Mormon Mentality - Thoughts and Asides by Peculiar People » Happy Memorial Day! Thank a Veteran!

By Devyn S.

May. 25th, 2008 at 9:55 pm

Last week, my son and I were coming out of the YMCA in Marblehead and my son wanted to go to the park nearby. We went there where there were several large monuments to those who died in wars. The Civil War monument had 135 names on it – this for a town of 5-10,000 at the time. Many of the names had the same surnames suggesting some families lost 3 or 4 members in the Civil War. They also had 50 names from World War II and 10 or so from Vietnam. It struck me how much has been sacrificed for the freedoms we have. Freedom that allows us to argue about politics, religion, and anything else. Freedom to worship how, where or what we may. Happy Memorial Day!

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1. queuno

Sun, May 25, 2008 @ 9:59pm

We are going to our small town’s celebration, where they will dedicate a statue at the memorial park where the dead veteran’s names are engraved on the walls.

2. makakona

Mon, May 26, 2008 @ 2:15am

please, wait till november 11th to thank a veteran. spend tomorrow thinking of those who died in service of our country and try to find a way for you and your family to honor them, whether through proper flying of your flag (you DO have one, right?!) or through visiting a national cemetary.

as the daughter of a vietnam veteran, it was pounded into me at an early age that memorial day had nothing to do with active or veteran servicemembers and everything to do with those who have fallen in defense of the freedoms devyn mentioned. marrying a military man (now turned vet) only reaffirmed that tomorrow doesn’t honor my dad or my husband or similar men.

we cherish too, the poppy red,
that grows on fields where valor led,
it seems to signal to the skies,
that blood of heroes never dies.

if, while you’re out picking up last-minute barbecue fixings, you happen across an old man selling little paper poppies, please give him a donation and wear it proudly. yet another memorial day remembrance going by the wayside.

3. annegb

Mon, May 26, 2008 @ 12:46pm

My husband served in Vietnam. It never crossed his mind to burn his draft card or protest. He just went. I don’t think he was feeling all patriotic, I think he just did what he considered the right thing. He never brings it up, but me and the kids ask him a lot of questions, especially if there’s something on TV.

He’s told me some tough stories. But what he says over and over is that for the most part he was young, cold, wet and hungry, and scared shitless 24/7. His mother spent that year scared shitless as well.

A few years ago that traveling Vietnam wall came to our town. Many of our friends served in Vietnam as well, the victims of circumstance (although I’m sure they’d object to the term “victim.”)—-kids who got drafted and went. Not too much complaining, although there are a few that endured some absolutely horrendous experiences.

As the veterans and their families gathered, I noticed many of the men crying, including my husband.

I know there are men who’ve opted not to serve in Iraq–a war I do not support. However, I have tremendous appreciation and respect for those who quietly just serve.

4. DCcLemon

Mon, May 26, 2008 @ 7:10pm

Happy Memorial Day! My family always visits my grandfather’s grave on Memorial Day. He served in WWII. As I stood in the rain today, I couldn’t help but wonder if visiting graves is a bit strange considering our doctrine. I kept thinking to myself that these are just his bones, and his spirit is elsewhere, and it will all be reunited later, so why do we visit graves?

5. queuno

Mon, May 26, 2008 @ 11:19pm

I think that grave-visiting provides a more powerful connection to the past than just the viewing of a photo. Perhaps visiting where their home stood is just a little less powerful.

6. CS Eric

Tue, May 27, 2008 @ 10:17am

My family on my Dad’s side never really had family reunions. The closest we came was on Memorial Day in the Spanish Fork city cemetery. We have six generations buried there. My Dad would take flowers to his brothers, his parents, and my sister. Once that was done, he’d go to where his mother’s side of the family was buried. One of the hardest parts for me about moving away from the Mormon Corridor is that, now that my parents are both gone, I can’t do the same for them.

7. nasamomdele

Tue, May 27, 2008 @ 12:51pm

Makakona, Annegb:

Thanks for those thoughts.

Annegb, I agree with you in that I find it hard to support any war. I think that is one reason we ought to focus so much on Memorial Day- on the tragedy of our brothers and sisters dying in combat for reasons they probably don’t buy into. Like you said, it is honorable to do so- and perhaps they found their own reason for fighting, even if it was just to get their brothers and sisters home alive. Regardless, they fought under a banner of free principles and died for those things.

I think Memorial Day is a good reminder of a horrible price paid, and the debt we owe those who paid.