I've come to the point where I don't really care how you perceive my words, just so long as you read them
I would first like to say that I am immeasurably disappointed in my fellow citizens and Graftonites today. On a day that is regarded as a NATIONAL HOLIDAY set aside for those whom SACRIFICIED THEIR LIVES FOR YOU very few people showed up for the Memorial Day parade. At least not nearly as many as have showed up in years past. What is this world coming to?? I have to say that I am disgusted with the lack of respect that American's show their fighting men and women who live through hell and die daily in order for us to be free. Is it too much to ask people to come out for just one hour of their 24 hour day in order to honor those men and women who died. IS IT??!!! It's despicable people, downright despicable. I don't care if you had to work (it's a national holiday, workplaces should be closed), if you had a busy night last night (some soldier had a busy night last night too, trying to stay alive), if you needed to sleep in (take a nap later), I downright don't care. Point is, it doesn't take much to get down there and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. I am downright discouraged by the lack of support I saw down there today. It leads me to believe that America is a land that is put less and less value upon the values our country was founded upon. Heck, I'm sure most American's couldn't even tell you when the Spanish-American War was. (1898 by the way.) Good grief I'm pissed off. I hate to make a religious comparison here, but if people around the world make Easter and Good Friday holy for the death of one amazing being, why can't they make Memorial Day a special day for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of great men (and women)???
NEVER FORGET THOSE WHO DIED IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BE FREE.
NEVER FORGET THOSE WHO DIED IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BE FREE.
posted by UncleFluffy at 5/29/2006 10:05:00 AM
14 Comments:
Breath in, breath out. . . You don't know everyone's situations. Maybe they never heard about it. Maybe theyre out of town. Maybe they spent time with their families, or maybe even soldiers instead today. Just because you don't show up for a ceremony, doesn't mean that you don't care about or respect those who fight for us everyday!
I never said it had to be in Grafton, but ultimately people were away attending others, that is always a possiblity, but then again, I bet you that most people were in town, and were available. They just didn't want to come. And to me, thats just unacceptable. Downright rude and disrespectful.
I'll admit that I wasn't there, but me being there isn't going to bring back the dead soldiers or make a hell of a lot of difference. I am totally greatful that people do defend our country and fight wars because I sure as hell would never want to do that. I just don't think that going to a parade is really honoring them as much as you seem to think. A better way to honor them would be honoring the ones who are still alive and thanking them. For the people who did go today though more power to you.
The more you people get pissed at me, the more resolve I have for this. I know you may have been busy, so on and so forth, but I do have to say that a) its a small gesture to take one hour to show outward support of men who gave years of their lives for you. I think showing them what they fought for is an honorable thing to do. once again though, that is what I think, im not forcing it down upon you. Just stating what I feel. and b) I was driving around on Memorial Day and I saw few flags in the areas I went driving down, now to me that is also sad. At least if you skip the parade, hang a flag. Show some support. But hey, you do what you want to do, and I will continue being pissed at the world for what I deem an unacceptable amount of respect for the most respectable men our nation produces.
A veteran can't read your heart either Lauren. They don't know that you recognize their fallen friends. A widow doesn't know that you pray for her at night. These people don't get the largest amounts of outward sympathy. Hence why I believe in going to these parades and flying your flags. Do you recall the story the VFW Legion Post President gave on Memorial Day, about the son who hates it when people disacknowledge the flag. He knows his father fought and loved that flag. I'm not saying that anybody disrespects the flag, I'm just saying; to certain people, this can be the only sign they get that people care. I owe it to them to give them as much respect as I can, and let them know it because there sacrifice should not be a silent one suffered alone.
And on the matter of trying to change my mind. you can't do that, its not possible. On this issue i will never weaken my resolve nor my beliefs. They will remain with me until the day I die and only grow stronger until that point.
Good day
I know that, I was just enhancing what you already said.
I do appreciate the fact that you comment though. Honesty is nice, regardless of if you agree.
Well now that I can finally comment (computer problems), I would like to add that I agree with Lauren. People that do not go to parades to show their support can still be good people through their other efforts. True, this is not as obvious to those affected, but it can actually be more heart-felt. The parade is a very nice gesture, and I do not know of anyone who disagrees with it.
I would also like to point out that although I did not go to the Memorial parade this year, I have in the past years. However, I did not go to the Christmas parade this year either. Does that make me a bad Christian?
I do fully understand your point, Jeffrey, and it is extremely valid. I wish there was a way that we could show all the people fighting for us just how much we care.
you ask a good question about the Christmas parade, however a parade about faith, and a parade about something you can visibly see happen daily, I judge that to be a bit different. Christmas parade is also not set out for the specific purpose of honoring somebody or something. It's just a special time of year. The Memorial Day parade is specifically set aside and the day is as well set aside specifically for honoring those who died for us to live free and better lives. In the fact that Memorial Day has a specific goal in mind, it is different from Christmas. We already touched upon this once on my blog, Christmas has largely been distorted in this world to the point were the parade could be more about corporations selling record profit shares instead of the birth of Jesus. The Memorial Day parade however has largely a small group of people in it. I saw the veterans, both John Long and our high school band and the boy and girl scouts. It's a parade designed specifically to honor those men who have served our country.
Jeff, I myself marched in that parade, and that, or simply atteneding the serivce did not necsesarily enhanced my enormous respect for soldiers. The fact is, that they do all know that we pray for them. Ask any soldier and they do know that the country is praying for them. Plus, soldiers do not go into the military to gain repsect, and parades, and honors. They go into service because they love doing what they do, and they feel compelled to fight. Although i have the utmost repsect for all of them, they do not go into war to be honored, and they know that they are always in our hearts.
Mark the fact that they don't go out for the honor or respect is another reason to give it to them. It's a selfless act, they do it for us, thus we should give back.
I'm not saying that they don't deserve the respect.
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