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How do you remember Memorial Day 2014?

by barbling
6 replies
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I personally dislike intensely the fact that Memorial Day here in the States at times focuses more on BBQs than remembering the fallen.

How do you remember Memorial Day?

  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    I personally dislike intensely the fact that Memorial Day here in the States at times focuses more on BBQs than remembering the fallen.
    You don't know what people remember - whether they are lighting the BBQ or drinking a beer or laughing with their family. I've been at holiday BBQs where friends told stories about family members lost in wars - they aren't forgotten.

    I see it as a celebration of country, lives and family. I don't think honoring those lost requires spending a day in solemn mourning - I think it requires celebrating those freedoms they died to protect.
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    • Profile picture of the author barbling
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      You don't know what people remember - whether they are lighting the BBQ or drinking a beer or laughing with their family. I've been at holiday BBQs where friends told stories about family members lost in wars - they aren't forgotten.

      I see it as a celebration of country, lives and family. I don't think honoring those lost requires spending a day in solemn mourning - I think it requires celebrating those freedoms they died to protect.
      Superb excellent point. Thank you.
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      • Profile picture of the author BigFrank
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        I spend it alone, in solemn remembrance of my fallen friends and brothers in arms that I lost during the Tet Offensive of 1968 in Saigon and Cu Chi while serving with the 25th Infantry Division - Tropic Lightning.

        That's just me. To each, his own.

        Cheers. - Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
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    Originally Posted by barbling View Post

    I personally dislike intensely the fact that Memorial Day here in the States at times focuses more on BBQs than remembering the fallen.

    How do you remember Memorial Day?
    I am thinking about the fallen many days...not just on Memorial Day. My pops served in WW2, my uncle received 2 purple hearts and a bronze star for his service in Vietnam, and I served in the 80's.

    I can barely watch a war picture or documentary without almost tearing up thinking about the sacrifice that was made by so many. When I hear a great speech on American values and/or sacrifice it immediately brings the fallen to mind.

    I think for many of us that have served it is something that never really leaves our minds for very long.

    That said...I will be grilling Sunday and Monday (and remembering the fallen) with some family members that are visiting from out of town.

    Thanks for your thoughts.

    Cheers!

    -don
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      There's time to do it all - this is Memorial Day Weekend - but next Friday is Memorial Day.
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      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      It actually doesn't take much to be considered a 'difficult woman' -
      that's why there are so many of us.
      ...jane goodall
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      • Profile picture of the author ForumGuru
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        There's time to do it all - this is Memorial Day Weekend - but next Friday is Memorial Day.
        For the younger peeps --> Memorial day was originally observed on the 30th of May. Since 1971 it has been observed on the last Monday of May...long live the three day weekend.

        Memorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers, who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I, it was extended to include all men and women, who died in any war or military action.

        Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30, regardless of the day of the week, on which it fell. In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that that, from 1971, Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.

        Memorial Day in United States
        It was believed the 30th of May was chosen because the flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

        Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

        Memorial Day History - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs
        Cheers

        -don
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