Memorial Day 2017

[blackhawknj]

Memorial Day is on us again, and has been the case for most of my 67 years on this planet Young
Americans who raised their right hands and solemnly swore that they would "support and defend the Constitution" have gone in Harms' Way-and Paid the Price.
My family has been little touched by the wars of the United States, few served, few lost.
The real meaning of Memorial Day was summed up by Charles Johnson Post who served in the 71st New York in the Cuban Campaign of 1898. A "little war" compared to the Civil War or the bloodlettings of the 20th Century, but as Post reminds even small conflicts have a high price.
"Whether a man falls with 20,000 others in some grand battle or all by himself on a lonely outpost, he is a 100% casualty to himself. What more is there to give?"

 

[Fox Mike]

Let us never forget those that were here awaiting the loved one to return or bury. The wives, husbands, sons, daughters, and other loved ones also "served" in their own way.

 

[contender]

All above,,, oh so true.

 

[opos]

My Aunt had a Gold Star flag as did so many others...We all went to Union Station in Denver to see Tommy off to war...he never came back like so many...

 

[Rancher Will]

Memorial Day means many things to many people. I remember when it was called "Decoration Day". When I was young everyone that I knew recognized Decoration Day as the day to place flowers, etc. on grave markers for family and ancestors, along with memories of those with no markers.

Memorial Day to me has become a compound Memorial Day. It has a double meaning. For me now, Memorial Day has become the annual day for remembrance of those who sacrificed for America. The double meaning is now in the past and although I still remember what I was told as a child, those memories are long ago. My two brothers are included in my remembrance, both who paid the price in Korea while we all three served there in 1950-53. One brother is buried in Fort Logan and the other in Sandpoint, Idaho veteran Cemeteries. I am the fortunate one of the three of us who survived Korea.

Memorial Day for me also brings memories of many of my ancestors, on both of my parents sides of our family. On my father's side dating back to 1662 I have the records of ancestors who paid the ultimate price for liberty in every war involved with America except the Boxer Rebellion.

On my mother's side we have numerous records of ancestors who paid the ultimate price fighting and defending against first the English Colonists, and later, From Andrew Jackson on, defending against the United States political genocide agenda through the 18th and 19th centuries. Beginning with WWII some family members of my mother's side have paid the price for modern America. We are all Americans now down to my Great Grandchildren.

Our Education system now fails to educate most younger people on the true meaning of Memorial Day. Unfortunately we are seeing Memorial day becoming the day for "Memorial Day Sales events, paid holiday weekends, etc.". I suspect that in the future most Americans will not have a clue what was the origin and purpose of Memorial Day.