Memorial Day

[Mobuck]

When I was a kid I went with Dad as he placed the small American flags on Veterans' graves. I knew every Veterans' grave site within a 10 mile radius. One year, Dad was either sick or couldn't get away from work so the area American Legion Commander and another local Veteran picked me up from school and I directed them to each and every site. It was a big deal for a 10 year old to be excused from class and sent on such an important task. I think the older men may have teared up a bit when I stepped back and presented a crisp salute after placing each flag.
I didn't understand why Dad seemed so upset while we were walking among those graves but it came to me later that he had known some/many of these men and had good reason to feel as he did. Later, I learned this first hand but too late to give Dad any support. At this time, I offer a salute (yes, it's been 51 years since I wore the uniform but I do remember how it's done) to each and every other person who has served.

 

[contender]

It's hard for a kid to fathom the feelings veterans have. But as we age,, and some of us become veterans ourselves,, we truly do realize the depth many feel on Memorial Day.

The salute.
I was glad to see it when Congress passed the resolution to allow Veterans, while not in uniform, to be allowed to salute the Flag at formal events.
Funny thing was that I always did it anyway. It didn't take a resolution to let my heart guide my hand,, when the Colors were presented.

 

[Mobuck]

I guess I never knew I wasn't supposed to salute the flag.
Another interesting pre-Memorial Day occurrence: At Grandson's graduation last weekend part of the ceremony involved presenting honorary graduation certificates to two Vietnam Veterans who went into service before they graduated. As these men walked onto the stage, my Son in law and I were the first in the crowd of a couple thousand to stand. The others got the message and the entire crowd rose and applauded.

 

[noahmercy]

I can see where that would be heady indeed to escort those men around to perform that duty, and I am pleased that you showed the respect due the fallen. Whether or not the American Legion fellows teared up or not, I know I had to wipe my eyes while smiling reading about it and picturing it.

While I never had the honor of serving (not for lack of desire, but physical issues precluded enlisting), I am descended from a long line of military men, including one who served with distinction alongside the dollar bill guy. I have the utmost respect, love, admiration, and gratitude for those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. I don't care what branch, or what capacity they served, they were a part of a brotherhood of nation-servants. While that may sound terrible, I use "servant" in a Biblical way, and that is someone who puts the needs of others above their own. That is a noble trait.

I decided long ago that every day would be Memorial Day for me. Just like every day is Christmas, Easter, Mothers Day, Thanksgiving, Veterans Day, etc. 1/365th of a year just isn't enough time to remember and honor what we have to be thankful for, and who is responsible.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

In our small town in the 50s we always had a parade on Memorial Day which included the High School Band, us kids on red, white, and blue decorated bikes. Vets, and the VFW Color Guard The VFW Vets would go to the close by cemetery and would have a 3 gun salute to honor all of the Vets.

Memorial Day a couple years ago in our small Texas town.
Notice these old Warriors are in perfect step without a band Never forget that they may now be old farts BUT at one time they were probably pretty BADASS as a lot on this forum are

I traded in my Bike.

This stuff belongs to a guy close by that is very supportive of the Vets

 

[hpman66]

 

[Bob Wright]

One year on the Memorial weekend, on the Sunday, I was taking up offering in church when the church pianist began to play the offertory music, she chose The Star Spangled Banner.

Offering stopped, and as soon as the congregstion realized it was the National Anthem, all stood. Passing the plate did not resume until the song ended.

Bob Wright

 

[wolfsong]

Y'all know how I feel about Memorial Day.

Peace and God bless.

 

[sfhogman]

If there can be such a thing, my favorite Memorial Day took place in 2002. My wife's son Konstantin and the rest of his Cub Scout troop went to the San Francisco National Cemetery - the most beautiful of our National Cemeteries in my opinion, to decorate the graves with flags...
As usual in the summer, there was fog resting over the Cemetery, and an absolute swarm of Cub Scouts. I thought to myself, "this is gonna take all day." Boy, was I wrong! 15 minutes later every grave had a flag decorating it; some had two or three! Quite a lot of enthusiasm there...

I like to think of the Fallen looking down, their ethereal hearts warmed by the sight.

Provided They could see through the fog, of course.

Jeff

 

[GunnyGene]

For those who may not know, Arlington Cemetery accepts the cremated remains of deceased service members as well as in-ground burial. If you are planning ahead, you might want to explore the website for pertinent info.

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/#/
Here are the basic eligibility requirements:

https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Funerals/Scheduling-a-Funeral/Establishing-Eligibility
Burial at sea by the USN is also an option.

https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-Services/Casualty/Mortuary-Services/Burial-at-Sea/

 

[ronto]

We all have family members, friends, or neighbors who have given up their future so we can have a future of liberty. I especially remember my Uncle Paul who was killed in action on October 4, 1918 and my cousin Eddy who is missing in action in the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter Korea 1950. God bless them and all those who have given their lives in service to our country.

 

[BearBiologist]

I never served in combat but buddies from my Army days did and paid the ultimate price. I spend a few moments each year in solitude in my office as a remembrance.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

 

[dweis]

My fear is that young people will more and more come to see Memorial Day as holiday barbecue time on a e day weekend. Since we adopted the all volunteer military such a small percentage of Americans serve, and so they do not experience what binds warrior together. As a result they do not understand the depth of feeing active duty personnel and veterans about Memorial. Maybe I am wrong, I hope so.

 

[dannyd]

We would put flags on all the graves when I was a kid.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I remember always but particularly on the Memorial Day the following:
My Dad who served twenty years in the US Navy and courtesy of the Navy his ashes were buried at sea after he passed away;
My Mother who passed away some years after my Dad and Her ashes are buried in the National Cemetery at Riverside, Ca.
Then my little brother who lived in Prescott, AZ and his ashes were scattered over all the trout streams in that area of Arizona.
My older brother whose ashes were scattered over the Catalina Channel or in a ship wreck off Catalina Island courtesy of the SoCal Wreck Divers Club of which he was a member for many years.
I still have my Ashley's ashes in an urn sitting where I can glance at it now and then and recall fond memories.

 

[Watertender]

Reflections on Memorial Day

Flat black boxes hidden in a drawer,
Distant memories of a long ago war,
Earned with blood searing the soul,
Part of your heart is an empty hole.

Your mind goes back to those days,
Of friends dying in a distant place,
Young men's blood in the snow and sand,
The horror of war is never grand.

Stars of Bronze and Silver,
Their thought makes you quiver,
A Distinguished Service Cross l,
Given for handing the Germans a loss.

On a day in May they decorate the graves,
Of the ones who were there and brave,
Fluttering American flags in the breeze,
The sound of Taps floating through the trees.

We all owe these men a debt of thanks,
They were the ones that faced the tanks,
From their actions America remains free,
Their lives were given for you and me.

Let us never forget what they gave,
Those young men bold and brave,
Hold your heads high and speak their names,
Give their memory honor and fame.


Watertender, written for Memorial Day in 2019

Please feel free to share this with anyone you think would appreciate it.

 

[contender]

In Black Mountain NC,, there is a Veterans graveyard. I drive by it often. Today,, I had to go by there on a short job call. As I rounded the curve,, I could see the green hillsides with the markers,, and yet,, today,, an additional sea of American Flags at each marker.
It may seem silly to some,, but each & every time I drive by there,, I remove my hat,, and say a silent "Thank you" prayer to my brothers & sisters buried there.

 

[hpman66]

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/bo-derek-reflects-proud-american-veterans

 

[Mobuck]

It's admirable to remember 'those who gave all' but we should also give some thought to 'those who are still giving'. Last night was a bad night for me after all the comments got me thinking about 'stuff'. It's always in the shadows but when that closet door gets pried open and the skeletons are rattled around, it often takes a while for the rattling to settle down. It's not like flipping off a switch.
Just sleeping becomes a chore when some part is still alert for a footstep, a small rustle of equipment, or the clank of a rifle bolt closing. That hidden sense of 'something' that has saved so many. That shift into full on self preservation mode that sends an adrenaline shock through one's system. I could never live in town with all the nighttime movement and noise.

 

[Watertender]

Mobuck I agree with you about what amounts to a living death. You are on a raw edge for the rest of your life. The feeling is something that you can't explain to some people but I get it. The thousand yard stare that comes back in an instant. The sound that triggers an involuntary flinch or makes you hit the deck. The smell that brings bad memories flooding back. I am having breakfast with a former member of the 101st Airborne who was wounded in Vietnam and he is living the exact thing that you describe. It's an everyday struggle for some people and one day a year is given to the dead of war but the war never ends for some.

 

[hpman66]

 

[hpman66]

 

[Wyandot Jim]

 

[rmc25]

I understand what you're saying Mobuck. It's been decades but the presence is still around and it's troubling when on days like this it shows its ugly head. Time doesn't change the memories of the loss of old friends either.

 

[Watertender]

I have gotten the Memorial Day poem that I wrote to several American Legion Posts this year by texting it to members that I know. Some have asked if they could use it during their services. I told them that of course they could and to pass it on to anyone who they think would appreciate it.

 

[hpman66]