Just another holiday? Do people really grasp the meaning of Memorial?

Every year about this time, people are heading out to the beach, the mountains, backyard BBQ or the nearest car discounted sales.  It saddens me for people to not realize exactly what Memorial Day is in America.

1:  serving to preserve remembrance :  commemorative

2:  of or relating to memory

play\-ə-lē\ adverb

I wish I could tell you the exact number of calls or the people in person who contact me wanting to know how to go about the funeral arrangements for those older veterans who are now passing on and they progressively are becoming less informed about the paperwork involved to get that memorial flag or headstone that the veteran is entitled to.  Many times the funeral homes do not have full information.

This is a difficult time for MOST combat veterans who remember the last breath or word that a fellow soldier took before leaving this world while on the battlefield. Many die from service connected injuries and many commit suicide which is also service connected.   This is not a party on dude time.  

 I am proud this site has  IGTNT ( I got the News Today) here, on Daily Kos, whereas we honor lives lost every time we are informed of the ultimate price paid for serving.  

Memorial Day is not Veterans Day.  Veterans Day honors the veterans who have served their country.  Memorial Day is a day set aside for those who have died serving or served their country.  

Somber is the word I associate with Memorial Day.  Not celebration.   I have seen the tears of veterans across the country who speak as if it were yesterday when their pal Joey or Zack, or Jim died in their arms or in their presence to say goodbye and many times spoke words of comfort to give to the families who would soon be facing the news of their demise.   Reflection comes in strong for many living veterans as they remember a time of months or decades ago, they witnessed horror with the loss of a pal or fellow soldier.

I have no clue where the white sales and the BBQ and swim parties came from but if you encounter a veteran on this Memorial Day, please do not say Happy Memorial Day.  It is not a happy occasion for these soldiers.  It is a time of reflection and mourning for them and their families.   It is every veteran’s advocate’s duty to remind this generation and coming generations of the price paid for wars and to know blood was shed and lives ruined and by the millions over time and it is a time to want peace and less war.   

Please visit IGTNT here on Daily Kos and place a thought or memory or poem  in memory of some male or female who went to war and never returned to their friends and families.  Thank you Daily Kos and those who write for IGTNT.

Thank you for remembering 365 days a year.

This 2017 Memorial Day we are hearing the war drums once again, if they ever really stopped which means more loss of life.   There is no wall, or monument or parade that can properly ease the loss of these fine men and women but I guarantee you, 25 percent off a new bedroom suit or marked up 20 percent off car sale does nothing  good for those mourning on this day.   Visit the nursing homes, the VA hospitals or invite a few vets over  and listen to some of those vets who were there and listen and hold their hands as they tremble in pain as they remember.   This is Memorial Day.  Hold your celebrations for the 4th of July.   Memorial Day is not the time for displays of fireworks and diving competitions.  It is and has always been an ignorant display of lack of respect for those who have fallen.

My words to Veterans  and military families  suffering today, “May Peace console you as you grieve for fallen friends”.   To the Families of the Fallen, “ Our deepest sympathies to you as you continue your struggle with your losses. “

Suicide Hotline

1-800-273-8255.. press 1  Text 838255

www.veteranscrisisline.net