NationStates Jolt Archive

With Memorial Day just around the corner, I would like to thank all veterans for their service to this country. Remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and a special thanks to those who are currently serving their country.

Thank you veterans and those of you who are currently serving.

not to the people who are forcing them to go though

http://www.nod-valley.k12.ia.us/community/rocks/1999rock.jpg

not to the people who are forcing them to go though

Leave politics at the door please.

http://www.nod-valley.k12.ia.us/community/rocks/1999rock.jpg

That is nice. Where is it located? Thanks for posting it.

not to the people who are forcing them to go though

This post was meant to thank our veterans. If you want to debate politics please do it in another thread.

That is nice. Where is it located? Thanks for posting it.

Here's the article on that rock, and other pictures of paintings.

http://www.nod-valley.k12.ia.us/community/rocks/rocks.html

I always took Memorial Day for granted. Having my brother serve during Desert Storm made it personal but what really brought it home was researching my genealogy. Seeing the generations of my ancestors go off to war for this country made it very real when their links ended because of their sacrifice. I realized this isn't the just the country of the corrupt politicians, hypocritical, puritanical, double standards, and ozone depleting consumers. This is also my country; a gift given to me by the sacrifices they made. So the question becomes: how best can I thank them?

A toast to those who have served, who gave their lives in the line of duty. your blood, sweat and tears will always be remembered.

I always took Memorial Day for granted. Having my brother serve during Desert Storm made it personal but what really brought it home was researching my genealogy. Seeing the generations of my ancestors go off to war for this country made it very real when their links ended because of their sacrifice. I realized this isn't the just the country of the corrupt politicians, hypocritical, puritanical, double standards, and ozone depleting consumers. This is also my country; a gift given to me by the sacrifices they made. So the question becomes: how best can I thank them?


Throw a barbecue and have a beer in their honor. ;)

With Memorial Day just around the corner, I would like to thank all veterans for their service to this country. Remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and a special thanks to those who are currently serving their country.

Thank you veterans and those of you who are currently serving.

Bah! Veterans already have a day!

Thank you, memorials for giving pigeons a place to rest and poop. Without you, they might poop on my laundry. *nod*

Bah! Veterans already have a day!

Thank you, memorials for giving pigeons a place to rest and poop. Without you, they might poop on my laundry. *nod*

Mr Gayerson is there a "Clown" holiday?

Mr Gayerson is there a "Clown" holiday?

Sadly, no. :(

But there is a Hike Naked Day! (June 21st) :)

Thank you for keeping this country free, and getting me a day off of school!

I thought memorial day was about the war of northern aggression, not veterans.

There's an Army Reserve Armory directly next to my town; after Monday's parade I'm thinking of doing some community service over there.

Speaking of which, is there a general US Armed Forces Day for those that are in the military but haven't retired or died?

Sadly, no. :(

But there is a Hike Naked Day! (June 21st) :)

I enjoy that day very much.

So the question becomes: how best can I thank them?

There's many ways to thank us, but we really appreciate a simple "Thank you". There are also a lot of programs that send out care packages to the troops, filled with candy, DVDs, phone cards and the like. I'm an Aviation Structural Mechanic in the Navy, and a bunch of us on the ship got care packages during our first deployment. They were from some program that gets all the stuff through volunteers and donations, and then sends it to us.

There's nothing like the feeling of getting some REAL FOOD, even if it is gummi bears, in the middle of the Persian Gulf. There's a lot of websites and whatnot where you can donate stuff... I'm not sure which ones, but you could probably google it or something. :) Just a thought. But any grattitude is appreciated.

Thank you for keeping this country free, and getting me a day off of school! How do you get a day off for an American holiday, in half-term as well:confused: May I ask why you have a memorial day on May 28th when you have veterans day (remembrance day) on the 11th of November to mark the end of the great war.

How do you get a day off for an American holiday, in half-term as well:confused: May I ask why you have a memorial day on May 28th when you have veterans day (remembrance day) on the 11th of November to mark the end of the great war.

memorial day is to honor those who died in war defending the united states.

it started as a memorial to the dead of the civil war but as we moved away from that generation it has become a memorial to all our war dead.

memorial day is to honor those who died in war defending the united states.

it started as a memorial to the dead of the civil war but as we moved away from that generation it has become a memorial to all our war dead. So is it like remembrance day in this country with 2 minute silence, parades, wreath laying etc.

So is it like remembrance day in this country with 2 minute silence, parades, wreath laying etc.

parades, picnics, going to the shore.

its also the time when most families (who do such things) take care of family graves, clean things up, put flags on the graves of those who served in the military. plant flower or put atificial ones if that is all that is allowed.

I fucking hate Memorial Day and Veterans Day. How exactly is serving in the military "protecting our freedom"? Someone needs to be attacking it first in order for one to defend it.

Eutrusca?

not to rain on your parade or nothing, but making a point to speak on behalf of those soldiers currently living on memorial day is rather morbid.

Memorial day is a day of rememberance for those soldiers who perished in war. Veteran's day is for those who survived the war.

I fucking hate Memorial Day and Veterans Day. How exactly is serving in the military "protecting our freedom"? Someone needs to be attacking it first in order for one to defend it. The days are about remembering the men who have died to protect your country, so that they and there sacrifices shall never be forgotten.

You know the drill
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

memorial day is to honor those who died in war defending the united states.

what, in 1812?

I fucking hate Memorial Day and Veterans Day. How exactly is serving in the military "protecting our freedom"? Someone needs to be attacking it first in order for one to defend it.

Because those in the military will be there first to defend it if need arises.

Eutrusca?

He's currently getting ready for that motorcycle trip.

Starts Monday. *nods*

Because those in the military will be there first to defend it if need arises.

But I'm told to thank people who are protecting it now, when they aren't. And when has the military defended our freedom? I can honestly only think War of 1812 and maybe WWII. Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq were oversea adventures. None of them would've attacked us if we left them alone.

A very important holiday - Happy Memorial Day, everyone! :)

But I'm told to thank people who are protecting it now, when they aren't. And when has the military defended our freedom? I can honestly only think War of 1812 and maybe WWII. Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq were oversea adventures. None of them would've attacked us if we left them alone. How about the cold war? From 1950's to 1991.

How about the cold war? From 1950's to 1991.

From what I've learned, we were attacking our own freedom...McCarthyism ring a bell? And there never was a war between the US and Soviet Union, which is why it's called a cold war. You know what saved our asses from war during that era during those several close calls? Diplomacy.

n.b.: I'd like to mention that I don't hate veterans or people in the armed services...I just hate anytime people tell me how I should think and feel towards certain things. This goes for Mothers Day, Fathers Day, birthdays, Black History Month, etc. I don't want to be obligated to thank/reflect upon/honor anyone.

But I'm told to thank people who are protecting it now, when they aren't.

Do you even know what Memorial Day means?

To remember those that served and died for our country.

Nobody is telling you to do anything. You don't want to celebrate a holiday that you feel opposed to..then don't.

Nobody is telling you to do anything. You don't want to celebrate a holiday that you feel opposed to..then don't.

Believe me, I hear it every day in school when it comes around. It certainly doesn't help when every single day my "moment of silence" is explicitly told to be dedicated to soldiers overseas. Not that I care, but it's irritating.

I honestly have no problem with those who serve in our armed forces, but we need to do away with the ingrained worship that the post-Vietnam era has built. The veterans of this nation have been very effective as an interest group, and the result is depressing.

I don't celebrate Memorial day, because I am sick of the compulsive "patriotism" that demands false words mouthed about the troops to make people look good, and continues to grow the military in all the wrong ways.

I honestly have no problem with those who serve in our armed forces, but we need to do away with the ingrained worship that the post-Vietnam era has built. The veterans of this nation have been very effective as an interest group, and the result is depressing.

I don't celebrate Memorial day, because I am sick of the compulsive "patriotism" that demands false words mouthed about the troops to make people look good, and continues to grow the military in all the wrong ways.

I agree. My sister, my grandfather were both in the USN. I have no more issues with babykilling soldiers than I do with any other group - that is to say, I'm a misanthropist and hate everyone equally. But I do have issues with the idea that I should be "grateful" to those "defending my freedom" by killing brown people overseas. Surely 15% of everything I make goes to their wages, how much more gratitude than 15% of my life, time, energy is needed? Jeez.

I fucking hate Memorial Day and Veterans Day. How exactly is serving in the military "protecting our freedom"? Someone needs to be attacking it first in order for one to defend it.

Well, for better or for worse, the United States has taken on the responsibility of defending freedom for all peoples, all over the world. Which is funny, remembering our history of being a backwater that millions of poor people from Europe, then China and Africa migrated to. The U.S. was an isolated community of immigrants until WW1, when we went to the aid of France and England because, well... why did we go into WW1? To keep the Germans from upsetting the status quo? Anyway, after that, America was a world superpower, and after being greeted as liberators in WW2, we kind of fell into the role. It's industrialism and patriotism that got us here. Not that industrialism and patriotism are bad. They've just had a negative effect on U.S. foreign policy.

*remembers, and raises a toast*
Peace.

I fucking hate Memorial Day and Veterans Day. How exactly is serving in the military "protecting our freedom"? Someone needs to be attacking it first in order for one to defend it.

Hey, here's how to thank veterans and service members! Don't have THIS ^ kind of attitude.

I'd like to mention that I don't hate veterans or people in the armed services... I just hate anytime people tell me how I should think and feel towards certain things. This goes for Mothers Day, Fathers Day, birthdays, Black History Month, etc. I don't want to be obligated to thank/reflect upon/honor anyone.

No ones putting a gun to your head and forcing you to thank the vetrans. I'm active duty, and I've got better things to do than putting a gun to your head... like fixing F/A-18-E/F Super Hornets so they can go bomb brown people. :rolleyes: If you hate being "told" how to think or feel, then please, go to work or school on Memorial day to protest. Fight the power!

It's the same retarted argument that all those left-wing athiests make. You know, "In God We Trust" shouldn't be on our currency, the Pledge of Allegiance should not have "Under God" in it, and Christmas should not be a federal holiday. SO, by all means, work on Christmas! Oh, what's that? You don't want to? Oh, that's okay, you're just a giant HIPPOCRITE, that's all. And I'm a freakin' athiest too, but I'm not gonna bitch, because I'm not being forced to do anything (i.e. convert or die) that I don't really wanna do.

Look, I just got back from a 3-month deployment to Asia. My ship and our strike group patrolled the Sea of Japan and kept watch on North Korea. If they decided to lay the smackdown on Japan, which they are just aching to do, we would be there to stop them. We would be defending American freedoms, and Japan's, and the rest of our allies in the region, like Singapore and Thailand. So it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. No one drafted you... you're just fine sitting in your studio apartment reading 9/11 conspiracy theories on the web while I'm fixing aircraft and doing General Quarters drills at all hours of the night. So, you don't have to send us a care package, or even say "Thank You". All you have to do is recognize the sacrafice we make, even if you think we're all evil imperialist bastards. And you do. :(

My mother's father died in Vietnam. He died over a decade before I was even born. My birthday is May 29th so I am fortunate enough to sometimes share the day with those who fell before me, even if I never met them.

Leave politics at the door please.

The topic can't possibly be apolitical. You have your agenda, others have theirs. Deal.

Eutrusca?

Hahahahahahaa...the thought did cross my mind as well.

No ones putting a gun to your head and forcing you to thank the vetrans. I'm active duty, and I've got better things to do than putting a gun to your head... like fixing F/A-18-E/F Super Hornets so they can go bomb brown people. :rolleyes:

Yay, you're special and deserving of praise! Keep on rocking those machines that kill innocent civilians!

If you hate being "told" how to think or feel, then please, go to work or school on Memorial day to protest. Fight the power!

Oh, I plan on it. You see, I've got better things to do than felate you, like working to defend the constitution

It's the same retarted argument that all those left-wing athiests make. You know, "In God We Trust" shouldn't be on our currency, the Pledge of Allegiance should not have "Under God" in it, and Christmas should not be a federal holiday.

Correct, correct, and correct.

SO, by all means, work on Christmas!

Sure, wouldn't be the first time. Did it last year, and the year before that. Plan on it this year. You see, I don't really care what day some guy got born, or nailed to a plank, or apparently stood up after being nailed to a plank.

Oh, what's that? You don't want to? Oh, that's okay, you're just a giant HIPPOCRITE, that's all.

You know, if you're going to make a stupid argument, then try to respond to that stupid argument, before anyone has a chance to tell you how fucking stupid that argument is...that's not a very smart thing to do.

And they trust you to fix airplanes?

Look, I just got back from a 3-month deployment to Asia.

Um, good for you? Congratulations, you manages to difficult task of....staying on a boat for 3 months without falling over.


My ship and our strike group patrolled the Sea of Japan and kept watch on North Korea. If they decided to lay the smackdown on Japan, which they are just aching to do, we would be there to stop them. We would be defending American freedoms, and Japan's, and the rest of our allies in the region, like Singapore and Thailand.

No, you'd be defending Japans. Not american freedoms. American interests, yes, but not freedoms. An attack on japan would not affect the constitution or the implimentation thereof. It would perhaps affect the american ECONOMY, but not american freedoms.

Your job there isn't to protect american freedoms, not in the slightest. Your job there is to make sure that rich people keep on staying rich. The sooner you accept the fact that you don't fight for anyones rights, but rich people's bank accounts, the more intellectually honest you will be.


So it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. No one drafted you...

You're right, nobody did. You go sit on a boat for 3 months protecting rich people's bank accounts. You go right ahead and do that as much as you want.

I'm fixing aircraft and doing General Quarters drills at all hours of the night.

I don't care what you do. That's YOUR life, YOU chose it, YOU took it on. Why the hell should I make effort to congratulate you for YOUR choices. I don't care if it's hard, it was your decision. Nobody congratulates me after an 80 hour work week.


So, you don't have to send us a care package, or even say "Thank You". All you have to do is recognize the sacrafice we make

I don't have to do shit.

even if you think we're all evil imperialist bastards. And you do. :(

See, here's the thing. I don't. I don't think that of you at all. And so I bare you no ill will for that. I think that of the people who give you your orders, however.

Now, all that being said. I do have great respect for much of our military. A tremendous deal. I think it's an important job, and perhaps even a vital one. But do you know the ones I respect the most? The ones who do it because they believe it's the right thing to do. Those who do it for honor, for their nation, for their loved ones. Not those who join the military just so they can go on a forum and yell "I AM IN THE MILITARY, RESPECT ME!!!!!!"

I respect those who do their job because they believe in the value of their job, and do not feel the need to ask me for my respect, or tell me that somehow they've earned it. Those who would do a job because it has value are respectable. Those who do a job because they feel it would gain them respect for the mere virtue of doing it deserve none.

June 1st will make a year since my retirement after 23 of service in the U.S. Air Force!

Yay, you're special and deserving of praise! Keep on rocking those machines that kill innocent civilians!
I will! I even got six medals to show for it! Oh, you're being sarcastic... we'll I'll keep doing it just to spite you. :p

Oh, I plan on it. You see, I've got better things to do than felate you, like working to defend the constitution

I never asked for a blowjob... where's your mind at?

Um, good for you? Congratulations, you manages to difficult task of....staying on a boat for 3 months without falling over.

Yup, it's just that simple. :rolleyes: You clearly don't know anyone in the military. A deployment is so much more than that... it's like being in prison. But I'll gladly bear that burden, because it's for a cause greater than myself. You know nothing of sacrafice.

Your job there isn't to protect american freedoms, not in the slightest. Your job there is to make sure that rich people keep on staying rich. The sooner you accept the fact that you don't fight for anyones rights, but rich people's bank accounts, the more intellectually honest you will be.

Not in the slightest, huh? So why didn't we just sell Pearl Harbor to Japan? We woulda made some serious bank, bro! The military doesn't protect American freedoms... Christ, that's ignorant. Yeah, thousands of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines died on D-Day to liberate Europe, and give THEM freedom, and now they hate us. You're welcome.

I don't care what you do. That's YOUR life, YOU chose it, YOU took it on. Why the hell should I make effort to congratulate you for YOUR choices. I don't care if it's hard, it was your decision. Nobody congratulates me after an 80 hour work week.

Someone does! It's called Labor Day. :D 80 hours? Damn... maybe all the lack of sleep has made you irratable, or delusional.

See, here's the thing. I don't. I don't think that of you at all. And so I bare you no ill will for that. I think that of the people who give you your orders, however.

But I chose to follow those orders, I choose to fix Super Hornets and Vikings and Seahawks and Prowlers and whatnot so they can go bomb people. Doesn't that make me an Imperalist Bastard, too? I'd say that I am, by your standards. So why don't you just come out and say it? The sooner YOU accept the fact that you hate the troops, and not just the leaders... the more intellectually honest YOU will be.

Now, all that being said. I do have great respect for much of our military. A tremendous deal.

How can you? All we do is make sure that rich people keep on staying rich. We don't fight for anyones rights, we fight for rich people's bank accounts. And we do it willingly. Those are your words, remember? So how can you have great respect for us?

I think it's an important job, and perhaps even a vital one.

Perhaps you're right. Just to be on the safe side, let's get rid of the military and see if Russia, China, Iran or whoever the fuck doesn't decide to invade 24 hours later.

But do you know the ones I respect the most? The ones who do it because they believe it's the right thing to do. Those who do it for honor, for their nation, for their loved ones. Not those who join the military just so they can go on a forum and yell "I AM IN THE MILITARY, RESPECT ME!!!!!!"

That is why I joined, and for the record, I never said the above quote. Duh. I said "recognize the sacrifice" we make, although I might have spelled it wrong. :cool:

I respect those who do their job because they believe in the value of their job, and do not feel the need to ask me for my respect, or tell me that somehow they've earned it. Those who would do a job because it has value are respectable. Those who do a job because they feel it would gain them respect for the mere virtue of doing it deserve none.
I agree, but I also respect people who are honest with themselves. Clearly, you hate the government. So why not hate the troops too? We are their servants, their loyal enforcers. Every terrible thing the Government does (in your opinion), we make sure it happens. So you don't have to patronize us and say you respect us when you obviously don't, and, not to mention, you're completly ignorant of our reason to exist.

So, have a great Memorial Day! I'll be sure to thank all the rich bastards I work for because they gave me the day off. Maybe you should thank us for giving YOU the day off, if you get it. (Probably not with an 80-hour work week! Damn, go to monster.com or something!) But you don't have to thank us. You can just keep your mouth shut, too. Whatever floats your boat, so to speak. :)

A deployment is so much more than that... it's like being in prison. But I'll gladly bear that burden, because it's for a cause greater than myself. You know nothing of sacrafice.

What a hero. You do a job. You get good benefits and pay and room and board. Pardon me whilest I worship at your martyr'd, Jesus-like feet.

So why didn't we just sell Pearl Harbor to Japan? We woulda made some serious bank, bro!

Not at all. As a profit-making port, any reasonable price they would have offered wouldn't outweight the opportunity cost of all the years afterward of revenue.

The military doesn't protect American freedoms... Christ, that's ignorant. Yeah, thousands of Soldiers, Sailors and Marines died on D-Day to liberate Europe, and give THEM freedom, and now they hate us. You're welcome.

...I like how you use liberating Europe as an example of protecting American freedoms. It amuses me, as does the fact that you have to hearken back to WWII just to find something worthwhile the military did at all.


Perhaps you're right. Just to be on the safe side, let's get rid of the military and see if Russia, China, Iran or whoever the fuck doesn't decide to invade 24 hours later.

Perhaps you can tell me just how China or Iran could invade the US at all, let alone within 24 hours. Magic powers perhaps?

But you don't have to thank us. You can just keep your mouth shut, too. Whatever floats your boat, so to speak. :)

How about I spit on your self-created "sacrifices," your shitty "lick my ass" attitude, and your ignorance?

I always took Memorial Day for granted. Having my brother serve during Desert Storm made it personal but what really brought it home was researching my genealogy. Seeing the generations of my ancestors go off to war for this country made it very real when their links ended because of their sacrifice. I realized this isn't the just the country of the corrupt politicians, hypocritical, puritanical, double standards, and ozone depleting consumers. This is also my country; a gift given to me by the sacrifices they made. So the question becomes: how best can I thank them?


well put my friend...my son is serving as did my father and my fathers father.
many will have you believe this country is a consumerist whore,while it may be partly true....show me a country or person that is not.
you like electricity for your computer..your feeding the machine as well..but to the op...i have a deep sense of respect for all those that serve,not always for the best interests of their country(german soldiers come to mind in ww2.but they fought for the country..and i dont mean the genocidal maniacs...i mean the foot soldiers)my son may die,and it will destroy me personally,but i know he is fighting for me,for you,for what he believes in.
one can argue this or that,bush is an asshole,he is fighting for the oil companies...that is false...he is fighting cause his country needs him too,and he is brave beyond words,i would not want to die in somalia like friends did,and as fucked up as the mission was,they did what they thought was right...politics aside...an un winnable argument...lets just say they are brave men and women that are doing what they are told and think they are doing what is right.
i want to thank every serviceman and women....thank you for your sacrifice.
leave politics out...your brave and have my respect.

But I'm told to thank people who are protecting it now, when they aren't. And when has the military defended our freedom? I can honestly only think War of 1812 and maybe WWII. Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq were oversea adventures. None of them would've attacked us if we left them alone.

your a twit and a flamer

guess you are typing on a computer made from reeds or grass....if not...go study geo poloitics and learn how the world works.

evrything you have from your computer to your hello kitty hand bag came from someone dying for it...it may distress you to know,war is part of life..part of the life you enjoy.
i dont know how to break it to you,and i dont like it either..but people kill and die for things..things you take for granted.
some want to kill you for what you have,some die to protect you,the world is fucked up..i aint ragging on you directly,but grow up...you say the bush war is about oil..if your an anti bush person..i am..but your typing on a computer that is made from petrochemicals...go live in the woods and eat bark then talk to me about war.people have been killing and dying since the dawn of mankind..why is that?
it is easy to talk about things in the abstract,but the fact remains...people have fought and died over fucking water....but most dont see the relevance to their stupid little lives..it is easy to say..war is bad,love thy neighbor...well your typing now cause we have the neighbors oil to make the computers with...do i wish things were different..hell yea..am i going to argue with a milenia of history..no i am not.
so just remember..people died so you can go to a chat room..it is that simple!

Eutrusca?
I'm sure that he's going to drink a toast to his fallen comrades, much like I will for mine.

Otherwise, he seems to have taken the sensible path of mostly retiring from NSG.

I always took Memorial Day for granted. Having my brother serve during Desert Storm made it personal but what really brought it home was researching my genealogy. Seeing the generations of my ancestors go off to war for this country made it very real when their links ended because of their sacrifice. I realized this isn't the just the country of the corrupt politicians, hypocritical, puritanical, double standards, and ozone depleting consumers. This is also my country; a gift given to me by the sacrifices they made. So the question becomes: how best can I thank them?

Very well said. Thanks for the post.

I thought memorial day was about the war of northern aggression, not veterans.

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.
http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

http://www.nod-valley.k12.ia.us/community/rocks/1999rock.jpg
Which war's veterans are this? The US has fought so many, and few of them honorable.
What is Memorial Day really about? Boosting US nationalism?

There's many ways to thank us, but we really appreciate a simple "Thank you". There are also a lot of programs that send out care packages to the troops, filled with candy, DVDs, phone cards and the like. I'm an Aviation Structural Mechanic in the Navy, and a bunch of us on the ship got care packages during our first deployment. They were from some program that gets all the stuff through volunteers and donations, and then sends it to us.

There's nothing like the feeling of getting some REAL FOOD, even if it is gummi bears, in the middle of the Persian Gulf. There's a lot of websites and whatnot where you can donate stuff... I'm not sure which ones, but you could probably google it or something. :) Just a thought. But any grattitude is appreciated.

Thank you for your service. Here is one site that sends "Care Packages" to the troops. Even though they are in Oklahoma, the troops don't have to be from Ok. to receive a package. http://www.okbluestarmothers.org/

Here is another organization that does a lot for the troops. http://www.uso.org/ I really appreciated what they did for us when I was on active duty.

How do you get a day off for an American holiday, in half-term as well:confused: May I ask why you have a memorial day on May 28th when you have veterans day (remembrance day) on the 11th of November to mark the end of the great war.

Here is why we have a Veterans Day in the U.S.

Armistice Day Becomes Veterans Day

World War I officially ended on June 28, 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany, however, had ended seven months earlier with the armistice, which went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, officially became a holiday in the United States in 1926, and a national holiday 12 years later. On June 1, 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans.

In 1968, new legislation changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/veteransday1.html

Look, I just got back from a 3-month deployment to Asia. My ship and our strike group patrolled the Sea of Japan and kept watch on North Korea. If they decided to lay the smackdown on Japan, which they are just aching to do, we would be there to stop them. We would be defending American freedoms, and Japan's, and the rest of our allies in the region, like Singapore and Thailand.
Um, I'm not blaming you for this policy, but Japan doesn't need to be defended in the slightest, certainly not from North Korea's fearsome naval armada of three frigates. The Japanese military is fine on its own.

Soldiers are like lawyers. They do stupid things, often, and everyone loves to hate them, but in the end, they do fulfil a vital job. I have respect for the military not so much because they defend freedom (because yes, they often don't) but more because I could never be a soldier. Because I'm, uh, a coward, to be honest. I'm not American, but thanks to veterans and all that.

I'm confused will there be any mention of civilians or foreign troops?

just saying that does make it kind of a sad "where the goodies" fest

edit: I thank and honour all veterans regardless of nationality/allegiance

But I'm told to thank people who are protecting it now, when they aren't. And when has the military defended our freedom? I can honestly only think War of 1812 and maybe WWII. Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq were oversea adventures. None of them would've attacked us if we left them alone.

As I said before this thread was started to thank and honor our veterans. If you want to start a political debate please take it to another thread. If you don't want to thank or honor our veterans please don't post. Thank you.

To those who sacrifice for the rest...

:: cheers ::

I'm confused will there be any mention of civilians or foreign troops?

just saying that does make it kind of a sad "where the goodies" fest
Well, foreign countries have their own days for those...

The topic can't possibly be apolitical. You have your agenda, others have theirs. Deal.

No. My only agenda is to remember those who gave there lives for our country, and thank those we were and are willing to give their lives for out country.

I do have great respect for much of our military. A tremendous deal. I think it's an important job, and perhaps even a vital one.

You have not shown that in this thread, in fact your posts have shown just the opposite. :(

June 1st will make a year since my retirement after 23 of service in the U.S. Air Force!

Thanks for your service. I retired from the Air Force almost 19 years ago after 26 years on active duty.

Well, foreign countries have their own days for those...

actually remembrance day is for all troops regardless of who they fought for who even if they where troops

No. My only agenda is to remember those who gave there lives for our country, and thank those we were and are willing to give their lives for out country.

our country?

This memorial day, is it a reason to drink?

actually remembrance day is for all troops regardless of who they fought for who even if they where troops



our country?

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed this year on 2007-05-28). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women

hmm?

Oh, if you're talking about remembrance day in particular, yeah, I suppose it is, but here we only remember Australian and sometimes NZ troops in practice, at the ceremonies and things. It's not like they're being ignored, I'm sure almost every country has a similar day.

I fucking hate Memorial Day and Veterans Day. How exactly is serving in the military "protecting our freedom"?

It's protecting the country from foreign fascist potential invadors. Anyway the idea of protecting freedoms is not a central theme in memorial day.

Which war's veterans are this? The US has fought so many, and few of them honorable.
What is Memorial Day really about? Boosting US nationalism?

That mural on the rock depicts the Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima during WW II.
http://img.infoplease.com/images/iwojimamemorial.jpg

This memorial day, is it a reason to drink?

you need a reason to drink?

hmm?

that is the point I'm making, its sad that the US does this

Oh, if you're talking about remembrance day in particular, yeah, I suppose it is, but here we only remember Australian and sometimes NZ troops in practice, at the ceremonies and things. It's not like they're being ignored, I'm sure almost every country has a similar day.

I'm fairly sure Britain doesn't and I'd bet money Germany and Japan don't either

you need a reason to drink?

Bah, no. But they can come in handy.

Hey, here's how to thank veterans and service members! Don't have THIS ^ kind of attitude.



No ones putting a gun to your head and forcing you to thank the vetrans. I'm active duty, and I've got better things to do than putting a gun to your head... like fixing F/A-18-E/F Super Hornets so they can go bomb brown people. :rolleyes: If you hate being "told" how to think or feel, then please, go to work or school on Memorial day to protest. Fight the power!

It's the same retarted argument that all those left-wing athiests make. You know, "In God We Trust" shouldn't be on our currency, the Pledge of Allegiance should not have "Under God" in it, and Christmas should not be a federal holiday. SO, by all means, work on Christmas! Oh, what's that? You don't want to? Oh, that's okay, you're just a giant HIPPOCRITE, that's all. And I'm a freakin' athiest too, but I'm not gonna bitch, because I'm not being forced to do anything (i.e. convert or die) that I don't really wanna do.

Look, I just got back from a 3-month deployment to Asia. My ship and our strike group patrolled the Sea of Japan and kept watch on North Korea. If they decided to lay the smackdown on Japan, which they are just aching to do, we would be there to stop them. We would be defending American freedoms, and Japan's, and the rest of our allies in the region, like Singapore and Thailand. So it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it. No one drafted you... you're just fine sitting in your studio apartment reading 9/11 conspiracy theories on the web while I'm fixing aircraft and doing General Quarters drills at all hours of the night. So, you don't have to send us a care package, or even say "Thank You". All you have to do is recognize the sacrafice we make, even if you think we're all evil imperialist bastards. And you do. :(

1) Veterans day is for the vets, memorial day is not.
2) It's ironic to misspell Retarded.
3) Which freedoms are you defending again? My right to be wiretapped?

1) Veterans day is for the vets, memorial day is not.
2) It's ironic to misspell Retarded.
3) Which freedoms are you defending again? My right to be wiretapped?

You don't understand, you just don't understand. :(

Bah, no. But they can come in handy.

confess! you just want to tell the women folk you was in Vietnam!

Thank you for your service. Here is one site that sends "Care Packages" to the troops. Even though they are in Oklahoma, the troops don't have to be from Ok. to receive a package. http://www.okbluestarmothers.org/

Here is another organization that does a lot for the troops. http://www.uso.org/ I really appreciated what they did for us when I was on active duty.

i think the blue star mothers must be active all over the country.

the local country radio station is promoting the blue star mothers drive to collect up care packages to deliver to the troops for the 4th of july. they said that money and goods had to be in in the next week or 2 in order to get the packages to the troops by the 4th.

so check around. there is very likely to be a local group that you can help out.

You don't understand, you just don't understand. :(

Yeah I don't see nobility in going off to murder. Sorry.

I'd bet money Germany and Japan don't either
We do have several of those, actually.

First off, there's the Catholic holiday of Allerseelen (All Souls' Day) whereas the Protestants have Ewigkeitssonntag (="Eternity-Sunday"), observed on the last Sunday before Advent.

Ewigkeitssonntag was established on Nov. 17th 1816 by King Frederic William III. of Prussia to commemorate the dead of the Freiheitskriege (="Freedom Wars") against Napoléon, as a remembrance of Queen Luise, and because the Protestant Church did not have something alike to All Soul's Day.

And then the Germans have (re-)established a public holiday in 1952 called Volkstrauertag (="People's Mourning Day"). Here's more if you're interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkstrauertag

Especially interesting is that Volkstrauertag commemorates all victims of war, despotism, and tyranny - no matter which nationality they have.

Anyone live near D.C. and get a chance to see Rolling Thunder? Its friggin amazing.

Especially interesting is that Volkstrauertag commemorates all victims of war, despotism, and tyranny - no matter which nationality they have.

which is the exact point I'm making :confused:

which is the exact point I'm making :confused:
Oh, well - good! Then I misunderstood your post further up.

I thought you meant that we didn't have such a day...
I'm fairly sure Britain doesn't and I'd bet money Germany and Japan don't either

This memorial day, is it a reason to drink?

A toast, or several, to the departed is always appropriate.

No. My only agenda is to remember those who gave there lives for our country, and thank those we were and are willing to give their lives for out country.Even if that does not really mean anything? Like right now in Iraq?

That mural on the rock depicts the Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima during WW II.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a1/WW2_Iwo_Jima_flag_raising.jpg/320px-WW2_Iwo_Jima_flag_raising.jpg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_the_Flag_on_Iwo_Jima)Yes, just half a year before the US committed the worst ever attack on civilians and human life as such. Is there a memorial for the US's nuclear victims in the US somewhere? But I suppose they don't care that much about those they killed. They never do.

You have not shown that in this thread, in fact your posts have shown just the opposite. :(

No...he stated he didn't respect YOU. Just because you demand respect, doesn't mean you get it.

No. My only agenda is to remember those who gave there lives for our country, and thank those we were and are willing to give their lives for out country.

Your agenda includes the belief that being trained how to kill other human beings is something we should respect instead of abhor.

So yeah, you have an agenda. A very political one.

Your agenda includes the belief that being trained how to kill other human beings is something we should respect instead of abhor.

So yeah, you have an agenda. A very political one.
I wouldn't put it that way. I think his agenda is to remember those that were willing to sacrifice their lives for a cause. One can certainly believe that without also believing that killing is somehow to be respected and honored.

Now, all that being said. I do have great respect for much of our military. A tremendous deal. I think it's an important job, and perhaps even a vital one. But do you know the ones I respect the most? The ones who do it because they believe it's the right thing to do. Those who do it for honor, for their nation, for their loved ones. Not those who join the military just so they can go on a forum and yell "I AM IN THE MILITARY, RESPECT ME!!!!!!"

I respect those who do their job because they believe in the value of their job, and do not feel the need to ask me for my respect, or tell me that somehow they've earned it. Those who would do a job because it has value are respectable. Those who do a job because they feel it would gain them respect for the mere virtue of doing it deserve none.
Umm, no, you don't respect the military. You think they fight for rich people's bank accounts.

You're entitled to your opinion, of course, just don't say you respect the military. If you did respect it, you would be much more cordial with our Navy friend up there.