Observing Memorial Day

[old_tv_nut]

I'm sure those who write "Celebrating" Memorial Day have their heart in the right place, but it grates on my ears.
Time for solemn remembrance of those who gave so much.

 

[oldflame]

Perhaps most folks are really celebrating the start of warm-weather and outdoor enjoyment more than actual remembrance of our fallen soldiers and those who've served or were wounded. I wish our government had more respect for those who presently serve or are Veterans.

We fly the Flag and wear Buddy poppies or forget-me-nots and attach them to our car's windshield mirror and bikes after the Memorial Day "season." Our small town has a good program in our cemetery and a 21 gun salute. It's always well-attended, even with the politicians who are displayed on the band-stand and give speaches.

 

[highvoltage_]

remembrance of our fallen soldiers and those who've served or were wounded.

Memorial Day = Honoring those who died in action
Veterans Day = Honoring those who served.
Armed Forces Day = Honoring those who are currently serving.

 

[gadget73]

I live across the street from a now-closed boat ramp. The local VFW used to do a ceremony there every Memorial Day to honor those lost at sea. Usually a prayer by a local pastor/minister/etc, a gun salute, a bugler playing Taps, and a wreath would be sent down the river. Whole thing took 10 minutes or so. The current owner was asked if they could do the ceremony there, he said no. Needless to say that didn't earn him any fans in the neighborhood.

 

[RocketFoot]

It is a shame how many people view Memorial Day as just a day off from work or a picnic day. A few years back, I served as a borough councilman in my home town. My second year in office, the fire department and local VFW reported that they didn't have enough interest or support to pull off the annual Memorial Day Parade and were going to have to cancel the parade altogether!. NOT IN MY FREAKIN' TOWN! I enlisted the help of my wife and we got started planning with less that 2 weeks to put an entire parade together! It started out all uphill, but people started warming up after a few local paper and social media articles! We put together a parade committee and got to work! Ended up being the best parade ever! The memorial service afterward was packed! We arranged 2 buglers to play echo taps and it was probably the most moving thing I have ever seen. I've since moved outta town but the parade still continues to this day! The moral of my winded story is that it just takes some awareness and motivation to get people to 'remember!' The human mind forgets and gets complacent way to easily. This Memorial Day, please do your part to remember. It doesn't matter if your part is thanking some Veterans and offering condolences for the lose of their brothers that didn't make it back, organizing a parade or volunteering to place flags on graves, every bit helps us remember those that gave all for freedom.

 

[Christian B]

I was responsible for a State Forest in New Jersey for more than 30 years. During that time I personally took charge of the American flag every Memorial Day.
I always used a new flag, raised it to full height and then lowered it to half staff upon opening the office at 0800 hours. The flag stayed at half staff to honor the sacrifice made by so many until exactly 1200 hours, high noon, when I raised it to full height again. Many veterans and others commented and expressed their appreciation at seeing this done over the years. I am sorry to say that many places seem to have forgotten this ritual, which is part of the U.S. Flag Code, and I have seen the flag flying at full staff before noon on Memorial Day at many public offices. Maybe they're ignorant of the code, or maybe they're just lazy, but it shows no respect for the gravity of the day.
Lest we forget.

 

[HB3]

I put my flag out every Memorial Day weekend. It's my way of paying tribute.

 

[old_tv_nut]

 

[loopstick]

I live in sleepy old small town Finger Lakes region. Memorial Day is huge around here (except for during COVID, thank you). It's great for the kids who are in band. In fact they were doing parades here when most of the USA was wilderness. Yes and I do know that Memorial Day is of a more recent vintage.

 

[highvoltage_]

Yes and I do know that Memorial Day is of a more recent vintage.

Memorial Day is the oldest of the three military holidays (Veterans Day and Armed Forces Day being the other two). Memorial Day has been observed since 1868. Veterans Day was established after WWI. Armed Forces Day was first observed on 20 May 1950.

 

[loopstick]

Memorial Day is the oldest of the three military holidays (Veterans Day and Armed Forces Day being the other two). Memorial Day has been observed since 1868. Veterans Day was established after WWI. Armed Forces Day was first observed on 20 May 1950.

Yes. Parades in these here parts go back to the eighteenth century.

 

[highvoltage_]

Yes. Parades in these here parts go back to the eighteenth century.

Nineteenth century?

 

[loopstick]

Nineteenth century?

No. Revolutionary War. 1776. Many Fourth Of July parades before 1800. (or is it 1801?)

 

[zenith2134]

You're so correct. Observing and remembering. My grandfather was a WWII veteran and POW who taught me a lot. I keep his flag on display in my shop.

 

[bruno80918]

All gave some.
Some gave all.
Salute.h

 

[Dude111]

I hope everyone has a good day!!!!

 

[Tom Brennan]

Nineteenth century?

Yeah, originally called Decoration Day the current national holiday was started in 1868 by Union veterans of the War of the Rebellion to honor those who'd died in the suppression of the southern rebellion. John Logan, a powerful Illinois politician who'd commanded the 15th Corps, Army of the Tennessee (Grant's army, and then Sherman's after Grant was bumped up) and was head of the Grand Army of the Republic (a Union veterans organization) was instrumental in establishing the holiday. The holiday was adopted on a state by state basis and for a long time was a holiday only in states that were loyal to the United States during the rebellion.

 

[highvoltage_]

No. Revolutionary War. 1776. Many Fourth Of July parades before 1800. (or is it 1801?)

Gotcha. I thought you were referring to Memorial Day parades going back to the 18th century.

 

[Pio1980]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_poppy
I recall seeing remembrance poppies on Memorial Day, an artificial lapel flower on a green wire stem, almost everywhere in the 1950s. Always associated it with "The War to end all wars" but hardly ever see it now.
Maybe it was being close to WW-2 with so many citizens directly involved with a strong personal emotional investment in something with strong universal approval.
For myself, I've generally avoided public displays and associations of patriotism for reasons inappropriate to mention here, but choose to observe it privately, sincerely, as a retired military member with no disrespect or proof of loyalty requirement.
Others will pay respects as they deem appropriate, as have I.
Thanks to the OP for the thread of debts owed for the price of national defence and security.

 

[Pio1980]

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the gravestones, 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.