Every once in a great while a public school teacher does something not entirely useless or degrading to our country. Please don't let the teachers union or the Department of Education find out.
While I'm on the topic of Memorial Day, I'm going to rant a bit. First, Memorial Day is about remembering those who have DIED in service to our nation. It is not a time to "remember all those who have served", you public schooled, wanna feel good patriot-without actually bothering to learn some basic facts-potential voter. Perhaps if you ever bothered to met someone who served in the military, or actually knew a kid who got his brains blown out in some fools foreign policy errand, you might take the time to get it right. Then again that would take a minor amount of effort on your part and "like are we going to barbecue or what"? Those kids that get themselves killed are clear on what's going on. They are out doing their job, their duty. While there are different reasons for joining up, there is one thing they are clear on, THEIR DUTY. They do that, because that is what their country via the chain of command, has asked of them. They do it for you.
Second, give them the respect for the branch and job they do. A person in the Navy is a sailor. The Air Force has airmen. The USMC is where you find Marines. The Army has soldiers. I recently received an invitation to a welcome home party for a girl that joined the Navy. The invitation asked for me to take part in, I'm not kidding here, "welcome our SOLDIER home". The party is being put on by her former high school boyfriend. Recently she sent me an email and I learned she is getting married to a man she met on ship. Her husband to be, is no doubt clear on which branch of the service she is in. I get worked up every time I read about men serving in the Army who are called Marines. This happens in the papers more often than you'd think it would. Get it right people, or don't even bother. Another thing; all service is honorable service. The trigger pullers and bayonet operators wouldn't be able to do their jobs if the cooks, motor pool, and quartermaster didn't do theirs. The comment, "I was in the Army etc" should get a hearty "thank you for your service" as the reply. There is no room for "he was only a cook". SHUT UP! His cooking did more for our guys than your fair weather-feel good-wanna be a patriot-BS ever did.
I'm all in favor of three day weekends, at least when a four day isn't possible. I love barbecues and the occasional cold beer. This time do it right. Before the eating starts, hand out a round. Ask the men to stand and remove their hats. If they don't, ask them to leave. Then offer a toast to those who died, by name if you know it, by proxy if you don't.
To my grandfathers friends who didn't make it home~and whose names I've forgotten,WWI, WWII and Korea
To my father's friends in the 3rd MAR Div in Vietnam
To Cpl Johnson, USMC (11th grade computer class) Gulf war I, and Sgt Bob Smith, Army (Eng Comp II college), Gulf War II
To those whose names I do not know:
Thank you. You are still remembered.
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