Happy Memorial Day

[Robert_Anderson]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Difficult day for me and thus ever since 1972, I've taken a long walk around noon time, regardless of weather.

Wish Congress would revert back to the traditional May 30th day verses the last Monday in May. IMO, it lost some meaning when they made a 3 day weekend out of it.

I spent 18 out of 24 overseas, and don't know how they do it today -- multiple deployments, some of which are in all practical terms back-to-back. I was in 2 combat environments, but not 4 in 3 years or less. (as an example).

God speed. Everyday is memorial day to me.

Bob

Great post, Bob! I have spent many years overseas myself, but I can always pause and thank those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

[Still-One]

When I was 12 our family attended Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington.
In 1997 Linda and I attended Memorial Day Ceremonies at the American Cemetery near Flanders Field in Belgium.
In 2012 we attended Ceremonies at the American Cemetery at Normandy.

These events have left a lasting impression on me over the years.

[Higgens]

A very important remembrance for the USA.

[For The Love of Music]

Memorial Day serves as an honorary day remembering those that paid the ultimate sacrifice:

- American Revolution: 4,435 deaths; 6,188 wounded

- War of 1812: 2,260 deaths; 4,505 wounded

- Mexican War: 13,283 Deaths; 4,152 wounded

- U.S. Civil War: 620,000 deaths; 476,000 wounded; 400,000 captured or missing

- Spanish-American War: 2,446 deaths; 1,662 wounded

- World War I: 116,516 deaths; 204,002 wounded

- World War II: 405,399 deaths; 671,846 wounded

- Korean War: 36,574 deaths; 103,284 wounded

- Vietnam War: 58,209 deaths; 153,303 wounded

- Persian Gulf War (1990-91): 382 deaths; 467 wounded
“Global War on Terror,” including the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars:
+6,800 deaths; more than 970,000 disability claims registered as of March 31, 2014

[crwilli]

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Memorial Park, Beaufort SC

[For The Love of Music]

Changing of the Guard, Arlington Cemetery 2018 - Impressive and at the same time watery eyed emotional as you look onto the grounds to the ones in particular that did not make it home from hostilities during unsettling times, testing, conflict, and all out war.

We lost 2 boats since we went to an all nuclear fleet, and those losses were hard lessons learned to allow me many years later to play in the Cold War under the ocean navigating nuclear powered submarines against the Soviet Union.

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[Antonmb]

I grew up in a small town, and I remember when I was in grade school, on the school day before Memorial Day the whole school would assemble outside by the flagpole for ceremonies. I don’t remember everything done, but a student (me one year) would recite the Gettysburg Address from memory, and we would sing the “Battle Hymn of The Republic.” Then on Memorial Day there would be a parade (procession really) with local VFW members and a detachment from the nearby army base (Ft Devens). They’d stop at the memorial with the names of local soldiers from the Revolution onwards, and end at the cemetery for taps and a 21-gun salute. We were only 20-something years from World War II, 10 from Korea, and not yet fully engulfed in Vietnam - it was a day that had powerful meaning for many, and it was conveyed to us as kids. I remember being truly moved.

Somehow it doesn’t feel the same now, and it’s sad it doesn’t seem to have the meaning to some that it used to. We go to war now with no real sacrifice at home except for the soldiers and their families, and it’s just another story on the news that nobody watches anymore.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Difficult day for me and thus ever since 1972, I've taken a long walk around noon time, regardless of weather.
Wish Congress would revert back to the traditional May 30th day verses the last Monday in May. IMO, it lost some meaning when they made a 3 day weekend out of it.
I spent 18 out of 24 overseas, and don't know how they do it today -- multiple deployments, some of which are in all practical terms back-to-back. I was in 2 combat environments, but not 4 in 3 years or less. (as an example).
God speed. Everyday is memorial day to me.
Bob

Well said, Bob. As a fellow combat vet (was lucky, not on the front-line in VN) I share your thinking. Especially in some of our latest 'political' conflicts (although, in the end, aren't they all).
Thanks to you and all our other vets. Especially those who did not get to 'come home'.