A little history first: It started as Decoration for those fallen in the US Civil War circa 1865 or so [the day, not the war]. Wherein folks from both the North and South would go out to decorate the graves of those fallen. It wasn't until the mid 60s it got officially renamed to "Memorial Day" as we know it now.
I grew only hearing about "Memorial Day" and never heard "Decoration" until I got to live in the Appalachian mountains of western NC. I always wondered why Granny would say to me her and my Dad going down to visit Grandpa's grave for "Decoration".
Anyway, I believe the day [today] is suppose to be about honoring those who have fallen in combat. It's not about freedom or to honor those who have served (that's called Veteran's Day). It's about those who were killed in action.
Last night I heard a bunch of fireworks going off and folks around the neighborhood partying and such and wondered if they really have clue what it really means. Later last evening I'm next door having a beer with my neighbor and he's asking why I have on dog-tags and this little stainless steel bracelet on knowing I never wear jewelry of any sort (not even a watch). The dog-tags are easy explain being they were Grandpa's. The bracelet got into a whole 'nuther discussion.
I got the bracelet in 1971 (me age 10) during the Vietnam days from an Indiana state patrol officer. It was a POW/MIA bracelet that some of you older fellers may remember. I had 3 uncles in that war at the time. I still have that same bracelet and used to wear all the time. Now I just put it back on, same as Grandpa's dog-tags, only on special days like today. The other days being, Vets Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years and their birthdays (if I remember).
So back to the bracelet: Staff Sergeant First Class Prentice Wayne Hicks, US Army, (Company B, 1st Bat., 8th Inf., 4th ID), MIA 25 March 1969, SVN (South Vietnam). The idea behind the bracelets back then was that should/when they be returned back to the US, the bracelet holder(s) would return said bracelet to them or their family. Fast forward to 30 years later and the public access to the internet comes about and I do some research about him. Now I know a ton about him and the incident of 25 March 1969. It was not good at all. None of the remains of him or his 2 buddies have ever been recovered [that I know of]. Since he hasn't "come home" yet I'll still wear the bracelet. His status was changed from MIA/POW to KIA some years ago but as far as I'm concerned, he isn't home yet.
His name is on the 'Nam wall at Panel W28 Line 37. I have carried this man on this little bracelet since 71 or so and will continue to do so until either I die or I can find his family and give it to them...or better he and his buddies can be recovered.
My point today is that the meaning of today has become somewhat lost. It's not a day of celebration, partying with cookouts and pool parties and such.
It SHOULD be a day of remembrance and honor of those killed in action - nothing more.
May God bless our fallen heroes.
That's my ramble for the day.
E.
I read about the "roots' (no pun intended) of the holiday a few weeks ago. It is not history that has been rewritten but history that was suppressed.
Yes, Eric, it is about honoring the fallen who GAVE us our freedoms. I do have a small problem with your POV and also yesterday some POVs in the Yodel post.
My POV is that celebrating is a way of displaying our freedom which is a way of honoring the dead. There is all this talk of freedom but it looks like some here have problems with others expressing their freedom either it be by singing the anthem to their own style or having some other way to celebrate the dead on Memorial Day. All that I am saying is that some folks who espouse freedom get their panties in a wad when people do express freedom.
Every year my father (WW2 vet) would put flags on graves, attend the parade and then be with family if he did not have to work.
We have the flag up here and some of the flags he would use on this day. Probably BBQ later with family. I have a nephew headed to boot camp next month. This may be the last time that I might see him before he leaves but hopefully not.
The first widely publicized observance of a Memorial Day-type observance after the Civil War was in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 1, 1865. During the war, Union soldiers who were prisoners of war had been held at the Charleston Race Course; at least 257 Union prisoners died there and were hastily buried in unmarked graves.[12] Together with teachers and missionaries, black residents of Charleston organized a May Day ceremony in 1865, which was covered by the New York Tribune and other national papers. The freedmen cleaned up and landscaped the burial ground, building an enclosure and an arch labeled, "Martyrs of the Race Course." Nearly ten thousand people, mostly freedmen, gathered on May 1 to commemorate the war dead. Involved were about 3,000 school children newly enrolled in freedmen's schools, mutual aid societies, Union troops, black ministers, and white northern missionaries. Most brought flowers to lay on the burial field. Today the site is used as Hampton Park.[13] Years later, the celebration would come to be called the "First Decoration Day" in the North.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/30/opinion/30blight.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
> I read about the "roots' (no pun intended) of the holiday a few weeks ago. It is not history that has been rewritten but history that was suppressed.
I didn't mean to infer anything was being suppressed. Not at all. Sorry if that came across that way.
> Yes, Eric, it is about honoring the fallen who GAVE us our freedoms. I do have a small problem with your POV and also yesterday some POVs in the Yodel post.
What exactly did you find problem with? I looked back at my post and didn't see anything much to do about it. Least I didn't think so. I was just talking about some little girl singing her boo-hiney off.
I got no problem with folks getting together and such. None what so ever. Nor I did try to imply any history was being re-written. I didn't mean that at all. I was just trying to mean that today's generation really has no clue what this day is all about.
I would LOVE to have some place to go right now and hang with someone or others but got no money nor means to get there. I know exactly where I'd go - at least for the day anyhow. That would be American Legion Post 1168 in Edgewood, IL just off I-57 south of Effingham. Both my surviving uncles are officers there and am told they are having a ceremony or two and a big supper tonight (dam good eatin).
If I had a flag, it would happily and very proudly displayed at this house every day.
Sorry if I offended or came off wrong. That's never my intention.
E.
I may have misread your intention.
The post was not to target you in any way.
If I could withdraw it now, I would.
Let people celebrate how they want to celebrate.
I actually still celebrate on May 30th.
When they changed all these holidays to Mondays , I think that they screwed up. No longer the day had meaning to some except for a long weekend.
Have a great day.
No problem Brother! You have a great day as well.
E
> It touches our family on a personal level. We do not, and should never forget.
> However folks choose to observe, there is still a day set aside to remind us.
Roger that - so as they know what it's about.
That's all I care about.
E.
Memorial Day is a time to celebrate the lives of those who fell in combat and that made the ultimate sacrifice. A time to remember "Old friends, Gone, but not forgotten.". No soldier expects weeping and moaning when they pass, most would prefer a wild party in their memory. When I head for the big dirt nap, I want everyone to raise a beer and say, "He had a great ride!!". That's why I do not object to the cook outs and all. That, to me is a celebration of what these brave men have given us.
Veteran's Day is a day to celebrate these same people AND those who served with them. Multiple remembrances for those who gave all for us is not a problem.
I served for 24 years and celebrate these guys daily. I will celebrate their service, but I do not readily participate in the marches, etc. I was a "support" troop. I gave time and effort, but am not near the level of those who served in combat. Those are the real heroes and they should be honored as such each and every day.
