🇺🇸WHY 'HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY' IS INAPPROPRIATE🇺🇸

AuberriJean · ‎04-09-2014

http://people.com/celebrity/why-happy-memorial-day-is-inappropriate/

"If you’re not off work today, you might be perusing online sales in your half-staffed office. Or you might be planning on attending a BBQ later.

Whatever you’re doing, don’t wish people a “Happy Memorial Day.”

Here’s why.

Memorial Day descends from the Southern tradition of “Decoration Day,” where families would travel to the cemeteries where their ancestors were interred to place flowers on their graves.

Often, large groups of extended families would make the trip, religious ceremonies would take place and food would be served.

Decoration Day used to reflect the cycles of farm life, taking place in late summer when farm work was lightest or in autumn after the seasonal harvest. (Some areas would also observe it on Sundays, to coincide with church services.)....

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.....Memorial Day as a national holiday did not pass into common usage until after World War II, and wasn’t even designated as the holiday’s official name until 1967.

In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day from its fixed date (along with three other holidays) to the last Monday in May. The law went into action on the federal level in 1971, and within a few years, all 50 states adopted the change.

Memorial Day is not – as Veterans Day is – a blanket remembrance of those who have served in the nation’s armed forces.

It is specifically designated to honor those who have died while serving the country, and because of its gradual erosion into a “start of summer” celebration, a number of organizations and individuals advocate for the return of the holiday to May 30, including both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran, introduced a Congressional measure to return Memorial Day to May 30 in 1987, and continued to do so every year until his death in 2012. In 1999, he wrote,

“In our effort to accommodate many Americans by making the last Monday in May, Memorial Day, we have lost sight of the significance of this day to our nation.

Instead of using Memorial Day as a time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by Americans in combat, many Americans use the day as a celebration of the beginning of summer.”

Writing on the Listserve in 2013, U.S. Marine Tony Bundschuh elaborated on the idea. “There is a difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Veterans Day is the one where we give thanks to all that have served, but Memorial Day is supposed to be a somber day set aside for remembrance of those that have died serving their country. It is not a happy day.”

Former SEAL Kevin Lacz, who served with American Sniper Chris Kyle in the platoon SEAL Team THREE Charlie, echoed those ideas this year on MyStatesman.com.

“Memorial Day needs to be a solemn remembrance of the brave Americans who have laid down their lives for the freedom we cherish.

Frankly, the mere act of putting on the uniform isn’t heroic. As Americans, we have begun to overuse the word ‘hero ‘ I stand by my claim that the real heroes are the men and women who don t come home. Memorial Day is for them.”

And lastly, in 2015, writing in the Washington Post, Marine Corps veteran Jennie Haskamp linked to the Congressional Research Services’ list of American War and Military Operations Casualties.

There are over 1.3 million names on the list.”I hope you enjoy your weekend,” she wrote, “but I hope you pause to remember, too.”

One small way you can do that: In December 2000, a resolution for a National Moment of Remembrance was passed, which calls for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect” at 3 p.m. local time.

Alternately, consider donating money to one of the many organization that supports families of combat-wounded or killed veterans or veterans themselves, like Hope for the Warriors, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or Homes for Our Troops."

AuberriJean · ‎04-09-2014

I’m a veteran, and I hate ‘Happy Memorial Day.’ Here’s why.

I have friends buried in a small corner of a rolling green field just down the road from the Pentagon.

They’re permanently assigned to Section 60. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it’s 14 acres in the southeast corner of Arlington National Cemetery that serves as a burial ground for many military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are fresh graves there.

I spent my formative years in combat boots and all of my friends are in the military, were in the military, or married into the military.

I have several friends buried at Arlington, and know of dozens more men and women interred in that hallowed ground....

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/05/22/im-a-veteran-and-i-hate-happy-memorial-...

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

Whether we like it or not, traditionally Memorial Day also signals the beginning of Summer, which many people celebrate.

There are also people who celebrate the life of a deceased loved one.

I'm not about to chastise anyone who says Happy Day to me. I put up a few traditional patriotic decorations and feature the photo of my direct ancestor who died from war wounds fighting for the Union. I do think it's good to remember all who fought for our freedom but imo it doesn't have to be a day of mourning.

sunshine45 · ‎03-09-2010

OP-ED......just another point of view......

full article at

http://observer.com/2015/05/its-perfectly-ok-to-say-happy-memorial-day/

Navy Pilot: It’s Perfectly OK to Say ‘Happy Memorial Day’

For those who see this day of remembrance being trivialized, it is easy to take offense at the suggestion that there is anything happy about it.

I do not recall my father or grandfather giving much thought to how they would greet neighbors at our own backyard picnics—it was always “Happy Memorial Day.” Perhaps that is because prior generations needed no reminders about what the holiday signified. My grandfather’s war, WWII, was a national effort, in which everybody sacrificed something. My father’s war, Vietnam, was deeply divisive, but at least everyone knew it was happening. The draft ensured a lot more families had skin in the game.

Today it is different. Less than 1 percent of Americans have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. The vast majority of civilians do not know anyone who died there. The farther into our national memory these wars recede, the more important it is to maintain reminders of the price paid. That, I suspect, is the underlying reason behind excising the “Happy” out of Memorial Day. But however well intentioned, this attitude does nothing to preserve the memory of those who died defending our way of life. In fact, it does the opposite.

I do not know a single veteran who expects the country to mark this holiday with 24 hours of uninterrupted sadness. A few years ago, I spent Memorial Day at a military cemetery visiting my grandfather’s grave. Though I was there to grieve, I could not help but recall stories that made me laugh—like when his plane’s emergency raft deployed in flight, and his machine gunner nearly shot off the tail trying to deflate it. Smiling at that memory, I realized I was not alone. All around me was the sound of quiet laughter, as families gathered before simple white headstones to remember loved ones lost. These days, when I reminisce with my buddies about friends who did not come home from war, the stories we most often tell are ones that bring us joy.

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"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@AuberriJeanThanks for the history. I had forgotten all about Decoration Day, but now I remember that in the 1950's when I was in high school, my Pennsylvania town commemorated the day with a parade. I was a member of the band; we marched in a parade which ended at the local cemetary where there was always a program honoring the sacrifice of our local deceased vets.

Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@AuberriJean wrote:

I’m a veteran, and I hate ‘Happy Memorial Day.’ Here’s why.

I have friends buried in a small corner of a rolling green field just down the road from the Pentagon.

They’re permanently assigned to Section 60. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it’s 14 acres in the southeast corner of Arlington National Cemetery that serves as a burial ground for many military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are fresh graves there.

I spent my formative years in combat boots and all of my friends are in the military, were in the military, or married into the military.

I have several friends buried at Arlington, and know of dozens more men and women interred in that hallowed ground....

Continue reading

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/05/22/im-a-veteran-and-i-hate-happy-memorial-...

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I was locked out of your article becasue I don't subscribe to WashPo.

My brother in law died suddenly last week of cancer. He was in the Navy and will be buried at a military cemetery... we were very close.

My husband was US Air Force, thankfully never hurt.

Both of our fathers had top security clearance and worked for the war department during WW2.

I have always been a proud supporter of our veterans and want them to get the best medical care possible and financial help if they need it.

Sweetbay magnolia · ‎04-14-2013

Is it OK to wear red white and blue? And decorate my porch in the same?

In my mind I am paying homage to the deserved.

Cogito ergo sum

AuberriJean · ‎04-09-2014

@Noel7 wrote:
@AuberriJean wrote:

I’m a veteran, and I hate ‘Happy Memorial Day.’ Here’s why.

I have friends buried in a small corner of a rolling green field just down the road from the Pentagon.

They’re permanently assigned to Section 60. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it’s 14 acres in the southeast corner of Arlington National Cemetery that serves as a burial ground for many military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are fresh graves there.

I spent my formative years in combat boots and all of my friends are in the military, were in the military, or married into the military.

I have several friends buried at Arlington, and know of dozens more men and women interred in that hallowed ground....

Continue reading

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/05/22/im-a-veteran-and-i-hate-happy-memorial-...

****************************

I was locked out of your article becasue I don't subscribe to WashPo.

My brother in law died suddenly last week of cancer. He was in the Navy and will be buried at a military cemetery... we were very close.

My husband was US Air Force, thankfully never hurt.

Both of our fathers had top security clearance and worked for the war department during WW2.

I have always been a proud supporter of our veterans and want them to get the best medical care possible and financial help if they need it.

My family lost several heroes who perished in combat.

Not a sure why you can't read the article.

I don't subscribe to WashPo and I can read it.

My condolences to you and your family.

AuberriJean · ‎04-09-2014

Why I No Longer Say “Happy Memorial Day”

I’ve been guilty.

I’m 34 years old- a good patriotic southern girl with a firm respect for our military- but it didn’t hit me until last year that the words “Happy” and “Memorial Day” should never coexist in the same sentence.

I was at a family member’s BBQ. A wonderfully kind and compassionate family member was gravely bothered. Someone had called her out for saying “Happy Memorial Day.” She was concerned that she had offended someone.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry about it. They are just overly sensitive!” I assured her.

And I went back to watching my kids splish and splash in the blow-up pool.

But I couldn’t brush the issue aside. And neither could my other family members. We debated and quickly realized the error of our collective ways.

For 32 years, I gorged on hamburgers, devoured home-made ice cream, and wakeboarded and inter-tubed all day long on the river. As a show of respect for the day, my Dad always purchases a brand-new American flag to display proudly on our dock.

It is a day where we enjoy our freedoms. And let people know that we love America.

But, I’d never really even paused to consider what Memorial Day is all about.

The full gravity and solemnity of this day – the day that is set aside to honor the men and women who died in combat- had somehow escaped my consciousness......

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.......A young combat veteran, who did time overseas in Iraq, recently approached me and told me how hard Memorial Day is for him. How immensely uncomfortable it makes him when people to thank him for his service. He’s home now, with his family. But he lives with the vivid memories of his colleagues and superiors dying in combat. Dying to save him.

I can’t imagine the atrocities he witnessed and now can’t forget. “Don’t thank him,” he implores. Instead, remember the fallen soldiers and their families. He says, “Thanking a combat veteran on Memorial Day has always seemed awkward and somewhat hurtful.”

I see the images, floating around social media, of young widows- with clenched faces- lying on blankets atop the flower-covered graves of their husbands. Some of these women have babies in their laps- babies that will never see the face of the father who died protecting all of our freedoms.

And just this morning I read brutally raw and honest commentary, published by the Chicago Tribune, titled I’m a veteran, and I hate ‘ Happy Memorial Day.’ It’s powerful stuff. Read it.

I get it now. I’m sorry veterans and family members of the fallen.

I shouldn’t have ever said it.

I’ll say it all day long on the Fourth of July. I’ll thank you on Veterans Day. But today I’ll refrain from the word…because…

There is no “Happy” in “Memorial Day.”

It’s a day of remembrance.

Today is a day where we should pause, pray, and give gratitude to the 1.3 million brave men and women who have died to protect the very freedoms that we are privileged to enjoy on this beautiful day.

So in addition to all the fun and revelry in which we partake….let’s stop and remember."

http://www.bonbonbreak.com/no-longer-say-happy-memorial-day/#.WSifbYUpDYU

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Noel7 · ‎03-09-2010

@AuberriJean wrote:

My family lost several heroes who perished in combat

Not a sure why you can't read it.

I don't subscribe to WashPo and I can read it.

My condolences to you and your family.

@AuberriJean

WashPo has a policy that if you don't subscribe to them, you only get to look at three free articles from them per month. I've obviously used up my share already They are a great source.

Thank you for your condolences, Augergine.