Heroism is latent in every human soul - However humble or unknown, they (the veterans) have renounced what are accounted pleasures and cheerfully undertaken all the self-denials - privations, toils, dangers, sufferings, sicknesses, mutilations, life-long hurts and losses, death itself - for some great good, dimly seen but dearly held.
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain (Union hero of Gettysburg)

Memorial Day is the holiday we don’t ‘celebrate’. No one should want to celebrate, it’s to be ‘observed’ or ‘commemorated’. It’s sad there even needs to be such a day. But like so many other things that people do, yet blame God for, war will always exist and therefore a need to solemnly remember those who have died. Everyone appreciates a three day weekend but this day should be like Christmas and Independence Day and observed/commemorated like it was for many, many years and as it was intended. Something else that’s recently creeped into this day of remembrance is forgetting that the purpose of the day is to remember those who have DIED FIGHTING for OUR FREEDOM. It’s not Veteran’s Day and certainly not a day to just remember everyone who’s died, as I recently saw written by some USA Today idiot. I’m a Veteran as are many in my family. Of all the several members of the family/extended family who have served in the Armed Forces only a fraction had seen combat (I’m not one who did) and only one has been wounded, none, thankfully has been killed. I pray that ‘record’ so to speak, continues indefinitely. It’s all the more reason I hold Memorial Day as special, for as many of my kin have served that none need be ‘celebrated/commemorated’ on this day. All the more an indication of just how ‘special’ those are who’ve given their very lives for the freedom and liberty of their fellow Americans. They gave up their future in payment for ours. There are many who’ve come very close, like one nephew wounded badly in Iraq , who will never be totally the same but is now going about getting on with his life. Perhaps there should be a day to ‘celebrate’ those like him, or those many, many over our nation’s history, who’ve died or been injured in training, just staying ready to fight. And certainly for those who’ve put in an entire career of service and passed away in old age. But this is not that day. THIS DAY we HONOR THE FALLEN.

Shot (over)

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/flag/1bfb_disp4.html

http://www.blackfive.net/main/2004/04/taking_chance.html

What are your memories associated with this day? To make it more interesting be sure to add the approximate date, place, and other facts and people associated with your recollection including references to what things of cultural significance were happening at the time. Examples would be clothing and hair styles, cars, music, sports, etc.

This memory was selected by Shot for posting from the "Comments" for Armed Forces Day.   Please submit your comments for Armed Forces Day under Shot's original post - Armed Forces Day.

"My memories of this particular holiday go back to the house I lived in with my four brothers and little sister in San Diego. It was military housing so it was a small 3 bedroom house with a one car garage. After having BBQ in the back yard and missing our Dad because he was away on duty, my brothers would go into the garage and turn the one bicycle upside down to use the front wheel as a ship wheel and they would wear outfits like sailors pretending that they were at sea and the waves were so strong and big that they had to yell commands to each other to keep the ship on course. The only way I got to play with them was to be a nurse on the ship, I wasn't allowed to carry a rifle or steer the ship. If we were on the ship or in combat on land, I had a little bag with red cinnamon drops like tic tacs for pills. If you had a headache or a shot off arm you could always stay alive with a red tic tac. My brother Patrick had his life saved many times by those red tic tacs. Also I remember jumping off the roof of the house a few times, my mother wouldn't let me join in with my brothers after I did it a couple times, but it was fun when they thought they were jumping out of planes going over enemy territory because they would make their landings so dramatic and to the point of making all the noises of guns shooting at them and planes going over and bombs going off that for a kid you'd think you were there....at least I did. The smell of a ship always takes me back to special days like this going on my Dad's ship for a tour and all the other men on the ship saluting him in his uniform. I can never forget the shiny shoes he always wore. It's sad that after six months of not seeing him while he was away at sea, I'd go run to give him a big hug and he'd put his arms out to stop me so I wouldn't scuff up his shiny shoes. Damn shoes. I'll write more later." (Submitted by: C-Sista)

WHAT MUST BE DONE

He showed a certain confidence when I lined up next to him,

Not cocky, just contented, but he seemed to force his grin.

He asked if I was one who would go to fight a war.

"It might be better now," I said, "than to see what lay in store."

He seemed relieved, then lost in thought, when I said that I was one.

I thought at once, there is no doubt, he knows what must be done.

As we moved along our way, he stumbled, nearly fell.

And as they cut my hair he said, "There's something I must tell

About this conflict going on, it might get out of hand.

It seems to me that we don't have any business in that land".

His eyes were clear and voice sincere, his points made one by one.

Still I thought, that he could see, that something should be done.

Stopping next at the clothing point, I picked up all my needs.

"It's not what I would wear," he said, "if I wanted to succeed.

But those who choose this type of work need such sturdy wear.

They need lots of clothes this color but have little need of hair."

Along we moved together and as he rambled on,

I just had to question his resolve to get things done.

Next, we reached the issue point, and I gathered up some stuff;

Canteens, and pack, and other gear, I'll need when things get tough.

"Someone should prepare to fight," he said," I suppose, if that need be.

It makes me glad that it is so, if we are to stay free."

Sure wish this were like the Big Ones, not like those jungle wars,

But we never seem to believe, we have a True Cause, anymore.

Indeed, at times I'd pondered, why I'd gotten in this line.

We wait, and wait, and wait, and wait, then hurry up when time.

For me, I think, it might have been, the travel, thrill and fun,

But in my heart, I guess I knew, there was something to be done.

And so it is, that I am here, not itching to be bloodied,

But ready still to pay the price, if Freedom would be muddied.

If war should be the course this time, or in some time to come,

I'll be ready when they call, and I will do what need be done.

The line bogged down, and so, we were stranded for awhile.

He wrung his hands, and wiped his brow, as we shuffled in that file.

He's a weak-kneed sort, I thought, who feels there's nothing worth a fight.

Would he go the extra mile, even if the time was right?

I mused a rule of house keeping, ‘clean up the mess while small',

But ‘fast-lane life' deceives us, and we ignore the call.

My friend agreed, but turned away, while nodding it was so,

Then offered up some reasoning, on why he shouldn't go.

Not interested in the least, was he, in picking up a gun.

I put my rifle on my shoulder, He said, "Sorry, got to run."

"But good luck with this conflict, we'll be watching close to see...

Don't know what else to tell you, except I'm glad that we are free."

Reaching to my war belt, I grabbed a magazine.

Looking for direction I surveyed the whole scene.

Turning back around, I saw my "friend" was now long gone.

And so, I would do alone, what needed to be done.

Starting then to look, to the limit of my view,

My eyes fell on a couple, with skin of different hue,

Waving at a young man, up ahead of me,

A Son, or a Brother, they hoped again to see.

Close by them a young Mother, with a small one at her side,

Tried hard to hold the tears back, but didn't try to hide.

And near them, on a set of wheels, set up so he could ride,

A Vet with Daughter uniformed, was beaming with earned pride.

My thoughts were floating off, to what might be better times,

Soon though, I was back, getting ready for "The Line".

My Countrymen American, are such a different lot, and

They often take for granted, those who pay for what they've got.

When, and if, back home again, there is no music loud,

The game ahead, will still be played, even if there is no crowd.

And as I stood there thinking, of peace or war, along "The Line",

I heard a voice yell over, "We won't let you down this time!"

I know now, that I'm ready, even though some say,"Don't go."

I will do what I must, whether thanks will come or no.

With Pride and Integrity, I'll uphold what is True

Even if I'm never Honored, or the Praise is overdue.

When it's tough to hold on, and painful though things be,

I know that I will make it through, to Victory.

For when they called on someone, to be a

Faithful One,

I bravely, boldly, took the step to do

WHAT MUST BE DONE.

Copyright 1990, 2001, 2007

By Michael B. Connally Sr.

Shot (over)

What are your memories associated with this day?  To make it more interesting be sure to add the approximate date, place, and other facts and people associated with your recollection including references to what things of cultural significance were happening at the time. Examples would be clothing and hair styles, cars, music, sports, etc. 

I've been meaning to start a blog mainly just to learn about them. I know I've been reading them for some time including those of some family members. This is mostly an experiment and don't know how long this will last or if anyone will ever read it. I titled it 'My Mom' only because it's Mother's Day (5/13/07) and she would no doubt have one herself if she were around today. She's been gone 33 yrs now but she's very much alive every day in the hearts and thoughts of her six children. She never got to see any of the twenty some grandchildren she had since she wasn't even 48 years old when she died. But I always told my sons that she actually saw them before anyone did when the Good Lord let her hold them even before their mother and I did. I could write until next Mother's Day all the things I learned from Mom in the few years we had her with us. And I could write even longer of all the things I wished I'd been able to talk with her about over the last 33 years. I love her and I miss her. Fortunately, my wife (a wonderful mother in her own right!) got to know my Mom a little (too little) before she passed away. I've always thought that was a good thing so if nothing else, my son's mother would speak knowingly and well, of their grandmother. Fortunately also for my sons, they knew and grew very close to my mother-in-law over the years. She passed away a few years ago and was an incredible lady also. I loved her very much and we honor and miss her today too. Happy Mother's Day to my wife and sisters and many, many more! And lastly, but certainly not least, a Pre-Happy Mom's Day to our daughter-in-law who will make me a first time Grand Dad in less than two months too! Lots of Love and God Bless you all! 

Shot (over)

What are your memories associated with this day? Be sure to add the approximate date, place, and other facts and people associated with your recollection including references to what things of cultural significance were happening at the time.  Examples would be clothing and hair styles, cars, music, etc.