Thread: Memorial day observed - Do you approve?

This Monday in the states we set aside a day, May 28th to recognize those who have served our country through the military.

I am curious to know for I have not personally talked to anyone avid enough to have this view.

I know many people are against war. War of any kind at any time. It is just not justifiable to many.
Trying to focus on those who served rather than pro war or anti war, how do you feel about the people who have served in war? For those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and died in war?
Are you against their serving? Provided it was not a draft.
I beleive there are both pros and cons to this debate.

My family observes Memorial Day at the gravesides of fallen soldiers. We perform two small services, as adopted from the standard VFW service. We honor without question as to why, but in recognition that they DID. We do a circuit of four cemeteries all together.

Many headstones and graves lay unattended across this nation and around the world. If nothing else, consider heading to a cemetery with a trowel, a whisk broom and a gallon jug of water and do something to keep the memory of the sacrifices these men and women made visible... and remembered.

Originally Posted by pj

My family observes Memorial Day at the gravesides of fallen soldiers. We perform two small services, as adopted from the standard VFW service. We honor without question as to why, but in recognition that they DID. We do a circuit of four cemeteries all together.

Many headstones and graves lay unattended across this nation and around the world. If nothing else, consider heading to a cemetery with a trowel, a whisk broom and a gallon jug of water and do something to keep the memory of the sacrifices these men and women made visible... and remembered.

I agree with you pj.
And always remember POW and MIA !
I few of my employees wanted to work Monday to get ahead.
I told them they should observe this day, for I would likely not be a entrepreneur and you may not have a job.

~My dad served in the Korean war.

Our ceremony will be conducted with my wife's step-grandfather, a WWII vet who fought in the South Pacific, at the memorial grave site of her real grandfather who died there, buried in Italy and later moved here.

My wife grew up with these services. Since we have been married, we've watched the ranks of this group of vets thin down to the one remaining.

This is the ceremony I cobbled together after there weren't enough left to continue the tradition. If any want to use it, please feel free:
--

This is an adaptation of the standard VFW graveside memorial.

The brief service requires people acting on behalf of the VFW Commander, Vice-Commander, Junior Vice Commander, Commander Officer Of The Day, Chaplain, President of the Lady's Auxiliary and a bugler or suitable way to play taps, if possible.

Acting Commander: The long tradition of Veterans of Foreign Wars graveside memorial services has been growing more difficult to carry on as the ranks of our treasured veterans grows thinner. While we cannot pretend to fill the shoes of these great men and women, we temporarily assume the roles of the VFW officers to carry on the tradition, acting on their behalf in commemorating the sacrifices of those who gave all for this great nation. We welcome any and all who would participate in this public remembrance of the heroic servicemen and women who have made possible the life we enjoy today. And so we begin the commemoration.

As long as any comrade's descendants survive - so long will the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, their families and friends render tribute to our heroic dead.

Comrades, on this day, forever consecrated to our heroic dead, we are assembled once again to express sincere reverence. This grave represents the resting places of many departed heroes who served in all wars. Wherever the body of one who defended their nation in the armed forces lies, there the ground is hallowed. Our presence here is in solemn commemoration of all these men - an expression of our tribute to their devotion to duty, to their courage and patriotism. By their services on land, on sea and in the air they have made us their debtors - for the flag of our nation still flies over a land of free people.

Chaplain, you will ask the divine blessing.

Acting Chaplain:
Father of us all! In the depth of our silent reverence we realize the truth of the inspired words, "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."

As comrade after comrade departs we carry on the tradition of recognition as the ranks of those who fought these battles grows thinner. Help us to be faithful unto You and to one another. Look in mercy on the widows and children of our departed defenders, protectors and comrades, we ask You, and with Your own tenderness console and comfort those who are bereaved.

Heavenly Father, bless our country with freedom, peace and righteousness. Through Your favor may we be reunited at last before Your throne in Heaven. We praise Your Great Name forever and forever. Amen.

Acting Commander:
Attention! Acting officers, family members and friends of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, we will now pay our respects to our departed comrade. In so doing we offer solemn tribute to all who have fallen defending the United States of America wherever they may rest. Acting Senior Vice-Commander!

Acting Senior Vice-Commander:
On behalf of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, I place this symbol of our remembrance. (Places wreath.)

Acting Commander:
Acting Junior Vice-Commander!

Acting Junior Vice-Commander:
I place this symbol of purity on this comrade's grave. May each future generation emulate the unselfish courage of all who fought for freedom. (Places white flower.)

Acting Commander:
Acting Commander Officer of Day!

Acting Commander Officer of Day:
In memory of the heroic dead who have fallen in defense of the United States of America I place this tribute of our devotion and everlasting remembrance. (Places red flower.)

Acting Commander:
Acting President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars!

Acting Auxiliary President:
On behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, I place this emblem of eternity. Its color bespeaks life everlasting. Thus do we immortalize the brave deeds of our soldiers, sailors and marines who have given their lives on land, on sea and in the air. (Places blue flower.)

Acting Commander:
On behalf of our glorious republic for whose integrity our comrades enlisted and served, I place this emblem of the nation. The flag of our country was theirs to defend. Its glorious colors shall wave over them in death as in life - for everyone to behold.

To you who have departed, we render a silent salute.

Comrades, Salute! One!

(All in uniform hold salute to grave for ten seconds. Those not in uniform hold their right hand over their heart.)

Comrades in the Silent Land Beyond, wherever your mortal remains may rest, these solemn services we hold in tribute to you.

Two!

(If available, Taps is played, the salute is ended and the participants are dismissed.)

Adapted from "VFW Ritual Book", (as revised in 1953.)

Yes I do approve. Why? No school.

I'm against war, in principle, and I don't have the kind of "brainwashed" patriotism that would require me to die for my country in a foreign land because some asshole sent me to make other people die for theirs.

That being said, I like memorial day, in a "not having to go to work" kind of way.

Amen, pj. That was very touching. It got me just a little bit choked up. When I was in the Cub/Boy Scouts, I got to participate in patriotic events such as this. As a child, it's hard to fully comprehend the magnitude of the message and of the sacrifice made by my fellow countrymen. As I got older my understanding has increased many times over. Not out of jingoism but, out of appreciation for what I have.

I respect and appreciate each and every member of our military, for each has the courage and selflessness to do what I myself lack the courage, bravery and strength to do. War is a necessary evil and I'd like to thank each one who has faced that evil so that I do have to. And so that most of our citizens don't have to.

We think freedom is free but, in actuality, freedom comes at great cost. That cost is often in the form of lives, lives with so much potential and heart who choose to give everything for the happiness and security of those who may not even know what was sacrificed or what was/is at stake.

Military conflict is never pretty. Nor is it pleasant. But everything worth having is worth fighting for. We should all be thankful (no matter where you live or were born) that there are those who understand and appreciate that fact of live.

To all veterans and current service men and women: Thank you so much. We all owe you a debt that we can never pay in full (where's a good "respect" smilie when you need it?)

Originally Posted by ataraxis

Yes I do approve. Why? No school.

Originally Posted by Replicon

That being said, I like memorial day, in a "not having to go to work" kind of way.

It looks like you both appreciate freedom. If it weren't for people dying for your freedom, you would not have it. That is a fact. It is not just a tired old talking point. It is the truth. It really is. History's conquesting dictators were not stopped in their tracks by their own boredom. They were stopped by people who valued freedom so much they were willing to die so others could have it. That is why memorial day is celebrated.

No way, when you join the army, it is not to kill, it is to defend your country from death. Those who served in the military by a non-draft deserved to be praised every day, not just on memorial day.

Originally Posted by xcrissxcrossx

No way, when you join the army, it is not to kill, it is to defend your country from death. Those who served in the military by a non-draft deserved to be praised every day, not just on memorial day.

I like your thinking. They should all be thanked though.

There is no question about it, when you join the arm its to kill. Now hopefully your defending your county at the same time but its still your job to kill people.

Originally Posted by Alric

There is no question about it, when you join the arm its to kill. Now hopefully your defending your county at the same time but its still your job to kill people.

Alright, you obviously don't at all understand what you're talking about, which has suddenly put your previous posts in perspective.

I don't? What do you think the job of a soldier is? To dance around and plant flowers? No, your job is to kill people. You can say its 'defense' but how do you defend yourself? By killing the enemy.