Full marks for this piece and its distinction drawing between a day to honor war dead and others gone(Decoration Day) versus a hat tip to veterans more broadly in November.
The Memorial Day concert was sickening, a one-size-fits all palooza for every private who ever served as a file clerk. It’s disrespectful to people like your husband, may he rest in peace. Thank you, Ruth.
For our little Memorial Day gathering in Old Mystic, the speaker showed a large photo of one fallen local soldier (Vietnam) and told that young soldier's (sweet) life and (horrific) death story. It was poignant, and pure. Sadly, few institutions and observances - even Memorial Day - seem able to retain their purity in America today.
Yes. I agree. We already have Veterans Day in November, so Memorial Day should be for the fallen. Thanks for reminding all of us and sharing your personal stories. It fills my heart.
We as a nation are getting further away from the home front anguish of WWI and WWII that was experienced by our parents and grandparents, especially the women. I totally agree with you about keeping the day a somber affair. It is one out of 365 each year, have your picnics on Saturday or Sunday. Let us remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country on Memorial day, we owe that much to their memories.
Thank you for telling us about Tommy. You honor his life and his service by telling his story. I agree that Memorial Day has become too much about the beach and not enough about the people who gave their lives so we can live our lives. Their sacrifice deserves to be remembered and honored on Memorial Day.
What the concert left me with was the realization that so many of those deaths needn’t have occurred because so many of those wars shouldn’t have been fought.
Thank you for making the attempt to remind others of the *WHY*. I have tried to correct the misstep over the years to no avail. The media have helped to conflate the erroneous verbiage, leading the unaware/unwilling to blur the line between the two days.
My ex, my father, my FIL, two uncles -in- law, and one grandfather- in- law have all served. One uncle- in- law was KIA during WWII, leading his brother to join the military, over his mother's objections. We knew intimately the difference. Maybe it takes losing someone to appreciate the distinction?
Maybe it does, Cindy. I was very touched by how my mother-in-law kept that picture of Tommy on her bedside table for decades. It certainly brings the lesson home. They deserve to be remembered.
Full marks for this piece and its distinction drawing between a day to honor war dead and others gone(Decoration Day) versus a hat tip to veterans more broadly in November.
Thank you, Wayne!
Thank you, Maura. As a widow of a soldier killed in Vietnam, I totally agree with your perspective in this piece.
The Memorial Day concert was sickening, a one-size-fits all palooza for every private who ever served as a file clerk. It’s disrespectful to people like your husband, may he rest in peace. Thank you, Ruth.
What a heartfelt tribute to Tommy and remembering the fallen.
For our little Memorial Day gathering in Old Mystic, the speaker showed a large photo of one fallen local soldier (Vietnam) and told that young soldier's (sweet) life and (horrific) death story. It was poignant, and pure. Sadly, few institutions and observances - even Memorial Day - seem able to retain their purity in America today.
Isn’t that the truth. I used to enjoy watching the Memorial Day concert but this year’s was a travesty.
I agree with you completely, Maura! I’m all for inclusion but we have Veteran’s Day for those who served and weren’t killed on duty. Sigh
Yes. I agree. We already have Veterans Day in November, so Memorial Day should be for the fallen. Thanks for reminding all of us and sharing your personal stories. It fills my heart.
Thank you, Carole!
We as a nation are getting further away from the home front anguish of WWI and WWII that was experienced by our parents and grandparents, especially the women. I totally agree with you about keeping the day a somber affair. It is one out of 365 each year, have your picnics on Saturday or Sunday. Let us remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country on Memorial day, we owe that much to their memories.
Thank you for telling us about Tommy. You honor his life and his service by telling his story. I agree that Memorial Day has become too much about the beach and not enough about the people who gave their lives so we can live our lives. Their sacrifice deserves to be remembered and honored on Memorial Day.
Thank you for your family’s story.
What the concert left me with was the realization that so many of those deaths needn’t have occurred because so many of those wars shouldn’t have been fought.
Exactly. The Civil War and WWII were unavoidable. The others were all optional and ultimately tragic.
Thank you for making the attempt to remind others of the *WHY*. I have tried to correct the misstep over the years to no avail. The media have helped to conflate the erroneous verbiage, leading the unaware/unwilling to blur the line between the two days.
My ex, my father, my FIL, two uncles -in- law, and one grandfather- in- law have all served. One uncle- in- law was KIA during WWII, leading his brother to join the military, over his mother's objections. We knew intimately the difference. Maybe it takes losing someone to appreciate the distinction?
Maybe it does, Cindy. I was very touched by how my mother-in-law kept that picture of Tommy on her bedside table for decades. It certainly brings the lesson home. They deserve to be remembered.
Thank you for remembering him as well
My hubby was amazed at what I was able to find