"US Memorial Day" Topic

This weekend in the USA, we take the day to remember those that have died in war. Even though some have little to no idea why this is done. It's only a day off to BBQ, drink beer, etc.

The numbers should be updated but I still think the intent is clear …

And I extend my respect and reverence to all those other nations that fought along side the USA as Allies, etc.

May all our war dead Rest In Peace …

Legion: +1

I will be participating in a short parade & Catholic Mass @ a cemetery in honor of our fallen. I'm not a veteran but will participate as the KofC Honor Guard with several veterans.

I'll be taking my daughters to a reenactment at Camp Mabry, in Austin.

link

And even though it is Memorial Day, and not Veterans Day, we'll still remember one soldier from the 69th AA Battalion, 1941-1944, Pacific War. RIP, Dad.

We, in Europe, extend our heartfelt thanks to all the Americans who fought, whether they lived or died, in the cause of freedom.

In memory of my father's cousin Sydney
(POW in Pacific and died when his ship was accidentally sunk by his own side – the US):

When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For your tomorrows these gave their today.

I'm embarrassed to admit that it's all too easy to forget the importance of Memorial Day.

Lucius, thanks for the reminder about the reenactment at Campy Mabry.

I will be decorating numerous family graves, including several veterans of wars ranging from the 2nd Rogue River Indian War in 1855 (Oregon) through the Korean War. But I always try to save a handful of flowers for the lonely graves of unrelated veterans whom I select completely at random. This has included in the past some cavalrymen from Fort Walla Walla killed in the Nez Perce War of 1877.

I'll mark the day by continuing my research into where
my grand-uncle Harrison's remains might be interred.

He was a WWI casualty, along with his twin, my G'father
who survived the gassing (cost him a lung, but he
lived another 40 years).

Harrison is not in any of the WWI gravesites in Europe.
His remains might have been lost to view when the
area in which he and Granddad were positioned was
heavily shelled following the gas attack and just prior
to a German infantry assault.

Right-o. My neighborhood has a parade and remembrance ceremony at a local park. And,for historic reference ,it was an American Civil War general(John"Black Jack" Logan),who helped initiate the effort to honor and remember America's war dead.

In the Northern US, Memorial Day was called Decoration
Day – a day when the graves of GAR veterans were cleaned
of winter's ravages and decorated with flowers, small
US flags and memorabilia of the veteran.

Southern states adopted a similar custom but on a
different day.

Eventually, the day became a national memorial to the
fallen of all US conflicts and so it remains.

Check out what our church does for Memorial day weekend. It is the largest gathering of vets and citizens on the West Coast honoring our men and women who gave it all for our country. Check it out at (cccyc.net). Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on. Go to the Photo Gallery and check it out.

@Legion 4: Thank you for your thoughtful topic.

I will be at a wargame convention on Monday. I wish all violence existed only among lead and plastic soldiers on tabletops.

Something new added to the holiday since I was young.

Monday, 28 May 2018, at 1500 local time, is the National Moment of Remembrance. Please take a short pause in your activities for one minute in an act of national unity.

This is relatively new, having been established by the 106th Congress in 2000.

Grelber

In Flanders Fields
BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I do like that poem …

Here's a shot from last year's reenactment at Camp Mabry here in Austin. BTW despite what they claim the Sherman is NOT an M4A3E8 with a 105, the hull is from an Israeli modification of an M4A4.

theminiaturespage.com

‌"TMP link

Their sacrifice cannot be measured. With every breath I could say "Thank You", but it would never be enough.