How Can We Return to the Roots of Memorial Day?

Wall Street Journal ^ | 05/27/2016 | John Bussey

[SES1066]

This national day of remembrance, meant to honor men and women who died in military service, also morphed into a fiesta of shopping, barbecues and pool openings. There’s been no shortage of grumbling over the years about the stampede of “Memorial Day Sales”—ads brimming with bargains on a day intended for something else. ... [snip] ... The more we assign the soldiering to a select few volunteers—we don’t have an equalizing draft and there is no required national service—perhaps the easier it is to forget what it means to share a common citizenship or feel a sense of indebtedness or appreciation. If we no longer share in the service, risk and obligation, maybe that explains why many of us no longer observe Memorial Day.

[SES1066]

While I am too on the road this day, it is to go bury my Veteran Brother in a National Cemetery on Wednesday. I echo this this view that the volunteer military does have the unintentional consequence of reducing the pool of the population who pay more than cursory attention to the obligations and needs of our military!

[Netz]

Homage and head bowed to your brother. He and so many gave themselves in the defense of the nation while millions more whine about not having enough pistachio chips in their ice cream cones...

[48th SPS Crusader]

also morphed into a fiesta of shopping, barbecues and pool openings.

As has Easter and 4th of July and Thanksgiving and Christmas morphed into orgies of shopping and eating. Its our 24/7 society. We can’t seem to shut it down even for one day.

[wetgundog]

Remembering today my shipmates from VAQ-130, “the Zappers” who never returned from their mission one night in 1969. Fair Winds and Following Seas.

VAW-116 aboard USS Coral Sea CVA-43, Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club, member 1968-69

[Redleg Duke]

We have a consumer society, self-absorbed and totally without any feelings for the roots of our blessed republic or the cost that has been and continues to be paid to sustain it and its Constitution. Memorial Day, Veteran’s (Armistice) Day, and the Forth of July are nothing but 3-day weekends, and the Federal Government is the worst offender!

The NEA, working with the DC Uni-Party, has removed true history from the curriculum and is turning out illiterate drones with a disdain for obligation or respect.

It will take a tough turn-around and a couple of generations to restore the respect for the Constitution, the Republic and Memorial Day.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks SES1066, and very sorry for your loss. John Bussey, Wall Street Journal:

... The more we assign the soldiering to a select few volunteers -- we don't have an equalizing draft and there is no required national service -- perhaps the easier it is to forget what it means to share a common citizenship or feel a sense of indebtedness or appreciation. If we no longer share in the service, risk and obligation, maybe that explains why many of us no longer observe Memorial Day.

With respect, the more we rely on a peacetime draft, the more we become a thoroughly indoctrinated socialist paradise and single party state -- the very reason Rangel supports a permanent draft.

[ameribbean expat]

http://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/memorial-day-2016?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[This I Wonder32460]

“select few volunteers—we don’t have an equalizing draft and there is no required national service”

“Select” is exactly what the draft does and it does not really equalize, it forces those who volunteer to work with those who are “selected” drafted against their free will, which of course, free will is defended by those particular ones who chose to volunteer. At this point draft is not the answer. Freedom is the only thing that is equalizing, it doesn’t mean we will all be the same or live the same, it means the actions of our lives are our own and in that we are all equal.

I do give thanks, pray for those who currently serve, for those who previously served and those who served and are long gone either in battle or later in their life and I pray. . .

[stars & stripes forever]

Respect for the military is instilled in people at an early age. When I grew up my parents (both veterans) taught me and my brother and sister to respect not only the veterans, but the police as well. It was also taught in school.

Hopefully the American soldiers’ sacrifice will be reintroduced in the public schools. I suggest mandatory reading include daily history lessons via http://americanminute.com/ History tells the true story of the American soldier.

[ml/nj]

We're not likely to return to the roots of Memorial Day.

It used to be Decoration Day named because it was a day put aside for widows of Union soldiers to decorate their graves. It was not celebrated by most of the States of the Confederacy. In 1968, the majestic Congress of the United States forced this holiday upon these States.

ML/NJ

[GingisK]

Ignore the media and the liberal jerks, and then celebrate our heroes.

[Drew68]

Very few Americans today know someone who was killed in combat. In past generations, everyone knew someone who didn't come home.

I suppose this isn't a bad thing.

[bgill]

Moving holidays to Wednesdays so there are no 3 day weekends would help. Yeah, like that’s ever going to happen.

We are remembering Anthony, age 18, who was killed in Iraq on Memorial Day 2011. Sweet young man. Huge smile. Brave soul.