As our country prepares to observe another Memorial Day, I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday weekend. My heart goes out especially to all of those who have served our great nation. It is because of their sacrifice that we remain free. In spite of the challenges we’ve faced, and continue to face, we are still a blessed nation. Let’s all take a moment to remember the spirit of the day this Monday. Have a great weekend!
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Yes Julie! I agree whole heartedly with your sentiments. Thank you for speaking what is in my heart. I cringe whenever I hear “Happy” Memorial Day!
Our daughter Amy is a gold star wife and her little Emma is a gold star daughter. Our son-in-law was killed in action in Iraq. Amy has been a mentor to new gold star families and works as a TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) volunteer as her response to her loss. We hope everyone will keep all gold star families in their prayers, not just today, but every day.
Yes, this can be a sad day for those who have lost loved ones and we all know someone such as young class mate just out of high school that was killed in 1944. But also a happy day for those of us who have had husbands badly wounded and survived-sons who also served in the navy and came home safely-but now us widows in our 90’s who have the honor to take flowers to the cemetery and place them beside the American Flag and pass on the stories and tradition to the younger generation is very important.
I believe you missed the mark on this one titling your blog “Happy Memorial Day”. There is nothing happy about it actually as it marks a day of Memorial, a day of Remembrance for those who were killed while serving this great Nation. I know a large number of Gold Star families whose loved ones were killed in combat and this day is in no way happy for them. I realize that many do not know the difference between the holidays for our military service members and their families but there is no better time than the present to learn. Perhaps a better term for your title would have been Honor Memorial Day or Remember Memorial Day.
As a large number of my friends mourn the loss of their children, spouses, family members and friends on this day there is a deep reverence for their service and lives ending too soon. Please keep in mind: ARMED FORCES DAY = those who are ACTIVELY serving in our U.S. Armed Forces. VETERANS DAY = those who have PREVIOUSLY served in our Armed Forces. MEMORIAL DAY = those who were KILLED IN ACTION while a member of our Armed Forces.
I enjoy your blogs and I don’t want to seem overly defensive about this but really, our Country needs to honor and remember all who have heeded the call to serve in what ever capacity the particular “holiday” refers to them.
Julie M. Ramirez
Proud Mother of a US Army Veteran
Well said, Julie. My daughter is an Army veteran and I am grateful that she is home with us now. It was not that she could and others could not but that she did and others did not.
God bless our fallen veterans and God bless America!
Our Memorial Day tradition is the flowering of the graves of family and friends. As I no longer live where my parents rest, we take flowers to the graves of my aunt and uncle and place flags for my uncle and his cousin who served in the military. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to all to served and are serving to protect our American way of life.
Our family has served this country in war and defense since the Revolutionary War and I have lost two brothers to the war in Viet Nam. Our freedoms are precious and hard won, lets not forget.
Memorial Day is here, we will be going up to Redding (3 hours from us)where Papa is
buried who served in the US Army, he passed when I was in the 6th grade a major loss to our family I will never forget. We just buried Mom who was 99 years old next to him this last Oct. where she shares a plot with my younger brother. It’s an annual visit with flags and flowers for the gravesites. A sad day, but a day set aside to show our respect and love. Carmel
I find that our holidays to honor our military are more often than not……….misunderstood. As a military family, I share this.
Memorial Day: May 30, 2016 (always celebrated on the last Monday in May so each year the date will change)
A day to honor and remember those who have “died” in service to this country.
Armed Forces Day: June 25, 2016
Created to honor and acknowledge those who are “currently” serving this country.
Veteran’s Day: November 11, 2016
A day to honor, remember and acknowledge those “living individuals who served” in our military to protect our freedoms. Even freedoms that are abused, like freedom of speech.
The key word of respect is slipping away in our society, but can be learned best thru observation more than someone just using the word. God Bless our America…………….
This is the day to remember all those who are serving and have served in our military, so that we can remain free and safe, especially those and their families who have given the ultimate, their lives. Please fly an American Flag to show you remember them.
As a Canadian, we really only have one national day of observance for our veterans and those still serving…it is in November and it is called Remembrance Day. There are solemn ceremonies and parades but no barbecues etc., and definitely no sales associated with it! I am glad that you have posted the true meaning of this day. I hope that people do remember all those who sacrificed so much for your beautiful country when they are taking part in family celebrations, all made possible by so many of those selfless men and women, and their families.
Forgot to mention to all of you please stay safe and have a blessed Memorial Day.
Yes please let us not forget all these men who sacrificed their lives for us…. The true meaning is not just a barbecue but to take out time during your day to give thanks… If it is at all possible go to the Veteran Cemetary and say a prayer for these brave men.