1941-1945) 405,399
Korean War (1950-1953) 36,574
Vietnam War (1964-1975) 58,220
Gulf War (1990-1991) 383
Afghanistan War (2001-present) 2,381
Iraq War (2003-2012) 4,500

"Lest we forget...."

Shared by the South Carolina Society SAR

 

[wdk450]

How about "Thank you for your service" and "have a grateful day of remembrance on Memorial Day"?

 

[JohnDar]

Part of the problem may be the confusion over the purposes behind Memorial Day and Veterans (Armistice) Day.

 

[avvidclif]

I celebrate that I made it back and remember with honor those who didn't. A bit of trivia, What state did Memorial Day start in and why?




Georgia, they (usually kinfolk and friends) put flags on the Confederate vets graves in the local cemeteries and then came to realize the Yankees had no one to put flags on their graves because there was no close family. Over time they were included also to honor all vets and it spread....