Let’s Not Forget This Memorial Day
This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend when we remember, reflect and pay homage to all the men and women who have paid the ultimate price for the freedom and prosperity we call the American way of life.
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. It came into being after the Civil War as a day set aside to honor the Union war dead, but actually Southern ladies organizations and school children had decorated the graves of the Confederate dead even as the civil war was going on.
Each area had its own date to decorate and though they may have been different they were all usually in the month of May.
In the 20th Century the dates were solidified and held to honor all America's war dead and the name was changed to Memorial Day. It marks the beginning of summer, with Labor Day marking the end.
I can't think of any place on earth where the deep respect American Patriots have for our heroes is as well represented as the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
This solemn, dignified ceremony is symbolic in honoring all who have given their lives in the service of this nation, whether their remains are buried at Arlington, Flanders Field or any number of Veterans Cemeteries around the United States and the world.
Patriotism has always come easy to me and has been an essential part of my life since the earliest days of my remembrance.
I remember the day Pearl Harbor was attacked, I remember D-Day, Iwo Jima, the taking of Berlin and the dropping of the first atomic bombs on Japan and I remember the day our long national nightmare was finally over.
I remember Korea, Viet Nam, and the Cold War and of course our wars against Iraq and Afghanistan and I have always had a special place in my heart for the warriors who stood between my family and the enemy.
I intend to take the time to stop and reflect this weekend on the price America has paid to remain the land of the free and the home of the brave and the men and women who have bore the brunt of that price and paid for our freedom.
I want to remember the families who have had to face up to the fact that the empty place at the dinner table will never be filled and the empty place in their hearts will be there all their lives, and I will marvel at the kind of strength and courage it takes to pull through such a tragedy.
I want to remember the young men who stormed the beaches and left their Iife’s blood on the sands of Normandy on D-Day.
I want to remember men who fought through the jungles of Asia to bring the Japanese Imperial army to its knees.
I want to remember those who manned the foxholes in Europe and chased the Nazis all the way to Berlin.
I want to remember the warriors in Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Afghanistan.
I want to remember and pay honor and homage to those who put their lives on the line for this nation from the Revolutionary War to the present day.
And to the men and women who have served and those who are still serving, I humbly thank you, I support you and I salute you.
Originally posted Friday, May 25 at 5:12 a.m. EDT. Reposted May 28 at 8:35 a.m. EDT
Photo from 2012 Rolling Thunder by Michelle Humphrey.
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Comments
Two words:
Submitted by Deskpilot on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 6:55am.
You're Welcome!
Yes thank you. I will spend
Submitted by T-Bone Mass on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 9:33am.
Yes thank you. I will spend the weekend taking my family camping, on Monday watch my daughter and her USMC JROTC march in our Memorial Day parade with veterans going back to WW2. Proudly.
Nice!!
Submitted by NC Cop on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 9:38am.
Hope you have a great time!!
I always like to say thank you to all of our veterans and especially to the families of those who have given their lives for this country.
Yet, I always feel that it's not enough. Words cannot possibly describe the love and gratitude I feel for our armed forces every day of every year. Not a day goes by that I don't stop and think about how much we owe these men and women. The reason we get to enjoy all of our freedoms is because of them, it's that simple. Not presdients (Republican or Democrat), not congressmen or seantors, not activists, not reporters or teachers.
As much as I feel inadequate saying it, THANK YOU!!!!
You know Charlie is a
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 8:47am.
You know Charlie is a Tarheel. He was born in Leland which is close to Wilmington. Went to school in Chatham County.
our extended family
Submitted by texasborngranny on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 6:51pm.
attends this event each year...
http://www.restlandfuneralhome.com/location/about/special_events/memorialday.html
Also,
Submitted by texasborngranny on Fri, 05/25/2012 - 6:58pm.
Speaking to the Gold Star Wives of America and American Gold Star Mothers, Costner told them that they are free to use the song in any capacity the organizations wish. “It’s offered up as a prayer really,” Costner said. “Our version of what we hoped happened.”
http://www.louisville.com/content/angels-came-down-ft-knox-saturday-arri...
If I hear one more fan or
Submitted by ricklail on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 8:50am.
If I hear one more fan or driver refer to any race car driver as a hero I'm going to scream. There was only one hero in NASCAR on the track. That would be Ned Jarrett at the 1964 World 600 when he tried to pull Fireball Roberts from his burning car. The ones that served in the armed services of the US like Bud Moore are heros. Their heroic actions were not on the track but on the battlefield.
Some people don't know the
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 10:20am.
Some people don't know the difference between "hero" and "cultural icon."
NASCAR heroes?
Submitted by Agnostic on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 11:55am.
Why not?
I would never call someone a hero for driving a car around a track regardless of how well they did it nor would I call someone a hero for throwing/shooting a ball or skating well. But heroes come in every walk of life including NASCAR drivers. Not for driving a car but to those who are good parents, lead by example, make tough decisions, give of their time/money and various other ways. I have no problem with any profession having their heroes if it is for the right reasons.
However, the recognition for today is meant for one type of hero and for them the words have not been written that suffices in expressing a due sense of gratitude so we are left with words, 'Thank You!" and the hope that many of our wonderful military and their families can understand all the unexpressed meaning behind them.
Charlie Daniels
Submitted by NVRAT on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 10:27am.
You said it best. I to remember those times from Pearl Harbor to Afghanistan. May all Soldiers past and present and those that gave all, be in the minds of the American people this Memorial Day. God Bless them and Cherish them all for they have given us the ultimate gift.
I came upon this earlier at
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 10:33am.
I came upon this earlier at townhall.com
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
I remember having to memorize and recite this poem in middle school. It's one of those things one only understands as an adult.
I've never been to Normandy, but one of my most moving experiences when we lived in England was our trip to the American Cemetery at Cambridge, which hosts the remains of Americans who died in Europe during WW II.
I made my grand daughter pancakes for breakfast today.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 11:30am.
I put blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream on them for her.
She asked why I did all that. I said they were red, white, and blue because today was special.
She is almost four, but she said, "Oh yes, it's Memorial Day, right?"
Teach your babies while they're young, and hope they will remember later.
We are close to losing the greatest nation on earth. Don't let it happen.
At least you didn't give her
Submitted by killa37 on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 1:27pm.
At least you didn't give her an Oreo cookie with ketchup on it.
Mmmmmmmmmm!
Submitted by Newsbubba on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 5:45pm.
And chase it with a cherry soda and vodka!!
Have a great Memorial Day, bubba.
➚ DID U SEE DAT????
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 12:00pm.
Just watched a speech at Arlington Cemetery.
The teleprompter praised the soldiers who fell during the American Revolution, the Civil War, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Evidently the teleprompter didn't see fit to honor the fallen in WWI, WWII, and Korea. Not important, I guess.
Of course, If it were the great orator himself, President Obama speaking extemporaneously, we know he would have expressed mindfulness of their sacrifices as well
Don't give him too much credit.
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 12:34pm.
I'm sure he reads and OK's these speeches before they get put on the teleprompter.
And he didn't notice the omission?
Good everloving grief!!
➚ Good grief is right
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 1:08pm.
I can understand his omitting WWII, given his attitude towards Israel.
All the soldiers who participated in WWI are gone now, spared the ungratefulness of today's President, but 2 years ago, we lost a neighbor (Marine) who stormed more than one Pacific beach. That generation has not yet perished.
To many, today is just another day to honor the eloquence of the Speechreader of the United States.
Definitely one for Blonde's gaffe list.
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 1:20pm.
How the HELL does a President of the United States give a speech at Arlington on Memorial Day and completely leave out two World Wars and Korea???
It would have been better if he didn't specifiy any wars at all.
Classless. And shameless.
➚ still up for debate
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 1:24pm.
His hatred of "colonialism" may have been the impetus to his omission. That's likely the reason he sent back the Churchill bust.
Given Baraka's attitude about
Submitted by killa37 on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 1:38pm.
Given Baraka's attitude about America, it's surprising that he even included the wars that he talked about. After all, the American Revolution was carried out by a bunch of white guys, basically............and the Civil War was about white guys vs. white guys with slaves - so I guess that one could stay, since Boy Baraka has roots in the slave trade. And Vietnam??? Americans vs. 'people of color' who were also Communists??? And of course - Iraq and Afghanistan - Americas vs. mooooooooooooooooooooslems, and oil, and 'people of color', and Imperialism, and 'nation-building', and the rest of that hogwash.............
And he left out WW1 and WW2, as well as the Korean War??? Didn't his great uncle free the prisoners in some concentration camp in Poland?? And Russia was a big part of WW2 - he's disrespecting his own idealology!!! Same as Korea - Americans vs. Communists.............again he ignores his 'roots'....................although he did have an ornament of Chairman Mao on his Christmas Tree.
This boy is confused................the only thing I can come up with is that he HAD to do something today, and get it over with, so that he could go play some golf.
Come on, folks, you'll get Jer in snit again.
Submitted by UpNorth on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 1:09pm.
I'd be more than willing to give Baracka even the slimmest of benefits of the doubt about his true purpose in going to Arlington, or The Wall, but for one thing. I can not find any record that he ever, ever made the trek prior to the cameras being on him.
So, yeah, I do believe it's all calculated because of what's on the horizon in November, nothing else.
➚ I take it back
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 1:33pm.
Since the speech was given at the Tombs of the Unknown Soldiers, it may be logical that nothing about the venue would call to mind soldiers killed in WWI, WWII, and Korea, right?
Wouldn't want y'all to think anything about the place would necessarily bring those wars to mind.
In memory of the fallen, and in honor of all service members,
Submitted by drsamherman on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 12:33pm.
past, present and future. Thank you for your service, and our heartfelt wishes for a safe Memorial Day.
To those now in harm's way, Godspeed and return you to your families, friends and loved ones safely.
I heard something this
Submitted by celator on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 12:38pm.
I heard something this morning which I want to share with you all.
If all those Americans killed in action since the War of Independence were to rise from the grave and step into regular parade formation, it would take 15 days, 24 hours a day, for the last row of men and women to march past the reviewing stand.
Today is a day we honor those men and women, as well as mourn their passing. We mourn.
My wife's brother, Billy, was a forward observer in the 5th Marines as they made their way north toward the Punch Bowl in June, 1951. After he and his partner dug in to prepare sending their reports back to HQ, Billy stood up to observe the enemy at exactly the wrong moment. A Chinese communist mortar landed just behind him, and he was killed instantly.
I was able to talk with Billy's partner on the battlefield, well in his 80's now, a couple of years ago, and we learned a lot about Billy's daring and bravery that we didn't know before. He left a wife and two young children behind.
The family has never really recovered from the loss.
God bless these men and women, all who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We honor and mourn them forever.
➚ He's giving another speech
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 2:25pm.
At the Vietnam War Memorial
To the tune of "Mr. Peabody's Improbable HIstory" - fitting. (smattering of applause)
His hand on his privates as the Colors are presented. Can't be a dry eye in the place.
The soldiers deserve the hearing the truth more than parades
Submitted by lrgon on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 3:10pm.
The "Chosin Few" exemplified the sheer guts and bravery of America's fighting men. US Army Lt.Col Don Carlos Faith who threw his Silver Star medal into the Korean snow is creditied for saving the United States X corp from destruction.
Korea was a war in which our fighting men in uniform were asked to fight under the UN flag instead of Old Glory. Consequently despite the best efforts of men like Don Faith and commanders like Douglas MacArthur to win decisively on the battlefield against the "red" enemy, they were denied victory by those enemies that have captured Washington,DC.
what enemies? Soviet spy Alger Hiss was a close FDR adviser: http://www.conservapedia.com/Legacy_of_Alger_Hiss#U.S._Government
After WWII US soldiers have fought under the UN flag not Old Glory. Hiss was the first Secretary General of the UN. His position as SG was in an "acting" secretary capacity but nonetheless he was involved in America's transformation from an independent sovereign nation to one resembling just another cog of the planned one socialist world government.
Mr. Daniels speaks about in a recently produced film that sounds a warning to Americans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJORxHZl588&feature=youtu.be
I hope everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day.
Submitted by bkeyser on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 3:29pm.
I hope the weather is nice wherever you are. Hopefully you're with family and loved ones. If you've got active duty military in your family, hopefully you've thanked them for their service. Hopefully you're able to enjoy your freedom in the the greatest country the world have ever known.
And hopefully, you remember why.
Memorial Day 2012
Submitted by berlet98 on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 5:17pm.
Memorial Day 2012
As with some other American holidays, the significance of Memorial Day has been largely forgotten and seriously diminished.
Today, the Fourth of July is rarely recognized as our celebration of independence from England after a long, bloody revolution. It has become a day to socialize with friends, neighbors, and relatives, scarf down burgers, hotdogs, and potato salad, attend a parade with lots of firetrucks, and watch illegal fireworks.
Christmas, a national holiday in observance of the birth of Jesus Christ, has devolved into a national shopping frenzy culminating in extravagant gift-giving, another eating orgy, and then figuring out how to pay the credit card bills.
Aside from Martin Luther King Day and Thanksgiving, little notice is given by too many people as to why we are able to sleep in and not go to work on holidays.
Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, is now the kickoff to forthcoming summer pleasures rather than a somber recognition of the tens of thousands of men and women who have died in service to our country over the past 223 years.
There’s certainly nothing wrong in celebrating but being festive while ignoring the fundamental purpose of the festivities is unseemly, if not un-American.
On Memorial Day 2010, President Barack Hussein Obama chose to show his contempt for America’s war dead . . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=24612.)
Gotta love Charlie Daniels ...
Submitted by ombdz on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 7:45pm.
How appropriate that we learn on Memorial Day that Veterans are moving quickly into Mitt Romney's camp. They're far from the only group shifting away from The One. Moderate suburbanites in swing states - women in particular - are emerging as THE key demographic. And if Mitt's campaign stops last week are any indication, he's going after them, hard ... http://bit.ly/qVdDUt
To all veterans.
Submitted by Bhaal on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 7:46pm.
You have my family's thanks and gratitude for your service.
My Thank You and tribute
Submitted by FastEd on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 7:58pm.
Might be a little late, but when you have the time, please take a look at my tribute to veterans at: https://prezi.com/mjzrbjx2nxdi/what-is-a-vet/
This started as an email note, expanded by friends here at Newsbusters and includes pics of my dad, a hero in so many ways.
"We the People . . " Hey, congress - I'm one of the people - start listening!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
One of the most moving, saddest, heartwarming, and patriotic
Submitted by Rush Fan on Mon, 05/28/2012 - 8:06pm.
movies I've ever seen is Taking Chance. It's the true story of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, who volunteers as a military escort to accompany the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming. Kevin Bacon deserves praise for his realistic portrayal of Col. Strobl.
Here is some background information on Col. Strobl and Chance Phelps. Here is a VIDEO of a conversation between Michael Strobl and Kevin Bacon.
I am forever grateful to fellow NewsBusters poster Rukus for tipping me to this wonderful, patriotic movie.
God Bless our military men and women who have served this great nation, and given their lives so we can live free.
Memorial Day Postscript
Submitted by berlet98 on Tue, 05/29/2012 - 1:40am.
Memorial Day Postscript
In “Memorial Day 2012″, I committed a serious error of omission as well as what liberals would characterize as a grievous blunder in word usage.
In calling for renewed recognition of the meaning of Memorial Day honoring the 1,343,812 men and women who have died in the service of our country, I neglected to mention the tens of millions of veterans of America’s wars who honorably served. I also made the mistake–according to the Left–of calling our war dead “heroes.”
Americans often confuse Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, with another national holiday, Veterans’ Day, originally referred to as Armistice Day.
Memorial Day honors our war dead whereas the latter commemorates the official conclusion of World War One on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. The purpose of Veterans’ day was later changed to celebrate all who have served in America’s military.
In fact, all veterans should be saluted as heroes and remembered in our prayers. The only difference between them and our fallen heroes is that they survived.
Consider showing your appreciation and support for our hero vets by contributing to the very worthy Wounded Warrior Project.
Then, again, are they really “heroes”?
Chris Hayes thinks not.
The leftist weekend host and fill-in for Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz, and Lawrence O’Donnell on MSNBC, the cable “news” adjunct of Barack Hussein Obama’s Democrat Party, believes his parents are “totally amazing, heroic figures” because they are far-out liberals. But he thinks referring to America’s fallen as “is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war.”
What Jesuitical gibberish!
In honor of Memorial Day, Hayes felt compelled to demean our military and those who gave their lives for us. He said he feels “uncomfortable” in describing fallen American soldiers as “heroes.”
In a stuttering, semi-articulate attack on those brave men and women, an attack with which his liberal guests fully concurred, Hayes uncomfortably explained his discomfort.
In his own rambling words, Hayes said that ”Thinking today and observing Memorial Day, that’ll be happening tomorrow. . . Um, I, I, ah, back sorry, um, I think it’s interesting because I think it is very difficult to talk about the war dead and the fallen without invoking valor, without invoking the words “heroes.”
Apparently, valor is as evil as heroism to America’s nasty, confused libs.
If that insightful observation were not sufficient to demonstrate Hayes’ insensitive ignorance of the meaning of a hero and their ultimate sacrifice, he added, ”Um, and, ah, ah, why do I feel so comfortable [sic] about the word “hero”? I feel comfortable, ah, uncomfortable, about the word because it seems to me that it is so rhetorically proximate to justifications for more war.”
Perhaps realizing his grossly irrational insult of those who died and to give him more opportunity to make an ass of himself, Hayes babbled on: “Um, and, I don’t want to obviously desecrate or disrespect memory of anyone that’s fallen, and obviously there are individual circumstances in which there is genuine, tremendous heroism: hail of gunfire, rescuing fellow soldiers and things like that. But it seems to me that we marshal this word in a way that is problematic. But maybe I’m wrong about that.”
I’m embarrassed to admit that I have a number of things in common with Hayes, including being a Catholic, Jesuit-educated Bronx native of Irish extraction who also graduated from Fordham University although I don’t share either his liberal family background nor Hayes’ radical leftism.
Nevertheless, I completely understand Hayes’ discomfort. . .
(Read more at http://www.genelalor.com/blog1/?p=24720.)