I've noticed a trend on every form of social media this past week. Multiple times a day I see posts, often accompanied by bitter, irate, downright mean comments scolding people for thanking the troops on Memorial Day. It is important to remember the sacrifices made so we might
enjoy our weekend, but getting angry at every person who unwittingly wishes you
a happy Memorial Day is not a good way of honoring those lives lost. I completely agree that utilizing the words "Happy Memorial Day" is inappropriate for the gravity of the occasion, but I also believe that the patronizing posts begin to feel like a pissing contest about who honors the fallen most. Stop talking about it on Facebook and do something!
I also will not get upset at those who choose to honor our troops. Yes, Memorial Day is first and foremost about honoring those that paid the ultimate price, but why can we not also thank those who have fought alongside those brave men and women. Why not honor the soldier, sailor, marine, while they are still here. Many who have not lost their lives in times of war have still paid high prices for our freedoms. They will never be the same person they were before war. And for that matter, after having spent significant time around soldiers who were treated like dirt during Vietnam, I would much rather live in a society that says thank you too often than not enough.
These amazing heroes who lost their lives and who we remember on Memorial Day , should be remembered year round. Not just on one specific day. And what better way to honor them, than getting out, living life to the fullest, and thanking those that serve and the families of the fallen.
I’ve often been told that those that serve form bonds akin to that of family. Comrades at arms experience a special camaraderie like no other. Men and women that serve are all brothers and sisters to the fallen. They are a family forged by shared experiences of hardships and horror but also honor and respect. So, why not thank them for their sacrifices, most likely they are hurting too.
I also will not get upset at those who choose to honor our troops. Yes, Memorial Day is first and foremost about honoring those that paid the ultimate price, but why can we not also thank those who have fought alongside those brave men and women. Why not honor the soldier, sailor, marine, while they are still here. Many who have not lost their lives in times of war have still paid high prices for our freedoms. They will never be the same person they were before war. And for that matter, after having spent significant time around soldiers who were treated like dirt during Vietnam, I would much rather live in a society that says thank you too often than not enough.
These amazing heroes who lost their lives and who we remember on Memorial Day , should be remembered year round. Not just on one specific day. And what better way to honor them, than getting out, living life to the fullest, and thanking those that serve and the families of the fallen.
I’ve often been told that those that serve form bonds akin to that of family. Comrades at arms experience a special camaraderie like no other. Men and women that serve are all brothers and sisters to the fallen. They are a family forged by shared experiences of hardships and horror but also honor and respect. So, why not thank them for their sacrifices, most likely they are hurting too.
In the end, I don’t understand why do we feel the need to
shame people for expressing their thanks? Pretty soon they will be too
discouraged to say thank you. Be
gracious. Accept their well meant thanks and don’t castigate them. Yes, it is
important to remember the true meaning behind the day, but not at the expense
of kindness.
3 comments:
YES! I'm behind on my blog reading so I didn't get a chance to read this before I posted mine but YES! I don't understand the ranting about it. It makes me sad. I hope people will think before they post!
I actually just got done writing a post scolding people for thanking veterans for their service today.
Mine comes from the fact that I see so many corporations and people thanking CURRENT members for their service, and thanking those who served and came home SAFE, but NOWHERE in their 'thanks' do they mention the true meaning behind today. Nowhere have they said "and please remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice," (or anything along those lines).
I'm ranting because people are literally treating today like Veteran's Day. You know if we started honoring the fallen in September instead of thanking current servicemembers, well, people would get all hurt about it and complain.
The only difference I see is that the fallen can't speak up to let people know that today is about them.
It bugs me when people don't know what the day is about, but that last sentence is exactly right. If someone thanked Sky for his service this past Memorial Day, I wouldn't want to scoff at that.
Post a Comment