Monday, May 31, 2010

Thank U (Revised)

I would just like to extend my gratitude and respect to all the servicemen and women of our country, past and present. May we all remember that this is a day for more than cooking out and going to the beach. My family served mostly in WWII and Korea. One of my uncles won the Bronze Star. All of them were fortunate enough to come home. I am very proud of all of them.

The construction job that I am most proud of working on was our state Memorial for our fallen soldiers from all wars. God help us to never have to build any more.

Edit: I have been reminded by a reader that Memorial Day is for fallen soldiers only (which I knew but just didn't word it in a very clear way), they put it much better: Although every day is a good day to say thank you to those who have and who are serving in our nation's armed forces, please let's remember that Memorial Day is the day designated to remember and honor our nations *war dead* and should not be confused with Veterans Day. This extra special class of veteran deserves their special day of remembrance and our gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice. Please, let's not dilute the meaning of Memorial Day.
I apologize for not being more specific in my wording or any perceived disrespect. I would never knowingly slight any serviceman the respect they are due.

*Alanis Morisette

6 comments:

Richard said...

You're welcome. Thank you for the thank you.

Anonymous said...

Although every day is a good day to say thank you to those who have and who are serving in our nation's armed forces, please let's remember that Memorial Day is the day designated to remember and honor our nations *war dead* and should not be confused with Veterans Day. This extra special class of veteran deserves their special day of rememberance and our gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice. Please, let's not dilute the meaning of Memorial Day.

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

In spite of my pacifist convictions I am a real softy when it comes to war memorials. I visited some in Belgium that moved me to tears. Some day I hope to muster the courage to visit the Vietnam Memorial Wall in DC.

I only wish the old men who send our youth off the fight wars that have little to do with national defense would think twice and then thing again of the sacrifice they are asking others to make.

MamaHen said...

Hey Philip! I have visited the Vietnam Memorial in DC and it is powerful. Very subtle but powerful.

Anonymous said...

I lost 2 uncles in WW2. My dad came back from that war with a bronze star. I lost a cousin and my best friend’s brother in Vietnam. My sister lost her fiancĂ©. I lost my Godson in Afghanistan this past Nov. My nephew is about to be deployed in July. I understood what you meant by your statement and appreciated the sentiment. I don’t believe it needed any clarification. It was very well said. Thank you!
v.

MamaHen said...

Hey V.! thanks so much. well, i suspect that the commenter is a military person, and since I'm not, I'm always going to defer to them and their opinion about such things. But I appreciate your comment too and so hate to hear that your family has been so devastated by war. It breaks my heart any time I hear of families losing members to such an awful failure of society. Maybe one day we will learn.