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Nice post, I think of my father a WWII combat Marine who fought in several battles in the south Pacific and was seriously wounded at Peliliu. I see his Marine photo, his flag and medal every morning. I miss him everyday. I think of my four friends from high school who died in Vietnam and my first college roommate who died in Vietnam five months before the war was officially ended.
This is my patriotism, not the flag waving, bumper sticker, ribbon magnet crowd. I believe they are what Thomas Paine called sunshine patriots.
Although I never served in the armed forces, I was in VISTA after college and worked in the barrios and black neighborhoods for legal aid, but I took same oath as you which I still take very seriously. I represented vets in administrative hearings including the first Agent Orange cases. It was a privledge and an honor to represent them.
Appreciate the thoughts here. So the post begs the question, how does a civilian (or anybody) practically present Memorial Day in greeting? Every holiday starts with Happy, Merry, etc. What would be the proper way to greet a veteran or somebody else who has lost friends/family in military operations in defense of our country?
I’m sure you’d get many different answers from many different people. Some veterans have no issue with “Happy Memorial Day.” In Fact, a Gold Star wife referenced it, interpreting that some people are saying- “I hope that you can find happiness.” You won’t find me disagreeing with a Gold Star family on Memorial Day.
From my perspective, if you don’t know who you’re talking to and what they’ve been through, then the best course of action would be to address the day and not the person. I would feel honored if someone were to simply say, “We Remember.” It is after all a day of remembrance. Regardless of how you feel about war, freedom, or the United States of America, humans remember and honor the memories of those that passed on before us in every culture.
Snarkyhistorian
June 2, 2021 01:34Nice post, I think of my father a WWII combat Marine who fought in several battles in the south Pacific and was seriously wounded at Peliliu. I see his Marine photo, his flag and medal every morning. I miss him everyday. I think of my four friends from high school who died in Vietnam and my first college roommate who died in Vietnam five months before the war was officially ended.
This is my patriotism, not the flag waving, bumper sticker, ribbon magnet crowd. I believe they are what Thomas Paine called sunshine patriots.
Although I never served in the armed forces, I was in VISTA after college and worked in the barrios and black neighborhoods for legal aid, but I took same oath as you which I still take very seriously. I represented vets in administrative hearings including the first Agent Orange cases. It was a privledge and an honor to represent them.
Thank you for your service and Semper Fi.
Drew
June 1, 2021 22:01Thanks for reading! Much respect for your service and sacrifice.
Barb
May 25, 2020 13:10❤️ beautifully said.
Drew
May 28, 2020 21:15Thank you Barb.
agoh7872
May 24, 2020 22:47Appreciate the thoughts here. So the post begs the question, how does a civilian (or anybody) practically present Memorial Day in greeting? Every holiday starts with Happy, Merry, etc. What would be the proper way to greet a veteran or somebody else who has lost friends/family in military operations in defense of our country?
Drew
May 28, 2020 21:23I’m sure you’d get many different answers from many different people. Some veterans have no issue with “Happy Memorial Day.” In Fact, a Gold Star wife referenced it, interpreting that some people are saying- “I hope that you can find happiness.” You won’t find me disagreeing with a Gold Star family on Memorial Day.
From my perspective, if you don’t know who you’re talking to and what they’ve been through, then the best course of action would be to address the day and not the person. I would feel honored if someone were to simply say, “We Remember.” It is after all a day of remembrance. Regardless of how you feel about war, freedom, or the United States of America, humans remember and honor the memories of those that passed on before us in every culture.