topic Re: Memorial Day in Community Chat

Memorial Day

151949 — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:21:01 GMT

My brother died in Viet Nam in 1968. I remember going with my parents & my SIL & the funeral director to the Air Force base to meet the plane bringing in his body. I thought , Wow there are certainly a lot of civilians here & a lot of hearses. They opened the rear of the plane and OMG - it was completely filled with flag draped coffins.There was a set of dogtags lying on top of each coffin to ID the occupant. Anyone who thinks Memorial Day is a holiday celebrating America - that is not what it is about.

Our country is currently at war, we have been since Sept 11, 2001. The very best of our young men & women are coming home every day as my brother did. Our country is at war - yet everyone here just goes along living their lives - complaining about paying taxes, disrespecting the flag , disrespecting those who run our country etc etc. It would be awfully nice if we could stand together - as a country united - the way the greatest generation did in WWll - and give our military the backing they need to go and win this war.

conRe: Memorial Day

Oznell — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:28:44 GMT

Deepest condolences to you, 151949, on what must be a very significant and heart-filled day for you. Thank you for this reminder.

Re: Memorial Day

Lucky Dog — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:33:55 GMT

What a difficult trip to make this must have been.

Re: Memorial Day

Gram W — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:46:42 GMT

@151949. Thank you for your post. Sadly you are so correct. The men in our family since Viet Nam have all returned home. The memories of the loss of their friends still haunts them. Our career man just retired after 20+ years and 6 tours in Irag and Afghanistan and my grandson was injured in Irag. They talk only to those who have been there. Their memories will never die. We are counting our blessings this weekend and remembering the service of those gone.

For those who have a parade close by please go and show your respect Teach the youngsters why we have Memorial Day.

Re: Memorial Day

Pooky1 — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:51:30 GMT

i agree with you. i have high respect for all men and woman that risk there lives for our country.

Re: Memorial Day

meallen616 — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:00:00 GMT

Re: Memorial Day

ms traditional — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:04:08 GMT

for many of us who lost dear ones on the battlefield, this is a poignant weekend. i always try to watch the wreath laying at Arlington - and always shed my tears. God bless all who have protected us.

Re: Memorial Day

151949 — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:05:22 GMT

It breaks my heart when I hear or read someone say we should cut spending on the military so they could have their taxes cut. What on earth are they thinking?How on earth could anyone think we can send our very very best young men & women over there to fight and not give them the best of everything possible to protect them?

Re: Memorial Day

seaBreeze — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:27:17 GMT

I agree with your sentiment .... we no longer have "picnics," but go to the cemetery with flower arrangements to honor those who fought, and remember our departed relatives. It is a solemn occasion. I thank your brother for his service to our nation.

Re: Memorial Day

aoldgirl — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:44:29 GMT

I so agree with you, I also serrved and during the Viet Nam era. I absolutely cringe when I hear people wish each other a "Happy Memorial Day" . Thats not what Memorial Day is about, It used to be called Remembance Day, They should remember, but you cann't make people remember, especially those who never lost someone in war... God Bless all Our Vets. But, for me the Vietman Vets, who never got the welcome home as heros that all other Veterans did. A honest, truly blessed, and long over due, Thank You for your service. I remember......

Re: Memorial Day

SilleeMee — Sat, 27 May 2017 15:13:33 GMT

My dad spent his whole adult life serving in the military. He was in three wars. He lived a short life, died when he was in his 50s. I believe the military took it's toll.

Re: Memorial Day

Carmie — Sat, 27 May 2017 15:23:27 GMT

@151949 I am so sorry for your family's loss. Your brother was a hero who died for his country.

Many families lost a loved one so that we Americans and other people might be free. Memorial Day is a day to remember all the sacrifices our young men and women made during war and peace times and lost their lives doing it.

Thank you for the reminder.

Re: Memorial Day

151949 — Sat, 27 May 2017 15:30:04 GMT

@SilleeMeeMy Uncle was a post WWll engineer who worked for the government on the development of nuclear bombs. They lived out in California at Edwards AFB and he was one of those guys you see in pictures in a foxhole watching them set of bombs in the desert. You'd think he would have gotten cancer but , miraculously he lived to be 91 years old and died from kidney failure. However, every one of his 4 children eventually got cancer - 2 ovarian and 2 breast. All but one died. He spent the later years of his life racked with guilt because he felt they got this so young (one was only 19) because of living so close to where they set off those bombs. Being in the military is no easy way of life.

Re: Memorial Day

spent2much — Sat, 27 May 2017 16:05:37 GMT

"The home of the free... because of the brave."

So true. I love that quote. THANK YOU to each one who has served. We truly owe you our lives.

Re: Memorial Day

Suziepeach — Sat, 27 May 2017 18:18:33 GMT

@151949 and other's who lost a loved one in war, I am so sorry.. They truly gave their all. I am of the VietNam era, my first husband served, as my husband now served- both proudly for our country.

Re: Memorial Day

KingstonsMom — Sat, 27 May 2017 17:23:02 GMT

Re: Memorial Day

on the bay — Sat, 27 May 2017 17:32:31 GMT

I'm so sorry @151949-

That is so sad-what a heartbreaking never to be forgotten day. I wish it never happened to anyone. Saying a prayer for your brother and you.

Re: Memorial Day

goldensrbest — Sat, 27 May 2017 18:17:51 GMT

It is shameful how the boys were treated when they came home from vietnam, and those that gave their lives, none received the respect they should had, those times were not good.

Re: Memorial Day

Suziepeach — Sat, 27 May 2017 18:20:52 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
It is shameful how the boys were treated when they came home from vietnam, and those that gave their lives, none received the respect they should had, those times were not good.

@goldensrbest, how very true. My husband was talking to a gentleman that served in the Coast Guard, this morning. I mentioned how so, so many were forgotten from VietNam, both alive and those that gave. Those times were not good at all..

Re: Memorial Day

goldensrbest — Sat, 27 May 2017 18:24:58 GMT

I have a question, it is about the flags that are put on the graves, is this for just the men that served ,or died in a war? I ask because my husband spent 10 years in the air force, never went to war .