Memorial Day ... what a surprise.

[Spock]

It seems like the only ones who get to celebrate holidays are those who didn't earn them. I twinge with empathy to see the poor service members who are required to "grin and bear it" for the cameras because they were tasked by someone over them to show a presence at this celebration or that. I accidentally watched the beginning of the National Memorial Day Concert on Public Television last night and quickly turned it off when they got into some account of two brothers, one who got his legs blown off in combat and the other who committed suicide over "Survivors Guilt". What do they know!

Holidays and vacations seem to be for those who can afford them. I was in the military from 1965 to 1987 and never seemed to have time to rake a vacation. I sold back over two years of vacation time when I retired ... I lost the rest. Later, when I had work, if I didn't work, I didn't get paid. It didn't matter if it was a Federal Holiday or not.

Now, I'm not working because I don't have a job, so I guess I can celebrate this holiday but why? I remember my friends who never came back almost every day. Why should I "celebrate" that on a particular day? I often wonder why I came back and they didn't. It doesn't seem fair somehow.

I'm glad there is a better public atmosphere for our current veterans. When I came back we were spit upon and called "baby killers" whether we had fired a shot or not. It didn't matter that we served to protect our country from others and to keep the battlefields away from our shores (fat lot of good that did!) We also fought to protect the ability of others to protest whatever they wanted. It's called free speech. Funny thing is, when you're in the military you don't have free speech. If you speak out against something you're slapped down for making "an unofficial statement" that "does not reflect the attitudes of the US Military" or whatever.

I have other thoughts about times like this but feel I've dug a deep enough hole as it is. Hopefully I won't get into too much trouble for "speaking my mind". I did fight for the rights of freedom of speech, didn't I?

[stepper]

It isn’t always easy to ‘celebrate’ when you remember there are those who aren’t coming home, when there are those who were left overseas, when there are some who are lost to time without grave or marker except in the memory of a few; too few.

It isn’t always easy to celebrate when you remember that your government’s solution to the violence perpetrated on its returning soldiers was to put the onus on the soldiers and tell them to change out of uniform in any available rest room before leaving the concourse or airport.

It isn’t always easy to celebrate when you remember how, for political expediency, your government ‘pardoned’ all the cowards who fled the country (for Canada mostly) rather than serve in some capacity, or claim conscientious objector status. Estimates of how many fled to Canada vary but the numbers range between 50,000 to 125,000.

It isn’t always easy to celebrate when you hear that some cities have canceled their memorial day activities because there aren’t enough veterns around any more. It’s as if only veterns remember the sacrifice of members of the military, and there’s no reason to teach the next generation about those people or what they did, and besides, dead veterns don’t vote (except in Chicago) so why spend money on remembrances? Or even worse, why spend money on existing memorials that no one visits?

And you aren’t alone.

“One day a year we stop to think
Of all the loved ones we have lost.
We have parades,
and wave some flags,
And think of wars gone by.
We stand in graveyards
with the rest,
And we may even cry.

The bugle sounds
as taps is played;
And then the honor guards salute.
Another day has come and gone;
And the bugle now is mute.

The little flags will wave again;
In just another year.
How many more will bleed and die;
And then lie here so still.
Not telling of the pain they felt;
Upon some distant hill.

We must remember all year long;
Not just one single day.
We must remember
throughout the year;
Not just Memorial Day.

By: LCDR Bob Prinselaar”

I did fight for the rights of freedom of speech, didn't I?

Yes you did – and no one here would think of denying you that right even if you were not a veteran. You see, you are not alone in regard to veteran status here even amongst the many silent lurkers, and few posters.

But I need to comment on

It seems like the only ones who get to celebrate holidays are those who didn't earn them.

I sort of like it that way. It’s not that I approve of forcing military members to participate in one parade or another on a day meant to remember those who served. I too know of the trials of losing companions, and fearing The Wall because of how I know it will affect me, and I always tear up when I hear Taps. I also remember the stories of my father and uncle and aunt and others who served during WW-II. For instance, any time my uncle thought things were going badly, he’d go to the bedroom and look at his dog tags. They reminded him how bad things really could be you see. And dad only spoke of the war if you asked a specific question. His stories don’t bear repeating here.

When I was younger I participated in a couple of those parades as a boy scout. I ‘remembered’ without understanding what I was doing, nor why the memorial in the park mattered to so many. I don’t have the same level of memories as my forebears. I’ve never experienced a world war. My parents appreciated what Memorial Day means better than I did, and that was okay with them.

Now I have a much younger sister and brother, and nieces and nephews. They know even less than I. For them, it’s a holiday where some TV stations show old war movies, and they know the day is about remembering those who died for their country. Their closest association is the news people talking about Afghanistan. They spend the day together and playing and grilling burgers and hotdogs. And for me, that’s okay.

I earned them the right to celebrate, as did their father, as did my uncle, as did everyone whose name is on The Wall, as did everyone from Flanders Field American Cemetery in Belgium with its 386 American war dead, to the 14,246 at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France (both World War I cemeteries) to Lorraine American Cemetery in France with 10,489 soldiers - the largest American WWII cemetery in Europe, to the more than 400,000 interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Everyone who gets to celebrate has someone in the past to thank for that privilege.

Despite their size differences the cemeteries have much in common. The stone crosses and Stars of David are inscribed with the name, rank, etc., and date of death. Some of the crosses simply say “Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Unknown but to God.” “American Soldier” is replaced with “Comrade in Arms” on WWII crosses. How can you repay a debt to ‘an American Soldier Unknown but to God’, or to that person’s family who never found out what actually happened to their lost loved one? You can’t, so you celebrate Memorial Day and you remember that you owe them, and you remember those who before you knew that freedom isn’t free. And you let others celebrate in what ever manner seems best to them because you earned that right for them.

One other thought. Since you earned the right for others to celebrate as they chose, you get to celebrate in the manner that you chose, and to say whatever you wish.

[Spock]

Thanks for your response stepper. I was having a bad day yesterday and have managed to recover somewhat now.

I apologize for showing so much emotion.

[Spock]

Gosh, here it is, another "National Holiday"! Why am I not surprised that I am underwhelmed?

I just made the following Facebook post and thought I would share it ... at least in here where a limited number of people can see it.

Don't tell me you respect me and what I did while in the military today or any day and then go right back to destroying my country. If you really want to show respect for the military and the rights we fought for so you could enjoy them, show it by voting in the next election and all others after and elect someone you think will bring this country back closer to what our founding fathers would recognize rather than the mess it is right now.

Don't say, do!

[Scrappy Amazon]

Personally I'd rather not get this country back to something the founding fathers would recognize. Freedom my @ss. Misogynistic racist white men. Wait.....that sounds EXACTLY like what's going on in this country right now.

Congratulations.

As for your service......I come from a family with a LONG history of military service. We have had a member of our family serve in EVERY branch except the coast guard. I believe in what they do and what they sacrifice. One of those freedoms is to do and say what I like as long as I'm not hurting anyone else. I value that freedom. This is me exercising that freedom right now. That is how I honor that. By standing up and speaking my mind. (which I could not do 200 years ago)

But I also understand that its a rare thing anymore that what they do is "so I can keep my freedom". Does doing what they are told make it any less a sacrifice? No. Just means the wrong people have had control over them for a while now.

I apologize if you're feeling under appreciated. Thank you for your service. But don't preach to me about what this day should stand for when the reality is that it can and should mean something different for everyone. Including not celebrating it at all.

And definitely don't tell me I should vote for someone YOU think will "bring this country back closer to what our founding fathers would recognize".

I vote for the person who I think will keep things moving forward.

Sometimes I'm wrong. But that's the great thing. I get to try again every couple of years.

[Spock]

Jul 4, 2013 20:55:36 GMT -6 Scrappy Amazon said:

... definitely don't tell me I should vote for someone YOU think will "bring this country back closer to what our founding fathers would recognize". ...

That's why I specifically never said who you should vote for nor did I say we should be "exactly" like the country was during the day of our Founding Fathers. We have progressed to much for that.

I just feel like we are going in the direction of a totalitarian society and don't want to be around when it happens. I think the borders should be open to new immigrants that believe in this country enough to come live here permanently and make us great again, not just come in long enough to bleed us of whatever they can so they can send it to what they really feel is their home to their families there.

I believe that of two people care for each other, they should have the same resources and rights as any other two people, regardless of race, creed, or gender. Just don't try to force me to have to socialize with you if I don't like you as a person.

I believe in a lot of things that you may or may not believe in. That doesn't matter. That you are passionate about your beliefs and are willing to defend them does.

Sometimes I feel like my main job anymore is just waiting to die.

[Scrappy Amazon]

Sometimes I feel like my main job anymore is just waiting to die.

You are the only person who can do anything about that. If you don't like it, work to fix it.

And while I'm still mostly pissed off and in rant mode:

Soldiers aren't the only people who fight for our freedoms. Extraordinary courageous people fight for our freedoms everyday. Ordinary boring people too.

[Spock]

Jul 5, 2013 1:24:04 GMT -6 Scrappy Amazon said:

... Soldiers aren't the only people who fight for our freedoms. Extraordinary courageous people fight for our freedoms everyday. Ordinary boring people too.

I agree. Police are on patrol year after year with no rotation "out-of-country" to relax. Firefighters put their lives on the line more often than soldiers in combat and usually with less recognition.

Rant away, if more people get fed up enough, maybe we can band together and make changes for the better.

[scamp]

Jul 4, 2013 19:48:12 GMT -6 Spock said:

Gosh, here it is, another "National Holiday"! Why am I not surprised that I am underwhelmed?

I just made the following Facebook post and thought I would share it ... at least in here where a limited number of people can see it.

Don't tell me you respect me and what I did while in the military today or any day and then go right back to destroying my country. If you really want to show respect for the military and the rights we fought for so you could enjoy them, show it by voting in the next election and all others after and elect someone you think will bring this country back closer to what our founding fathers would recognize rather than the mess it is right now.

And this:

Jul 4, 2013 21:57:56 GMT -6 Spock said:

I just feel like we are going in the direction of a totalitarian society and don't want to be around when it happens. I think the borders should be open to new immigrants that believe in this country enough to come live here permanently and make us great again, not just come in long enough to bleed us of whatever they can so they can send it to what they really feel is their home to their families there.

I believe that of two people care for each other, they should have the same resources and rights as any other two people, regardless of race, creed, or gender. Just don't try to force me to have to socialize with you if I don't like you as a person.

Sometimes I feel like my main job anymore is just waiting to die.

Spock, you and I would probably disagree on much. But we both might be surprised that we would agree on as much as we probably do.

I do understand your comment about your job being waiting for death. I've spent my life trying to get college kids to think. I've come to think it just doesn't matter. Yes, I teach lit but it seems that much of my time is actually given over to teaching history. I'm an stubborn old fool who refuses to accept that words like Dunkirk, Normandy, Hamburger Hill, among many other should be forgotten. It doesn't matter to anyone but me. And I'm walking in a "lost decade" which is only a cover-up for the serious error America made when it dreamt up the fantasy of being a service economy. I have made no difference to anyone or thing.

Where I live, in the armpit of America, we've had our share of Latinos moving to live amongst us. Yes, they do want better lives. But they also believe in working damn hard for it. They don't seem to believe this rubbish about service economics any more than I do.

I've been a lesbian for my entire life. Yes, I do believe that my partner of decades and I should enjoy the same *civil* rights as any other couple. But I don't think any church/religion should be forced to marry us. Actually I cringe at the word marriage. Nor do I think that any company not owned by the government should be compelled to hire any one. I do believe in in equal pay for equal work. While I see some relationship between gays and blacks, I also acknowledge that there are large disconnects. The man who owns all the Chik-fil-lays (spelling?) is a devout Christian. No church that I know of has a doctrine that skin color denotes sin. However, my sexuality is a sin in his mind and in the doctrines of his faith. Why should he be forced to hire me? I've never understood that -- there is this funny little thing called separation of church and state. On the other hand, I own my government though it might find that idea shocking -- not that I own my government because I'm gay, but because I'm a citizen who has paid taxes since I was 12.

As to who befriends me or not, or who I befriend is my own choice. As it is your own choice.

In writing this, the titles of two books dance in my head: The Banality of Evil and Prisons In Which We Choose To Live (great title, terrible book). The first should be mandatory reading. I would offer you, Spock, the second title as an invitation to come into the sunshine knowing, as every military man must, that all epics are fought by the rearguard -- at Roncevaux and Thermopylae. As we both stumble towards eternity, remember you are an man of epic.

scamp