Memorial Day...not always cheeseburgers

This is a compelling narrative by Retired Staff Sgt. Luke Murphy. "What veterans really think about on Memorial Day"

Here is a link to the article: http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/22/opinions/murphy-veterans-thoughts-about-memorial-day/


Retired Army Staff Sgt. Luke Murphy served two tours with the 101st Airborne Division's 187th Infantry Regiment. He was catastrophically wounded in 2006, when a roadside bomb blast resulted in the amputation of his right leg. He is the author of "Blasted by Adversity: the Making of a Wounded Warrior." Find him at LukeMurphy101.com.

Remembering History:
Memorial Day was started by former slaves on May, 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. They dug up the bodies and worked for 2 weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. They then held a parade of 10,000 people led by 2,800 Black children where they marched, sang and celebrated.

I don't think about Nam much anymore. I no longer go to ceremonies. I don't know why. I think I may have become too cynical. But America's heroes, past and present, are in my heart everyday; not just one week-end in May. There's something about Memorializing the fallen that just doesn't sit well with me when the killing never ends.

Bikerdoc said:

There's something about Memorializing the fallen that just doesn't sit well with me when the killing never ends.

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+1.
Well said, Doc. :dispirited:

Joe

Would it be alright to at least say, " Thanks for the commitment and sacrifice. " ?

I've never really known exactly how to react on Memorial Day. Celebrate or be somber ? My father-in-law started in the Army Air Corp in 1944 and got out ( of the Air Force by then ) in about 1972. So, he was active in three wars. He was a flight engineer and aircraft mechanic, so I don't think he was directly shot at. But, I could be wrong. He never told me any stories about friends lost in combat.