tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post1696133203946932055..comments2024-03-28T14:52:13.218-05:00Comments on Stonekettle Station: Things That Chap My Ass About Memorial DayJim Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-46445406849281266452012-05-28T21:31:25.335-05:002012-05-28T21:31:25.335-05:00Spot on, Jim.
Might be a good thing I wasn't ...Spot on, Jim. <br />Might be a good thing I wasn't traveling in the same vehicle with you as I would've done my best to get you to stop, then join in on the trampling and torching.<br />Marianne Robinson PoolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-60863395283657370052011-04-01T03:05:13.784-05:002011-04-01T03:05:13.784-05:00That would chap my hide too. Veteran's Day, a...That would chap my hide too. Veteran's Day, actually gets me pissed off. 1: I recall what it was originally for, and that still speaks to me. I think the message to it needs to be remembered.<br /><br />2: It ends up being Memorial Day Lite. Want to celebrate my service? Fund the VA, don't dick with people who deserve a medical discharge; with a disability rating. Don't take years to get it resolved when the case is being figured out. Don't pro-rate someone's GI bill because finals don't last to the end of the month. If you do, don't take off a full month from that persons eligibility... The list goes on.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05563851353439852093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-64274343635860631782009-05-26T12:46:02.748-05:002009-05-26T12:46:02.748-05:00What I find interesting about Memorial Day is that...What I find interesting about Memorial Day is that there are people in France, Italy, Holland, etc. who actually observe it too. They go to the American cemetaries in their respective nations and honor the people who died for their freedom, too.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02458727475454361013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-36382584353234562882009-05-26T12:45:36.494-05:002009-05-26T12:45:36.494-05:00I’m right there with you Jim…I'm still pissed ...I’m right there with you Jim…I'm still pissed that years ago the Feds, to promote, among other things, better planning for themselves and easier to schedule Fed holidays, took all honorific holidays and put them on a Monday. <br /><br />Memorial Day is just one of the victims of that line of thinking, along with the birthdays of King, Lincoln and Washington! Before all this nonsense started, and the date fell in the middle of the week, schools would give homework on the date involved. Why do we have Memorial Day, what did it commemorate, why is it important, things like that. <br /><br />When I was little, on Memorial Day morning you went to watch the parade with your whole family or marched in the parade if you were a veteran, scout, civic group or local marching band. The parade went the whole way down Main Street and, in our town at least, into the city park where the war memorials were located. Everyone participated, sang patriotic songs, & prayed together at the memorial ceremonies, and sometimes there was a big picnic sponsored by one of the civic groups. But we did it with your family and as a community. <br /><br />The next day, everyone went back to work or school. If you were in school, you wrote a report on what you did. It was all very civilized and respectful. Nobody had their own agenda. <br /><br />Then, at some point, Lincoln & Washington’s birthdays were combined to make “Presidents’ Day”, Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday in May, instead of the 30th, and MLK, Jr Day was added, not on the Reverend King’s Birthday, but on a Monday as well. At least most areas that observe MLK Day try to promote it as a day for service instead of just another day off. <br /><br />While I’m sure that Federal, State, Local, banking and postal officials find it easier to schedule and budget for 3-day weekends, all of these significant dates in the history of our nation have lost their meaning in the process. And we are a poorer country for it. <br /><br />WendyB_09WendyB_09https://www.blogger.com/profile/03788918629240949526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-73183024259982057092009-05-26T12:27:44.000-05:002009-05-26T12:27:44.000-05:00I feel sorry for people who view everything throug...I feel sorry for people who view everything through one filter to the point of absurdity. The person who made that sign was not thinking. They dishonor Jesus as much as they spit on those for whom Memorial Day was intended to honor.<br /><br />I've been working on a SF short story called "Memorial Day" that I was going to post yesterday. But I'm giving myself more time, and will hopefully post it on 30 May 2009. Because I'm ornery and I'm not the only one who doesn't find it necessary to move Memorial Day to a day of convenience in order to have a first official day of summer holiday.<br /><br />Call me old-fashioned, but there was something nice in knowing that Sundays and holidays would find most stores shuttered and those people who'd be on both sides of the cash registers could be with family. Or on Memorial Day out honoring those family who didn't come back.<br /><br />They used to be called "After Memorial Day Sales".<br /><br />Oh yeah, and lots of families don't have anyone serve any more. But that's another whole issue.<br /><br />Dr. PhilDr. Phil (Physics)https://www.blogger.com/profile/11943336276878704753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-82542430293066991892009-05-26T10:58:55.704-05:002009-05-26T10:58:55.704-05:00Powerful essay. Thank you for providing an insight...Powerful essay. Thank you for providing an insightful perspective. It's making me think a lot and being disappointed in the current talking heads in our media. <br /><br />- ttAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-47448902746491955822009-05-26T08:22:09.462-05:002009-05-26T08:22:09.462-05:00I'm a little hesitant to comment since I'm guilty ...I'm a little hesitant to comment since I'm guilty of the lesser of the sins you've mentioned. But you're absolutely right. There's a big difference between personally neglecting the purpose of the day and actively trying to usurp it.<br /><br />It's not like Wamsutta riding the coattails of International Towel Day...it's more like the Apple Growers Association trying to edge out National Citrus Day. I suppose that's a crappy analogy, but I hear what you're saying.<br /><br />There are 364 <EM>other</EM> days available. Steal one of <EM>those</EM>.Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00648438549121320566noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-43855167329080976062009-05-26T05:56:09.732-05:002009-05-26T05:56:09.732-05:00That sign really pisses me off because it totally ...That sign really pisses me off because it totally misses the point of Christianity. I think I've got a post on this coming. Yeah, Ive got about 3 in the queue, and not time to finish them...John the Scientisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03467337009577733553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-18419583444596478822009-05-25T23:49:49.433-05:002009-05-25T23:49:49.433-05:00Mike, I can't say it makes me happy to know you ha...Mike, I can't say it makes me happy to know you have this type of asshatery in Canada too.Jim Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11259550121437562338noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-88781403286604656782009-05-25T23:02:45.528-05:002009-05-25T23:02:45.528-05:00And, you know, that isn't unique to the US either....And, you know, that isn't unique to the US either. Those of us who served and lived remember those who didn't make it home and the rest of the whole goddamn shooting match can just go away because they have no absolutely damned idea at all what it is we are taking the time to remember.MikeBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-4189295971059609332009-05-25T22:09:04.424-05:002009-05-25T22:09:04.424-05:00Those who try to twist it for their own private ag...<EM>Those who try to twist it for their own private agendas should have their asses kicked.</EM>And I'll gladly hold both your coats while you do so. After I run over that fucking sign in Butte, AK.<br /><br />Because I don't think I would have restrained myself. In fact, my own plans would probably have included a pair of pliers and a blowtorch.Janiecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190655869710465713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8243351006478134285.post-30430320278505013412009-05-25T19:59:05.341-05:002009-05-25T19:59:05.341-05:00Gee, so many things chap your ass about so many th...Gee, so many things chap your ass about so many things.<br /><br />But in all seriousness, you're dead on point. This day is to remember those who died in the service of their country. That's it. Those who try to twist it for their own private agendas <EM>should</EM> have their asses kicked.vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16955307244053931069noreply@blogger.com