Memorial Day
May. 30th, 2011 03:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mickeymI know for many, Memorial Day is a three-day weekend; a chance to have a great outdoor BBQ with friends and family; the official kick-off of summer. Swimming pools open across the country, and drug stores and supermarkets alike are suddenly stocked with sunscreen and flip-flops.
It's also, and unfortunately this has gotten lost as the years pass, a day to remember those who have fallen in service to their country. To remember, to honor, to mourn.
I grew up surrounded by veterans and their families. My mom worked with the Veterans Administration. My grandfather, himself a WWII veteran, was president of the American Legion in Bronson, MI for many years. During the summer months we stayed with my grandparents frequently, and spent a good deal of that time at the Legion. Memorial Day was the day my grandfather got dressed up and attended services to remember the fallen. I cannot observe this day without remembering him, solemn and quiet, honoring his fallen countrymen and women. Rest in peace, Grandpa. It's been eleven years, and I still miss you.
I found this while looking for something else, and it's a gorgeous rendition of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "America the Beautiful", as well as a stunning video of images that pretty much sum up this country.
It's also, and unfortunately this has gotten lost as the years pass, a day to remember those who have fallen in service to their country. To remember, to honor, to mourn.
I grew up surrounded by veterans and their families. My mom worked with the Veterans Administration. My grandfather, himself a WWII veteran, was president of the American Legion in Bronson, MI for many years. During the summer months we stayed with my grandparents frequently, and spent a good deal of that time at the Legion. Memorial Day was the day my grandfather got dressed up and attended services to remember the fallen. I cannot observe this day without remembering him, solemn and quiet, honoring his fallen countrymen and women. Rest in peace, Grandpa. It's been eleven years, and I still miss you.
I found this while looking for something else, and it's a gorgeous rendition of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "America the Beautiful", as well as a stunning video of images that pretty much sum up this country.
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no subject
Date: 2011-05-30 10:36 pm (UTC)A man my mom dated/was involved with for about six years, he was a two-tour 'Nam vet, and he absolutely didn't talk about it. In fact, the only time he even mentioned anything about talking about wartime experiences was to tell me that if Doug wanted to talk about his experiences, he would, and I shouldn't poke. So I didn't.
My grandpa never talked about his experience(s) either, that I can remember. I'm pretty sure that the number of veterans who DO talk about their wartime experiences is seriously dwarfed by the ones who don't.
I do remember when the movie Saving Private Ryan was released, my mom telling me that the VA had to set up a special hotline for war veterans who were triggered by the movie, there were so many of them. The regular lines couldn't handle the increase in traffic.
no subject
Date: 2011-05-31 12:37 am (UTC)*fierce huggings*