It is improper to say "Happy Memorial Day"

[Stinky The Clown]

What is Memorial Day, actually. This succinct statement from someplace on the internet says it well:

Memorial Day originally honored military personnel who died in the Civil War (1861-1865). The holiday now honors those who died in any war while serving with the United States. It is also called Decoration Day.

I am a veteran. Thanking me for my service on Memorial Day is inappropriate. They day for that comes on November 11, on Veterans Day. That day started after WWI

SK2 Stinky The Clown, USN/R who served waaaaaay back when.

[Srkdqltr]

1. I understand your point but

I feel a genuine friendly Happy Memorial Day should be OK.

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Would you go to a funeral and call it a happy day?

If you're a christian do you wish people a happy Good Friday?

[Srkdqltr]

7. Apples and onions

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. Been to a few like that

Celebrations of a long full life, in my family, there might be a few tears, but also some beers, stories, laughs. I wish they could all be like that.

Happy funeral, there is such a thing.

[Journeyman]

12. I was at a funeral a few years back, very somber affair, held graveside in the cemetery . . .

Halfway through, the doors of the little chapel down the hill burst open and with blaring horns, beating drums, and joyous step, a Dixieland band came out in full swing, leading the way for a glorious send off for a well-loved friend.

Happy day indeed!

[Skittles]

13. no, it isn't

[Turbineguy]

2. If you're a trumpist

all those Veterans fought on the wrong side.

[Maeve]

3. I grew up in the country, across the road from a cemetery

Memorial Day meant that Dad would put out the flag and, sometime before noon, there would be a salute fired across the road. We'd stop and stand quietly while that happened. Later in the afternoon, we'd take flowers and make the rounds of the family graveyards.

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace

[Stinky The Clown]

5. Amen

[marybourg]

6. It may not be improper. but it certainly

indicates a lack of deep introspection .

[Skittles]

14. it is improper

[Victor_c3]

8. Memorial Day is the only holiday that I hate

It’s too close and too personal to me. It should be a National day of mourning for those killed in war and of shame for our failures in diplomacy in which wars resulted.

Mattress sales and barbecues are the wrong way to recognize this day.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

10. Veterans Day is a mixed-feelings day.

Originally Armistice Day to commemorate the end of WWI, Eisenhower changed it to Veterans Day, probably because WWI was fading in our collective memories.

Britain and Canada still use the day to remember the millions who died in that war.

I have gone to a few Memorial Day parades, when veterans marched by. I didn't march in them, since I was never stationed near a war zone. Full confession: I have also used beer to wash down some burgers on that day.

[malaise]

11. Don the Con recently said

Happy Good Friday. I'm still banging my head

[Skittles]

15. I cringe when I hear it or read it

it's just......ignorant and wrong

[stillcool]

16. My father and 4 of his brothers...

Last edited Sun May 24, 2020, 07:33 PM - Edit history (1)

all served in WWII..and Memorial Day was like a wake, followed by an Irish funeral. The American Legion, and the VFW. Good times had by all. Now it's the grand opening of summer. The day of remembrance that no one remembers.

[keithbvadu2]

17. Trump: "Happy Memorial Day" to Japanese troops

Trump: "Happy Memorial Day" to Japanese troops

“Happy Memorial Day” to Japanese troops?

Donald recognizes the ultimate sacrifice made by the military in WWll by saying “Happy Memorial Day” to Japanese troops.

https://www.mediaite.com/trump/awkward-trump-wishes-happy-memorial-day-to-members-of-japanese-military/

[Srkdqltr]

18. When I was a kid

we went to the cottage or to Camp Dearborn for Memorial Day. Later to the auto races or someplace else.
I have never spent any Memorial Day in a cemetery. Ever.
If you do and feel that is right for you wonderful you should do that.
Everyone has a different take on Memorial Day. In the spirit of good will Happy Memorial Day is not a bad greeting.

[Totally Tunsie]

19. What really PISSES me off on Memorial Day are the insensitive,

Last edited Sun May 24, 2020, 09:54 PM - Edit history (2)

completely oblivious towns that shoot off fireworks "in celebration".

In fact, they are scheduled in the next town over for tonight at 9:30. Every year I write a Letter to the Editor, call officials of offending towns, and post on their FB pages that it has to stop. Yet, they happen every year.

This year's FB post and e-mail to the Town Administer reads:

"While I do not live in XXXXXXXXXX. I live close enough that every year I must endure the insensitivity of your town in providing a Memorial Day fireworks display. In case no one has ever mentioned it, Memorial Day is a SOLEMN occasion in remembrance of lives lost in battle. Have you ever really listened to the words of The Star Spangled Banner? What family of those lost wants to be reminded of "Bombs bursting in air..."? Have you heard of PTSD and do you realize that many veterans may suffer from it and be traumatized by their war memories? If there's any holiday that requires peace and reflection, it is Memorial Day. XXXXXXXXXX and any other town allowing fireworks on this day should be ashamed. Save the fireworks for a joyous day such as Fourth of July."

I will be fuming tonight.

MAJOR UPDATE: The fireworks scheduled for tonight DID NOT happen!!! There was one single firework blast at 9:30 and then...nothing. This notice now appears on the town website:

"CANCELLATION NOTICE

XXXXXXXXXX’s Memorial Day celebration scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2020 has been CANCELLED.

If you have any questions please contact XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX at (508) XXX-XXXX or to be a vendor in XXXXXXXXX Park, contact XXXXXX XXXXXXX at (508) XXX-XXXX or email the committee at [e-mail]"

Note there was no reason given - no mention of COVID or anything else. I would like to think my postings may have finally gotten through, but don't feel I have that much power.
In any event, peace reigns!

[Collimator]

20. Memorial Day is "observed",

not "celebrated", just as Yom Kippur and Good Friday.

"Have a safe Memorial Day" is probably an acceptable sentiment to express, because many people do suffer injury in holiday traffic of all sorts.

And Stinky, I am glad that you returned home from your service. Thank you and your family for any sacrifices made during your time in the Navy. May you carry the memories of your departed companions with honor and grace.

[hunter]

21. One of my wife's uncles was killed by the Nazis in the very last days of World War II.

His family learned this while they were celebrating Victory Europe, fully expecting he'd be home soon.

His mom was never the same.

His brother was held prisoner by the Japanese in China, decided to stay in China when Japan was defeated hoping to make the world a better place, and was then imprisoned by the Chinese Communists.

He made it back to the U.S.A. as a minor character in one of the Eisenhower Administration's prisoner exchanges but he was never right after that, suffering what we'd now call PTSD. He returned just about the time his brother's remains were returned to the U.S.A. to be reburied at Arlington. I've visited their graves.

My own grandparents didn't talk much about World War II. It was a dirty job that needed to be done. One of my grandfathers was an Army Air Corp officer, the other a pacifist who decided to build and repair Liberty and Victory ships rather than fight. He refused to take up arms.

My pacifist grandfather once got beaten up by the cops for protesting the internment of his Japanese neighbors.

In my family a certain number of us are pacifists by necessity, not by any natural inclination. The Berserker genes are strong in us. I have scars to show for that. I count myself a pacifist.

My Army Air Corp grandpa mysteriously learned a lot about exotic metals during the war and was later an engineer for the Apollo Project. Bits of metal he made landed men on the moon. He'd always freely talk about that.

Not gonna talk about any Navy shit. They very seriously courted me in spite of my baggage.

My wife was similarly courted.

My wife's dad was a Navy medic assigned to the Marine Corp. My dad was a Radar O'Reilly Army medical clerk. During the Korean War. It was just stupid luck they didn't serve on the front lines there.

That's Memorial day to me.