If you’re a regular at IHTM you’ve undoubtedly seen comments from WhiskeyRiver. The grizzled old Vietnam vet from New Mexico sent us his poignant perspective on Memorial Day and we thought you might enjoy it as much as we did.
I don’t care much for Memorial Day, it reminds me to remember things I would rather forget. This weekend is the beginning of the summer season. People will be heading to the lakes and campgrounds. Boats, beer, fishing and playing, most having no clue as to why they are getting a three day weekend. Most do not understand that Veterans Day is the day we should be celebrating with our veterans who are still with us. Memorial Day is the day we remember, and honor, those no longer with us.
I have always thought the two days we remember, honor and thank our veterans should be reversed.
Today should be Veterans Day. Spring is here, the grass is green, the fruit trees have bloomed, nature’s life cycle has begun again and what could be better than celebrating the coming of the summer season with a vet. Veterans Day is about the living and should be celebrated when our earth’s cycle of living begins once again.
Memorial Day should be observed on November 11. The weather is usually cold, bleak and windy, more fitting for the moment. It is a day to remember those who never made it home, those who were lost or buried in some foreign land. It is the day we shed a tear over those who came home in a flag-draped coffin. It is the day we celebrate the lives of those who survived, and now feel sorrow because they are gone.
I hope all of you take a moment to remember what this holiday is all about while you are enjoying your time with family and friends. Stop for a minute, gather them around you then say a little prayer for those who have fought and died protecting our country and freedom. Little John, Stan, J.R. and Bill. I will never forget my brothers and I will keep your memories alive until it is my time to join you.
May God bless America and the men and women in our armed forces. May He bring our sons and daughters home soon, never to be sent to die on foreign soil again.
This post was last modified on May 30, 2011
View Comments (35)
Very well put, Whiskeyriver:) I would love it if Memorial Day was changed to Veteran's Day. Thank you for your service to our great country:)
OooRah!
WhiskeyRiver,
My sons and I drove to Abilene to visit with my husband Saturday morning and returned late yesterday. He has been gone for over two weeks now and we couldn't stand it anymore plus I needed to give him his RA injection so he could continue working those 16 hour days. As I read what you've shared I knew how lucky we are that he is in the state, that we had the opportunity to go and spend a bit of time with him and know that he is safe. We are lucky as so many families can not simply drive a couple hundred miles to see their loved ones. All I have to say is, Thank You. And to let you know that whenever I meet a veteran I always shake their hand and thank them as well. I wish I could shake yours and let you know how much you and every other living or soul gone home from a battlefield is so appreciated in our family. Blessings friend.
Thank you for your kind words Tess. If life works that way, I live about 4 hours from Abilene and would like to meet your man, you, and your family. If not, that is the way life works.
That is something all of us who haved served our country understand. We might meet each other one day but odds are, no. But, thanks to todays electronic age, that does not mean we cannot say hello, how you doing, once in a while.
You are most welcome and appreciated. You never know old country girl like me doesn't mind driving to meet someone like you Whiskyriver ~! Someday we might just show up on your doorstep for a nice chat. All my blessings to you friend ~!
Whiskey River's sentiments are right on target. However, he forgets that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was the day when flags were placed on the graves of fallen patriots. The freshness of May, not the darkness of November, is certainly the proper time to decorate the graves of our lost loved ones with flowers and with flags for our military heroes.
It was started in the SOuth. Decoration Day was designated to revere the fallen soldiers of the CSA. The north never much cared, I guess.
Great article whiskeyriver...and thank you for your service to our country.
Every once in awhile I read the Gettysburg Address and I never cease to be amazed at the power of those words, especially the "last full measure of devotion".
I think about the lives cut short in their prime and how all those men and women will never marry, have children, see their children again or grow old with their loved ones.
And yet, I think too many Americans don't fully appreciate the meaning of both Memorial and Veteran's Day and the sacrifices that continue to be made...it's just another holiday to party on and on and get a day off. Sad.
I just heard barry's empty words spoken at Arlington today. The man wasn't even there. And to echo Whisky's disdain for Memorial Day-evidently the CIC didn't get the memo about not "celebrating" on such a solemn day. Barry was so solemn and thoughtful today, he went out and played freaking golf! I puked in my mouth a little when I learned that the CIC played golf with his drinking buddies on Memorial Day. He may as well have whipped it out and pissed on the Tomb Of The Unknowns at Arlington. I am sickened to say the very least. Doing that in the same week he was chomping on gum at the memorial for the victims of the Joplin, MO tornado is a little much to take.
I will now go to bed angry that the man who so flippantly commits our troops to unwinable situations, got to play golf on Memorial day, while so many mourn our lost military, their lost families across the heartland, and the south is under water. Must be an interesting life to have no conscience, intellect, or cooth!
I just got home from the many celebrations I attended today and now know Mr. Editor decided to post my rant, my feelings, about Memorial Day. I thank him, as all of you should, for allowing us to express our feelings on IHTM.
I have shed a lot of tears today, from our local American Legion breakfast to the V.F.W. luncheon in a town sixty miles from my home. I am humbled by the fact that I was able to shake the hand of a soldier or airman, welcoming them home, while they were telling me that they had to go back, they just had a little leave time and came home for a visit with family.
I also want to thank the readers here for your kind comments. I am a little drunk, a lot of toasts have been raised for our fallen brothers today. My "designated driver" is telling me it is time to go and she knows best so I gotta go. May God bless America and protect the men and women who protect us.
Well spoken, Whiskey. You're a very special man. Heart big as the Montana sky. America is lucky to have you.
This is very moving. Thank you!
I just want to say something else.
I would like liberals to note that the military cleaned Bin Laden's body, had an imam there ready to go and gave him a decent burial that many of our soldiers (especially those of past wars) never got to have. Saw a story about Union soldiers that died and they are still unknown. All I am saying is this, these men and women are honorable and in my opinion worthy of some recognition, especially those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.