Juniorprof has a great post up about his grandfather's service in WWII.
There's also an article in the Times (from the archives) about how nowadays, Memorial Day is more often a day for picnics than for actually, like, remembering our veterans' and troops' sacrifices.
Both of my grandfathers served--one in WWII, one in Korea. Neither of them will talk much, if at all, about those times. After their respective services, one of them ran a laundry and worked hard to send his four children off to better lives; the other taught math and ditto. They both succeeded.
So what am I doing for Memorial Day? Well, honestly, I don't feel comfortable doing any of the things that might be most appropriate to celebrate--sending care packages to Iraq/Afghanistan? Visiting local military cemetery, or VA? Other?
What I am doing is working. And you know what? Since your tax dollars pay my salary, I like to think I'm giving back to my country by working hard on a day that most people spend barbecuing. Thanks, grandfathers.
15 years ago
6 comments:
Interesting post. In the UK and Canada we remember our veterans in November, which tends to pull people away from the BBQ and inspire a more thoughtful holiday. Strange how something as simple as a different date might influence the way a nation commemorates those who served in its armed forces.
Good point, cae. Of course, I also think there are a lot of unfortunate aspects to American consumer culture that serve to turn this into a party holiday....good weather or not.
good for you. I should go to work too.
my grandfathers both served, too.
My grandfathers didn't serve (one was too old, and the other was a coal miner, therefore more valuable at home and not allowed to enlist), but the day (or rather the corresponding day in November) is still very meaningful to me. I thank my high school history teachers for that.
My Grandfather served in the british army and I take honoring veterans quite seriously. A thought, is going out and enjoying a picnic with your family, honoring those that fought for your freedom to do that? Not trying to be controversial, I just wonder if you can do both?
Sciencemother--that's true, I was more thinking of the attitude that Memorial Day shopping at the mall is the height of observance....
Post a Comment