QOD
Am I less of a patriot if I don’t give two craps about memorial day? But that isn’t the real QOD either, Because well it’s not true that I don’t give 2 craps. I sort of take that back. I propose we have seperate but equal Memorial day celebrations. On one side of the parade we be sure to honor the troops that were drafted into fighting. The sons of the those that didn’t have the benefit of being a Mormon on 8 trips to the promised land (Of Missouri) The unfortunate sons as they like to say. I would like to see those guys honored.
Then on the other side of the parade I would like to see the “They signed up for it” part. The volunteers that knew what they were getting into and met that “worst case scenario” situation other wise known as death. I’m pretty sure the current administration supports this point of view.
So, my question is this: Should memorial day be split into two seperate days? One for the schmucks that signed up for it and One for those that couldnt’ get out of it?
No. Volunteer or draftee, they all fought for us and many died for us. Whether we agreed with the wars they fought or not, or whether we approve of the mechanism that got them there or not, makes no difference for a celebration such as Memorial Day. We’re remembering and honoring those who served. That’s all.
I am anti-war, but I understand necessity and I know that the force of history can sometimes overwhelm. So, for Memorial Day, I suspend politics. I think it is inappropriate to use the day for anything other than respectful remembrance.
We should not indulge in either slams at Mr. Bush or in patriotic, if jingoistic, rah-rah America.
So, for Memorial Day, I suspend politics.
I agree that Memorial Day should be for honoring the war dead no matter how they got that way.
But politics has nothing to do with it – you have to also suspend moral judgment. That’s fine, as long as it returns after the holiday.
I take your point, anonymous person, and agree.
I don’t think I understand your post. Why should they be honored separately? Maybe I’m misinterpreting it, but it sounds like you have less respect for those who sign up than for those who were drafted. I hope that’s not the case since those who sign up are the reason we no longer have a draft.
If I understood your post to mean that you think that Memorial Day is a bullshit concept, I don’t think it’s a matter of being unpatriotic. I think it’s a matter of being unappreciative.
I think so few of us (myself included) have family members who have fought in or are currently fighting in wars, so it’s hard for us to truly appreciate the sacrifices they and their families are making for our country. Even if a soldier doesn’t lose his life, his limbs and/or his sanity as the result of a war, he is taken away from his family for months and years at a time. In many cases, they miss their childrens’ births and major milestones in their lives. That’s huge. I don’t know how or why they do it, but I certainly appreciate them for it.
I really hope I misunderstood your post.
I agree with Mike Mahaffie and anon — the sacrifice isn’t judged by whether you volunteered or were volunteered.
But I would agree that as a society we aren’t really organized to acknowledge the spirit of the day (much like almost all of our national holidays) which has been superseded by finding the great sales on stuff.
No one is more antiwar than I am, and I truly mourn for all those who died in the Iraq war, no matter how they got there. They gave their lives for a war that never had to happen. It was never about “keeping us free” (words that make me cringe). How sad is that!!
Our peace group will be solmenly marching in the Memorial Day Parade on Friday to remember and mourn the troops killed in Iraq. We probably take it more seriously than most people do.
Apologies to Mahaffie, but in my book, Memorial Day reminds me of why I detest the Iraq War so thoroughly. About 18 veterans commit suicide every single day. I can not, and will not, rest for a single day until the War is over and the veterans have better care and benefits – especially not on a day when I seek to honor the memory of the fallen.
Thus, Election Inspection’s own veteran, SPC. Rob Millette (AKA skywrnchsr509) has taken the initiative to hold a major internet fundraiser tomorrow for a veteran running for congress as a Democrat. The candidate will be chosen from the winner of our poll over at Daily Kos and Swing State Project., which closes at 8 PM tonight. Y’all are welcome to celebrate Memorial Day any way you choose – but I’m not going to avoiding politics, personally.
X-Stryker, thank you so much.
“The volunteers that knew what they were getting into and met that “worst case scenario” situation other wise known as death. ”
No one signs on the dotted line expecting the “worst case scenario” as you put it. They do it to supplement their income and qualify for educational benefits. I’m sure all sign because they love their country and feel they need to give back something for the privilege of living in this country.
I often wonder why so many people look at military service as a death sentence when only a small number of those who choose to serve pay the ultimate price. There are many, many more within that age group who pay the “ultimate price” while driving our highways, doing drugs and other things which young people indulge in. Serving in the military is not a death sentence now, nor has it ever been. I served during the Vietnam era and many more returned from service than paid the “ultimate price.”
I don’t hear the outcry over highway deaths, drug deaths, suicides. homicides, etc., etc., ad nauseum.
Each Memorial Day week I, along with my wife and any of our children who which to accompany us, travel to upstate Pennsylvania to put flowers on the graves of our relatives. This week I had a need to query the caretaker as to where a particular grave was. While searching we came upon a twin grave surrounded by a small decorative fence and a landscaping job any gardener would appreciate. The caretaker explained the grave, which dated to 2002 was that of two 16-year olds who died in an auto crash. He explained the mother of one of the boys has visited the cemetery each day since the death of her son. These boys died senselessly, of course but they are only two of many thousands who succumb to injuries each year while engaging in that favorite American pastime, driving a vehicle.
My point? I don’t really have one but the experience put things into perspective for me. Think about these things and have a nice holiday.
test
Having served myself during Nam and hving 3 older brothers who served during wwII i find this day to be very inportant not only to our vets but it also happends to be my birthday
Thruth Teller
Havev a very happy Birthday !!!!
How many 18 -22 year olds now what they are getting into when they volunteer for the armed forces even now. How many of you were mature enough to knoe such things at that age. I wasn’t
I know now that then 27 years ago that I signed the papers in order to hopefully have a decent jov maybe higher education eventually. I am sure that there is little difference now
The media hardly ever tells the real story about this war. About the upwords of about 700, 000 kids that have one or maybe both parents serving overseas. About the thousands that come back mained for life either physically or mentally. About thosae who did not make it back and left families with the hope of a government and a people who eventually will turn their backs on them as benefits get reduced in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
Dont say it wont happen because it already does ask anyone who put in their 20 expecting something that was promised to them by their country and just to see that promised cut the same as these large corporations have done to their long term workers.
And by the way how many took just an hour or two out their day to go the a veterans service today to honor those who gave up their lives and forvever changed the lives of their families for their country
Nice post, Al.
Happy Birthday, TT.