Memorial Day is one of a few occasions I have a hard time writing about. it is a topic I don't feel qualified to talk about — for who am I to speak of men and women who have gone to war. At least without coming across as a hollow network television journalist.
Those of us who know nothing of the subject want to know more — in an effort to understand what it must have been like. While those who have seen combat wish to speak of everything else but that experience. It is an awkward subject at best.
Today my own personal thoughts are with two men: Grandpa Storey who served as a chaplain in World War II and Jim, my father-in-law, who was drafted and dropped in the middle of a Vietnam jungle. Both men came back to help build a better society in the dark shadow of what they had experienced first hand.
And my thoughts are also with those families for whom Memorial Day now has an entirely new meaning.
Join the fray by reading through and commenting at the end.
I agree with you, I have my thoughts about memorial day but since I have never been in a war and don't know what it is like I keep the thoughts to myself.
Flags visible everywhere since the start of the war last March cannot for only a day become brighter or as on an internet banner, 'animate' brightly for Memorial Day.
Whereas seeing my neighbor display our nation's flag for a day reminds me he was a prisoner of war in Korea, as he's told me the story several times before when we chat at the mailbox.
Like you, I have no idea what it's like. Could there be a day when on Memorial Day we remember those who have died in wars of long ago -say 100 years prior, knowing there will never be such a thing ever again?
Greg,
I did some work with the Go For Broke Foundation a couple of years ago. The interviews with the vets are very telling. Some clips are available online. They deal with both the war and being Japanese American.
I agree that humility is important for those of us that have not experienced war, and I believe you put it succinctly. (And, thus, why I linked to this entry on my site... hope you don't mind.)
I do feel, however, that it should be pointed out that many, not necessarily the majority, but many anti-war activists are in fact veterans. There is an organization in my hometown of Minneapolis called Veterans for Peace that was started and is maintained by a core of very dedicated and experienced veterans.
And on Shahla's note: I certainly hope that day comes sooner rather than later. If I weren't so agnostic at this point, I'd even pray for it.
I'll add my humble recognition, Greg: My grandfather, Worth Moll, who served as a pilot in WWII, and my father, Kraig Moll, who sat in the tail of a B-52 as a gunner during the Vietnam years. Much respect for their contributions.
My Memorial Day's can be summed up with tales of trecking through Disney World. Not exactly what was intended for the holiday to be. My grandfather died in World War II. Somehow I feel close to the holiday, yet far away.
I feel much as you do, Storey. This has been an emotional Memorial Day for me, mostly because of the current Iraq mess, I think.
My dad was drafted, and served in the Air Force for 25 years. My grandpa (Papa) was also a chaplain in WWII - in the bloody Italian campaign. He told stories about serving communion with his little wooden kit under fire.
My great-uncle fought at Iwo Jima as a Marine and would never speak of it. I wish he had shared his stories, to understand him better at least.
I remember playing with my Papa's WWII helmet - the only marking on it was a small silver cross on the front. I wonder where that ended up.
What you guys write is very true, but I must admit that your feelings of resentment in condemning war and all this patriotism is purely a psychological thing that must be overcome in order for any social change to occur in our little society. Of course, some might say in return, 'you are not appreciating what these old people did and young people are doing to keep our freedom alive and well.' Of course I appreciate the sacrifice, but I simply do not agree w/ the murder that is involved in the process. There are many humane ways to fight for freedom and not lose millions of lives in the span of a couple years (i.e. WWI & II). Freedom, like many great things in life, takes patience to achieve. I speak of TRUE freedom--- A type of freedom that does not step all over other people, cultures, & countries to obtain. The latter type of freedom will truly be everlasting, to say the least.
Ok, commence the bashing :-)
oh yeah, read this letter: http://lame.phatchicks.com/index.php?p=137