Observing Memorial Day
May 19, 2008
I’ve been thinking about Memorial Day, which this year falls on May 26th. This holiday is a day of remembrance in the U.S. that is often just a nice long weekend at the beginning of summer, since the date shifts to keep it on a Monday. I asked if anyone is blogging about it or doing anything else special on this forum, where I also provided some links to further resources. What about you? Any thoughts?
Stoneman’s Corner
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I hate to admit it but Memorial Day had become just another day for me. I forget to take the time to stop and consider the lives of those who died for me and our country. After reading your posts I decided to do something positive in celebration of this important day. I’ll be giving it some thought. I appreciate the inspiration. Thanks
The real problem is this has become the unofficial start to the summer in the US as opposed to a solemn holiday that should be celebrated in reverence. Something just make you go Hmmm…
Ben
I agree, Benny, and it doesn’t help that its date is moved to accommodate a three-day weekend. Problem these days, though, is that we have a bunch of families who will be in mourning on that weekend—one more manifestation of the strange gap between those who are contributing to the war and the general public.
Here are some resources for those who died in our most recent major conflicts. First, there is The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall Page. Second, there is an excellent list of databases tracking US fatalities in the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars, whereby not surprisingly the emphasis is on Iraq.
I decided to do a Memorial Day post on my personal blog, instead of here, because that is how my day went: http://markstoneman.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/memorial-day/
Hi Mark,
I love this blog, it is full of all kinds of information. My dad is retired army, and is a Vietnam vet. Most people don’t even realize how much of his life he has sacrificed for their freedoms here in United States. I am going to email him your blog address and hopefully he will take a look.. I think he will like it.
Thanks for such a great blog!
Kathy