Replies

1. 
   citrouille | May 29, 2006 06:38pm | #1

   Amen... and let's stop making more !
   We can't take care of the ones we have.

   Peace.

   C.

2. 
   charlesstanford | May 29, 2006 06:56pm | #2

   My now deceased father, a Marine during WWII, used to bristle at Memorial Day for living veterans.  It is not.  It is for men and women killed in service (less than half his platoon survived the war). 

   Veterans Day is for veterans.

   http://www.usmemorialday.org/

   Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

1. 
   BruceS | May 29, 2006 07:26pm | #3

   Today is a Bitter sweet day for me !  I am still here and some of my comrads arn't.   Their memory lingers very often in my mind and not just one day of the year.  I refused the Silver star and Purple heart for personal reasons.  That memory is hallowed .

   So God bless the Veterans, Quick and Dead.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   Napie | May 30, 2006 05:26am | #4

   Great-Great Grandfather: Indian wars in the west. Spanish American War in the <!----><!----><!---->Philippines<!----><!---->.<!----><!----><!---->

   <!----> <!---->

   Great Grandfather: The Great War, came home, but wounded in the trenches.<!----><!---->

   <!----> <!---->

   Grandfathers:  One in the Pacific, Navy, Coral Sea and Midway.  The other at the Bulge and with Patton.  Both made it home.<!----><!---->

   <!----> <!---->

   Father and an Uncle: <!----><!---->Korea<!----><!---->, dad came home…<!----><!---->

   <!----> <!---->

   Two uncles, Moms brothers: <!----><!---->Vietnam<!----><!---->, one is on The Wall. <!----><!---->

   <!----> <!---->

   Me, Navy: <!----><!---->Lebanon<!----><!---->, I watched the Marine barracks go down.<!----><!---->

   <!----> <!---->

   Nephew, Marines, someplace in <!----><!---->Iraq<!----><!---->.<!----><!---->

   <!----> <!---->

   Some do their duty, others let someone do it for them.<!----><!---->

3. 
   jigjigw | May 30, 2006 08:00am | #5

   America the land of the Free
   Because of the Brave.

   We all just did our duty,
   and some came home.