Rex Trulove
Memorial Day is a somber American holiday that is set aside to honor those people who gave their lives in the fight to give Americans freedom and liberty. It is a day of remembrance that began after the American Civil War and the day was originally chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular Civil War battle. An act of Congress in 1971 made Memorial Day official and set it to occur on the last Monday in May, although this year, 2018, it is celebrated on May 21, which isn’t the last Monday in the month.
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, as it was the day that the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate men buried in Arlington National Cemetary were decorated. Today, the day of remembrance is also for the hundreds of thousands of US soldiers buried in other countries, like France, the UK, Italy, North Africa, and elsewhere, as well as those buried throughout the US.
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Question of
How do you celebrate Memorial Day (or an equivalent if you don’t live in the US)?
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I don’t celebrate it/It is just another day to me
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I decorate one or more graves
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I go out camping, fishing, picnicking, or barbecuing
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Other
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Question of
Do you ever take time to remember the sacrifice of so many men and women who fought to give people their freedom?
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Absolutely
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Not as often as I should
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No, not really
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Question of
Have you, your spouse, mother, or father ever served in the military?
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Yes
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No
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My father served in World War II. So did my father-in-law. I was the right age to serve in Vietnam but my eyesight is so horrible that the army would never take me. I was very much against that war and would have refused to serve even if it was an option but I also respect those who saw things differently than me and chose to serve. I never had any animosity toward them.
I can understand your feelings. I also give thanks for the sacrifices of your father and father-in-law. My father was also in WWII, my step-father was in that war, and an uncle died in that war, before I had the chance to meet him.
My grandfather was a US Veterans. We always remember his bravery during WWII.c”,)
That is worthwhile to remember. The sacrifice of many gives us freedom today.
I agree. It was them who had given us the freedom. c”,)
My Dad fought in the Korean war. I have a flag on my front porch.
I want to buy a new flag.sometime soon. I was thinking about that only about an hour ago.