A Monday Memorial

WHAT are you doing reading a blog today? Seriously, stop.

  • Get out the office.
  • Step away from the computer.
  • Put down the smartphone.
  • Nowish. (Or in 5 more minutes.)

someecards.com - I will be solemnly honoring our military this weekend because no one invited me anywhere funA History Lesson

This may come as a shocker but Memorial Day is not all about half-priced mattresses, furniture sales, summer deals marketing ploys; not about blockbuster movies and school ending sending thousands of idiot teenagers onto my highways; not about giving bankers, postal workers and government employees a day off.

While it may be debated when and where it exactly started, Memorial Day is about honoring those who’ve served this country and died. Doesn’t matter what you think of past or current political administrations, various military interventions around the world, right now there are men and women fighting and dying.

I’m lucky to have grandfathers who survived long military careers but many sons and daughters, wives and husbands, mothers and fathers aren’t. We owe so much to those who have and do serve.

  • Say thank you to a soldier, sailor, marine or guardsman (or woman).
  • Attend a parade. Clap and cheer as loud as you can, they’ve EARNED it.
  • Take in a ball game, give silence, take off your cap and show respect.
  • At the beach, the barbeque STOP for five minutes and remember WHY you are off work this Monday.

This is as close to serious as I get. I’m sure I’ll be back to silly by Thursday. FWIW.

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17 thoughts on “A Monday Memorial”

    1. Thanks for that Stan. Funny, I wrote this, scheduled it to publish yesterday and that was that. Didn’t tweet it or expect comments really; kinda thought this was a little ‘filler’ and now, glad I took the chance to hit publish. FWIW.

  2. Hi davina

    We have our special day on 25th April. As my Mother’s brother made the ultimate sacrifice aged 23, we were taken to the parade and taught the value of our freedom at a young age. For a few years there was a real anti-war movement and it seemed like the Anzac( Australian, New Zealand Army Corps) Day celebrations would fade away.

    However, our younger generation grasped that we were not celebrating war, but remembering and honouring those who fought and many now visit the places that our soldiers fell in France, Belgium and beyond.

    Great that you did a post like this Davina. I’m sure there will be many who are remembering today too.

    Patricia Perth Australia
    Patricia recently posted..A Pain in the Butt No worries-lavender to the rescue!

    1. We forget Patricia, I do. Everything has become commoditized and commercialized, it’s important to stop the marketing, smell the reality of things once in a while. Sorry to read of your family’s loss, thanks for sharing your story here.

  3. Hi Davina,

    I think you realize what they sacrifice a lot more when you live abroad. There are many countries where the US isn’t really liked worldwide but there are also tons where the US is adored. Because of the tens of thousands that died on the beaches of Normandy, to free Europe from Nazis, all the way to now.
    Thanks for helping keep this world a safe place.
    John Falchetto recently posted..Relationships at Blog World New York

    1. I’ve had a few other friends who’ve spent a good deal of time abroad John. Yes the U.S. isn’t always popular, but most of my friends tell me that some people are more accepting of Americans if not always of what America does. Would that I get the chance to travel more someday, meet lots of different people and be grateful for what I have.

    2. John, You wrote exactly what I was going to write. As a recent US ex-pat living in England, I truly appreciate the freedoms our country provides our citizens. Our Bill of Rights set the standard for freedom but unfortunately the ideal has not spread worldwide.

      I have visited the beaches of Normandy and gasped when I saw the thousands of grave markers at the American cemetery there. The continuing gratitude of the French people to Americans in that area is a strong reminder of our soldiers who gave their lives for others.

      Although I am writing this after Memorial Day, I am so glad, Davina, that you took the time to remind everyone that Memorial Day should be a somber holiday. Well done.
      Carolyn@The Wonder of Tech recently posted..Roadside America- For the Quirky Traveler in You!

      1. Thanks Carolyn. I knew the holiday was approaching and it just did not feel right to do a commercial post on public relations, or the business benefits of social media. Glad I decided to try something a little different.

      2. Carolyn,
        Yes I think it’s useful to go out and see how what we take for granted in N.America isn’t really the reality on the ground everywhere else.
        The fields full of white crosses are a strong reminder that freedom isn’t free, many have paid the ultimate sacrifice to allow others to live freely.

        I visited the memorials in Normandy a few years ago and the emotion they created was intense. From the local French ground keeper to visit US families, everyone was completly taken by the power of these mens’ sacrifice.
        John Falchetto recently posted..Relationships at Blog World New York

  4. You’ll get sillier far sooner than Thursday- at least I hope so. I am big on silly. Nice post, I liked it and think that it is important that we remember the reason for the day. Far too many don’t.

    1. Think I may post sometime Wednesday, and YES hopefully with some silliness too. This is the kind of ‘off topic’ post I used to think wouldn’t add to the blog, but now I’ve decided to try some different things, see where the fingers on the keyboard take me.

  5. My father was a combat wounded veteran from the Korean War and I served but fortunately did not have to go to War.

    This was a nice tribute to those serving; served; or made the ultimate sacrifice.

    Appreciate all of your freedoms.
    Bill Dorman recently posted..Do you have a defining moment

    1. I need to appreciate them more Bill. Possibilities seem limitless – and sometimes overwhelming – b/c of the sacrifices made by others. Glad I posted my little thanks, and that you took the time to read, comment.. as always.

    1. This was a whim post Tia, thinking ahead to the holiday. Just fired off something quick.. and I’ve cheated as I’ve spent more time online than I wanted. Oh well.

  7. Davina,
    Last nite I was walking behind two soldiers through a tough part of New York City (Hells Kitchen) and this person who had obviously fallen on hard times approached the young soldiers not to panhandle but to shake their hand and thank them for their service to their country. It’s was a very heartwarming and emotional experience for me.
    Riley
    RILEY HARRISON recently posted..WHY DO YOU LEAD A LIMITED LIFE

    1. You see a lot more of that these days Riley; I’ve been in airports and ballgames, see random conversations strike up, people buy a soldier a beer. I remember a 4th of July Braves game a few years ago; a fighter pilot threw out the 1st pitch and was embarrassed by the standing O. It lasted at least 5-10 minutes and he had to wave people down, so supportive the crowd. Very moving, thanks for sharing.

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