Burgold Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Bless those who sacrificed for freedom and those who endured loss of loved ones. Celebrate your freedom and mine. Happy #MemorialDay I've always been a cake eating civilian (that's what one of my great Marine friends labeled me anyway), but I've spent a lot of time volunteering in military hospitals helping marines, soldiers, sailors and their families recover. I've seen incredible staffs and shameful shortfalls, but by and large the people I worked with and the people I supported were ones of great will and made me proud. I remember tragedies, people who didn't make it out of the burn ward and victories after a fourteenth operation. Feelings of helplessness as you see a five year old kneeling and crying outside her Daddy's room and knowing you can distract and comfort, but not really help. All of these things I keep in my cake eating heart. I do not forget the sacrifices of the volunteer or the draftee. I also know without those sacrifices not only would I not have the same life or freedoms, I simply wouldn't exist. See, my Mom was born a Jew in 1939 Poland. My grandparents fled and escaped surviving the war in Russia, but without our Marines, soldiers, sailors, and allies I would never have been born an American or likely been born at all. So, thank you to those fallen, their families, and to those who sacrifice for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoodBits Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I recently spent a brief amount of time at the Vietnam Memorial. I live locally but don't get into the District much, and it had been years since I was last there. The somber mood was enhanced by the striking silence that the memorial somehow achieved in the middle of DC, and I stood for awhile watching people find the names of their loved ones on the wall. Sons and daughters, grandchildren, veterans finding names of people they served with who didn't make it back. I didn't know any of their stories, but watching all of them was a harsh reminder that every single one of those names had a story to go with it. They had family and friends left behind, and they made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and all of us who enjoy our freedoms because of them. Not "happy Memorial Day, let's go grill some hotdogs." How about take the time to reflect a little and do something today to help put everything into perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgold Posted May 25, 2015 Author Share Posted May 25, 2015 The happiness in it is in honoring their sacrifice and the freedom and life that it brought. Their sacrifice allowed our present. So, I don't begrudge the idea of a "happy" Memorial Day just like I have seen some wakes and funerals that were joyous celebrations. I do think that respect and reflection should be at the forefront and I totally agree that it's not a day for sales, bbqs and the unofficial opening of Summer as it has been often treated, but I do think there is a way to be honor and be happy. I am happy that I live in this country and celebrate the freedoms that I have. That happiness is tied to the work, struggle, and sacrifice of many. Hope this makes sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGoodBits Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Absolutely and I wasn't disagreeing. Just meant that people need to keep that perspective while they're enjoying their 3 day weekend and be mindful of the occasion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kosher Ham Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Don't watch the video, simply listen to the lyrics. Don't even consider who the artists are, or the type of song it is. Open that mind... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twa Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Ditto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEANDWARF Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springfield Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I've never really thought about it, but it just occurred to me that I've never known anyone who has died in combat. Doesn't make me look on this day with any less umbrage though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DallasBlowsBig Posted May 25, 2015 Share Posted May 25, 2015 God Bless America! God Bless our troops! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grego Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 james was in my platoon in the gulf. i'll never forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CRobi21 Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PokerPacker Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 <were you a hero?>Just watched that. It was a powerful way to end the documentary (until they cut to one of the guys singing Toy's favorite song during the credits). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Predicto Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I'm a day late to this thread, just catching up. Thank you to everyone who serves, and we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corcaigh Posted May 27, 2015 Share Posted May 27, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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