Can I say that I'm not entirely happy about the concept of "celebrating" Memorial Day? In my not even remotely humble opinion, it should be a day of humble solemnity, but instead it's a day of shopping and sorbets, another 3-day weekend, the unofficial beginning of summer. Memorial Day is why I don't support a national holiday in memory of 9/11 - in 20 years, it'll be all about the "Hero Sale" at Sears. No thanks.
I hate this freaking war and everything about it, and I want everyone that reads this blog to honor the troops that have died and spend a few minutes looking at the faces of the people that have died fighting a war they shouldn't have had to fight in the first place. They deserve a few minutes of your time, and their families will be happy to know that you are honoring their memory BY remembering them.
You can also go to this website and view some guestbooks and websites for some of the soldiers that have died as a result of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. They deserve your time.
THIS is Memorial Day. Yes, I did my patriotic duty and ate barbecued ribs and watermelon earlier today, but so bitter is my hatred for this war that I feel powerless to do anything but remember the troops that have fallen. You should too.
3 months ago
7 comments:
Don't forget that there were OTHER wars that were faught, necessary wars. I think sending up a prayer of thanksgiving and spending time with friends and family enjoying the freedoms that those brave men and women died to protect is a good way to spend the day.
I knew I liked Stacey. I agree with you 100%. thanks for sharing the links
Amen
You know... I have written letters to my local paper regarding this subject. My town has a Memorial Day parade. The ENTIRE thing lasts less than 10 minutes. There are NO businesses in it. No organizations other than VFW and the like. I can count the number of people along the street watching it.
I live in a college town and the residents get all annoyed because the college gives our town a "party" name.
In Sept there will be a "Mardi Gras" parade. It follows the same path as the Memorial Day parade. Almost EVERY business in downtown has a float in that parade. There are sidewalk sales, and booths and dancing. I couldn't even begin to count the number of people on one block, let alone the ENTIRE crowd for this parade.
It is so so sad that nobody will come to honor our troops. But they will come out in hoardes to party.
We didn't make it to the parade this year. But we always visit the Viet Nam Memorial that is in a local park, and we pray for the soliers... fallen and still fighting... and their families.
Thanks for being another voice for our troops.
Jo
I know this is off-topic, but I loved the story on Ace at Mississippi Moms.
Good points! And very well put!
I went and placed wreaths with my American Legion post.
If my two bits matter, I'm just glad we live in a nation where people are still free to have their own opinion about Memorial Day in the first place. In many other nations, it is not an option.
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