Agree or disagree with the current conditions of conflict the United States is currently embroiled in all you may want; But please leave the devisiveness to another discussion thread.

This Monday is Memorial Day. It came into being due to the American Civil War and is a day set aside to remember our slain. Not just of that conflict but now for all conflicts our nation has been in.

The Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and Coastguardsmen do not begin wars. They perform a duty and mission decided upon by our government. These Ladies and Gentlemen swear and oath to uphold and defend the Consitution and obey the orders of the Elected Officials.

Still by performing their duty to the Constitution of the United States of America many go into harms way, some never to return to their families. It is for those who do not return we morn, for their loss is our loss.

Military Service is to and for the Country as a whole, for some service in the military may be due to economic neccessity, others a sense of patriotism and devotion, others a bit of adventure, but without the members of the Armed Forces standing the line to preserve our ways of life. Things we enjoy from free and open discussion on this board to listening to our favorite musicians regardless of ideologies may not be possible.

Armed intervention was needed to preserve the Union in the 1860's, the ending of slavery came about also though that war; Break the deadlocked conflict of WWI; End the countless suffering of millions under German and Japonese occupied areas; keep South Korea free to become the properous and sovereign nation it is today. There have been failures to the use of military forces as a tool of democracy as well.

Regardless of the feelings we harbor about the use of the Armed Services; I would like to ask all involved with these boards to take a moment of their day on Monday and reflect upon how their lives may of been affected by the people in the Military and how their sacrifices, even of their lives, has help to preserve some of the things we hold dearest in our lives.

Thank you to ADG and the Site Moderators for this moment to step on a soap box. Please have a safe and easy Memorial Day everyone.

Sergeant First Class Q (US Army Retired)

Happy memorial day to you and all others. Whether folks like the troops or not they are there putting their lives on the line and trying to keep us free and protect us. So thanks for all you do. In hillbilly areas the holiday is celebrated as decoration day where they decorate their deceased loved ones graves...

Thank you SFC-Q for your eloquent reminder.

Thanks to all servicepeople for your service - and most especially thank you to those who gave their all, for doing the work our country has asked of them. My heart also goes out to the families and friends of those who died in service to our nation.

Cheryl H., didn't know that was a "hillbilly" thing. I remember when we used to call the holiday Decoration Day up north too. The holiday name was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1967, and they changed the date to the last Monday in May (believe it used to be May 30th).


mikey

Hmm...I remember that too...but the poppy's have always been there. Got one Friday...

Yeah, that's what it was called in the hillbilly area of KY Mike was from. I remember he and I went up there around Memorial day one yr and celebrated Decoration Day. We visited his grandparents graves...