THINKING OF THE FAMILY’S OF OUR LOST SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN ON THIS MEMORIAL WEEKEND MAY GOD BLESS YOU 🇺🇸

[One300wsm]

THINKING OF THE FAMILY’S OF OUR LOST SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN ON THIS MEMORIAL WEEKEND
MAY GOD BLESS YOU .

 

[swavescatter]

.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Memorial Day is for the dead, not the living.

Edit - I will leave my comment, but note that the OP edited his post from Veteran’s Day appropriate to Memorial Day appropriate. It wasn't originally about the families.

This holiday always messes with my head. I got thanked for my service this morning and it just didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t explode on the person, but it put me into an introspective spiral for a couple of hours. And I saw this post in the middle of it.

I’ll be thinking of Corporal Chad Wade, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, KIA December 1, 2010, Garmser District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.


These young men understood it:

I’ll also be thinking of Thomas Lamont, after whom the art gallery at my boarding school was named. My school’s motto was “non sibi” and he embodied it.

 

[Hoghead]

It's to remember the folks that gave everything so we can be free. I would think in my opinion those families gave up a lot too.

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[One300wsm]

Memorial Day is for the dead, not the living.

Edit - I will leave my comment, but note that the OP edited his post from Veteran’s Day appropriate to Memorial Day appropriate. It wasn't originally about the families.

This holiday always messes with my head. I got thanked for my service this morning and it just didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t explode on the person, but it put me into an introspective spiral for a couple of hours. And I saw this post in the middle of it.

I’ll be thinking of Corporal Chad Wade, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, KIA December 1, 2010, Garmser District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

View attachment 1070162
These young men understood it:
View attachment 1070163
I’ll also be thinking of Thomas Lamont, after whom the art gallery at my boarding school was named. My school’s motto was “non sibi” and he embodied it.

That’s correct, me and “AI” had a stupor moment while traveling this morning. A simple DM would have been more appropriate for the situation at hand. But it’s all good I got it corrected, thanks.

 

[gwtravis]

Lt William N Mitchell
August 28, 1944 Loscoat, France

 

[One300wsm]

Private First Class Dwight Downey
Private First Class Lori Taylor
Corporal Rudy Comer
Hospital Corpsmen HN Marvella Campbell
RIP

 

[insanelupus]

Memorial Day

Another day dawns,
And the flag still waves,
O'er the land of the free,
And the home of the brave.

Through early watch,
Into day with sun up high,
To setting dusk,
Into brilliant starry night.

Patriots one and all,
Who willed to serve,
Then were felled,
Buried now "neath the earth.

A grateful nation bows,
And a humble thanks we say,
To all those who served and died,
As we remember this Memorial Day.

- Anonymous

 

[One300wsm]

Bump for our service men and women that gave all!!!!

 

[Karl B]

CPT Aaron R. Blanchard
KIA 23 APRIL 2013 Logar Province Afghanistan

Miss you every single day big brother

 

[One300wsm]

Sad day if this is all the fallen soldiers we have on Rokslide !!!

 

[swavescatter]

Sad day if this is all the fallen soldiers we have on Rokslide !!!

Wouldn't that technically be a good thing?

 

[Pharmseller]

I got thanked for my service this morning and it just didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t explode on the person, but it put me into an introspective spiral for a couple of hours.

Help me understand this sentiment. When I see a service cap I thank the wearer for his/her service.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Help me understand this sentiment. When I see a service cap I thank the wearer for his/her service.

I’m a veteran. I’m not dead. Memorial Day is for remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I just don’t like being thanked for my service by someone who seems vaguely aware that Memorial Day has something to do with veterans.

There is a way to relate to a veteran specific to Memorial Day, maybe, “I know this might be a tough weekend for you, because I know you lost people close to you, so I want to thank you for your service.”

But I haven’t done anything to merit special thoughts because of my veteran status on Memorial Day. I am no different - on Memorial Day - than any other living person. That’s all.

There’s a certain mentality that only thinks of service members a couple of times a year. And I would honestly rather never hear from them than have them think of me on Memorial Day (or even worse, Labor Day, which has also happened). It brings out a certain bitterness in me. Of course, it’s still better than the outright cynical use of service members and veterans for political purposes. Or the thinly-veiled contempt and condescension of others…

I’m not saying my position is entirely rational. It’s definitely pedantic and probably irritating to others. And I definitely would not have been fun at a party on Saturday morning. Or maybe anytime.

 

[Pharmseller]

I’m a veteran. I’m not dead. Memorial Day is for remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I just don’t like being thanked for my service by someone who seems vaguely aware that Memorial Day has something to do with veterans.

There is a way to relate to a veteran specific to Memorial Day, maybe, “I know this might be a tough weekend for you, because I know you lost people close to you, so I want to thank you for your service.”

But I haven’t done anything to merit special thoughts because of my veteran status on Memorial Day. I am no different - on Memorial Day - than any other living person. That’s all.

There’s a certain mentality that only thinks of service members a couple of times a year. And I would honestly rather never hear from them than have them think of me on Memorial Day (or even worse, Labor Day, which has also happened). It brings out a certain bitterness in me. Of course, it’s still better than the outright cynical use of service members and veterans for political purposes. Or the thinly-veiled contempt and condescension of others…

I’m not saying my position is entirely rational. It’s definitely pedantic and probably irritating to others. And I definitely would not have been fun at a party on Saturday morning. Or maybe anytime.

Understood.

Again, help me understand, how can you ascertain their mentality from such a brief interaction? And why are you assuming you’re getting special thoughts on Memorial Day?

When I see a service cap I thank the wearer for his/her service, regardless of the day. (For those who do the same, Costco is a target-rich environment.) Maybe, just maybe, some (most, even) of the people reaching out to you are doing the same. Are you wearing a service cap or some other piece of clothing that identifies you as a veteran?

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Understood.

Again, help me understand, how can you ascertain their mentality from such a brief interaction? And why are you assuming you’re getting special thoughts on Memorial Day?

When I see a service cap I thank the wearer for his/her service, regardless of the day. (For those who do the same, Costco is a target-rich environment.) Maybe, just maybe, some (most, even) of the people reaching out to you are doing the same. Are you wearing a service cap or some other piece of clothing that identifies you as a veteran?

I don’t wear the ball cap or anything like that. My daughter and I sometimes wear my old boonie covers if the sun is particularly hot. My veteran status is probably generally known in my neighborhood, but I don’t wear overt signs of it most of the time.

I can’t quote the interaction verbatim, but it was an awkward conversation. This person lives at the end of my street. We don’t interact often and then never more than civil greetings. I don’t know much about him, just that he’s retired and friendly. I have never discussed being a veteran with him. I saw him while I was out walking my dog. I wished him a good morning. He said something to the effect of “enjoy your special holiday on Monday.” I thought I misheard him and said, “excuse me?” He said, something like, “you know, it’s a holiday celebrating veterans. You are a veteran, right? We should all be thanking you, especially this weekend.” I simply replied, as I always do, “thank you for your support.” It just made me think about the nature of military service in our society and what Memorial Day is about.

I generally don’t like being “thanked for my service.” I volunteered and did my part. That’s all. I’m not a hero. I’m not ashamed of my service, but being thanked for it always makes me feel awkward.

 

[Pharmseller]

I generally don’t like being “thanked for my service.” I volunteered and did my part. That’s all. I’m not a hero. I’m not ashamed of my service, but being thanked for it always makes me feel awkward.

Well, to me that means you earned it.

 

[realunlucky]

Well, to me that means you earned it.

While I agree with your sentiment and appreciate your intentions, it definitely hits different on memorial day if you served with people that died defending this country. I typically don't correct people and just go about my business but it stings on the inside.

On the inside it feels like I've cheapened thier sacrifice by stealing the thanks that they earned, I simply didn't die. No doubt it's different for everyone.

I encourage everyone to find someone special to remember on memorial day - something simple like a little name card sitting on picnic table during the BBQ. That's how we can truly honor the fallen on memorial day.



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