Thread: Memorial Day

This morning I walked up to the cemetery to attend Memorial Day services. I make it a point to go every year. Last year a friend of mine from high school gave the presentation. He told about his experiences in Vietnam and how he was wounded and his best friend was killed fighting next to him in a bunker. It was a moving speech about sacrifices that brought tears to the eyes of almost everyone in the crowd.
This year a young man from the National Guard did the program. Instead of honoring those that sacrificed and telling of his military experiences he started a rant about entitlements, social security, bringing back God in schools, healthcare, taxes and big government. It was a Tea Party speech. He must be running for some type of office. I could see the disappointment on the the gray haired veterans, the widows and most of the seniors in the audience. The presentation was totally inappropriate, but after he was done the young people hooted and hollered and gave the guy a standing ovation while the seniors in the crowd looked a little puzzled.
I will probably go next year, but if these services are political again it will be my last time.

Originally Posted by USA 1

This morning I walked up to the cemetery to attend Memorial Day services. I make it a point to go every year. Last year a friend of mine from high school gave the presentation. He told about his experiences in Vietnam and how he was wounded and his best friend was killed fighting next to him in a bunker. It was a moving speech about sacrifices that brought tears to the eyes of almost everyone in the crowd.
This year a young man from the National Guard did the program. Instead of honoring those that sacrificed and telling of his military experiences he started a rant about entitlements, social security, bringing back God in schools, healthcare, taxes and big government. It was a Tea Party speech. He must be running for some type of office. I could see the disappointment on the the gray haired veterans, the widows and most of the seniors in the audience. The presentation was totally inappropriate, but after he was done the young people hooted and hollered and gave the guy a standing ovation while the seniors in the crowd looked a little puzzled.
I will probably go next year, but if these services are political again it will be my last time.

That certainly goes against the stereotype that elders are conservative and teenagers are liberal. I take it that it's more related to the view of war today compared to the view of war in the past. I don't think the current generation really has a grasp of war -- or history, for that matter. I don't remember in what documentary or show I heard this comparison, but it was pretty enlightening. During one of the wars (a world war, I believe), the nation went through a time of poverty. Everyone would send food and supplies to the troops, and their jobs would revolve around supporting the troops. The entire nation was involved in the war, whether they were fighting in it or not. They showed a video of military "charities" (not sure if that's the appropriate term for it) on the streets, and a ton of people donating canned goods and money to send to the troops. Analogously, they compared it to modern America during the Iraq war, where it was almost exactly the same; duly noting the sarcasm, it was as if we weren't even in a war. People continued their lives (and still do today) as if nothing was happening. I don't know what caused this. A wise English teacher of mine said it was likely due to the removal of the draft - if someone wants to fight for what they think is right, it doesn't matter if I think it's wrong. People who are against the war don't speak out against it, because there's no likelihood that they will be involved if they don't want to be. Now, war has become something that only affects those who want to be affected. There's become a sort of mental divide between modern society and war, so I wouldn't expect them to understand a speech about how they chose to almost die or how their friends chose to die. If it's a war they don't support, they possibly don't care. Unlike with a draft, the death was something that had to happen - for the war or not. You don't know if they chose to die for you or if they were forced to. It adds an extra bit of sentimentalism.
But I digress. It's a shame they're not honoring the day appropriately. Perhaps a letter to the cemetery will prevent that in the future? Write a complaint that you're there for a Memorial Day service, not a political speech. When it comes to businesses, complaints are taken much more seriously than the average person would take them.

bringing back God in schools

I'd have booed them off stage as soon as this came up.

Originally Posted by Charles Stover

. Perhaps a letter to the cemetery will prevent that in the future? Write a complaint that you're there for a Memorial Day service, not a political speech. When it comes to businesses, complaints are taken much more seriously than the average person would take them.

.

The local VFW puts on the program. It was not their fault.

Originally Posted by USA 1

The local VFW puts on the program. It was not their fault.

The cemetery has every right and ability to tell the VFW to buzz off if they plan on making a similar speech again. I'm sure they'd gladly forward the message to the VFW for you, and the VFW would comply it if meant they were not allowed to give their Memorial Day speech anymore.

Originally Posted by Charles Stover

The cemetery has every right and ability to tell the VFW to buzz off if they plan on making a similar speech again. I'm sure they'd gladly forward the message to the VFW for you, and the VFW would comply it if meant they were not allowed to give their Memorial Day speech anymore.

The local VFW consists of a couple WWII vets, some Korean and Vietnam vets. Most are really old. They have a different speaker every year and I am sure they do not know or care what the content of the speech is as long as a vet gives it. Many people loved the speech so complaining would do no good. He was exercising his right to free speech, after all. If there is a repeat next year I will honor those that sacrificed in my own way. Just not there.

i've been watching the HBO production "Band of Brothers" for the past serveral hours. very good!! my father was in WWII and a captain in the navy. he past away in 1977.

i salute our veterans!!

morgan

Originally Posted by mtm1963

i've been watching the HBO production "Band of Brothers" for the past serveral hours. very good!! my father was in WWII and a captain in the navy. he past away in 1977.

i salute our veterans!!

morgan

My Dad was in the Navy during WWII. He was a Naval Armed Guard on a Liberty ship. During one convoy the ship behind him and the ship ahead of his were sunk by German torpedos. He said they could not stop to pick up survivors and had to keep steaming ahead full speed. Several times they were strafed by German Fighters and they shot one down. My Dad said he wasn't sure if it was his rounds that brought it down or not. He was humble that way. We lost him in '85.

Originally Posted by USA 1

My Dad was in the Navy during WWII. He was a Naval Armed Guard on a Liberty ship. During one convoy the ship behind him and the ship ahead of his were sunk by German torpedos. He said they could not stop to pick up survivors and had to keep steaming ahead full speed. Several times they were strafed by German Fighters and they shot one down. My Dad said he wasn't sure if it was his rounds that brought it down or not. He was humble that way. We lost him in '85.

they understood what needed to be done. that's a hard decision to make, but you make it because you know you need to continue the mission. i think too many don't understand that idea today.

mtm1963