Memorial Day 2020 (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

I just wanted to wish all the veterans on this forum a happy Memorial Day, and thank you all for your service!:salute::

 

[Al Fisher]

Thank you, Louis. I can't say that it was always a pleasure, but must admit that I have memories that I'd never have experienced elsewhere. And I'll openly admit that I'm proud to be a Navy vet, particularly so as serving in the destroyer force. It also led to a career as a physical oceanographer. Some good stories there as well. Highlight was five years spent as staff oceanographer for Commander, Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE.

Bosun Al
former LT, USNR

 

[Rutledge]

I’ve zero qualms with wishing anyone, especially veterans, a happy Memorial Day. But, just to be clear:

Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who had died while in military service.[SUP][3][/SUP]There is another military holiday, Armed Forces Day, a U.S. remembrance that also occurs in May, which honors those currently serving in the U.S. military.

 

[jazzeum]

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and originated from decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. It’s believed that it was originated by freed slaves in Charleston, SC shortly after the surrender of the Confederacy, although the federal government declared Waterloo, NY the birthplace of Decoration Day.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Thank you for clarifying the meaning of the holiday. I always thought of it as memorializing the wars this country his fought in. I would like to use this thread to remember the relatives of forum members who gave their life serving their country, starting with my Uncle Joe Amana, who was killed in action on May 5, 1944, as the Radio Operator of the B17 Rikki Tikki Tavi, 8th Air Force, 96th Bomb Group, after bombing Berlin.

 

[Panzer ace]

The manager of our gyms is a combat veteran, for years I have wondered what to say to him on Memorial Day. So I finally asked him today. He said that he prefers little if any mention of his own service on this day, he would rather simply have his fallen comrades in arms acknowledged.

To him Memorial Day isn’t about those that lived through the fighting, rather it is about those that he served with who paid the ultimate price.