A Salute to "Memorial Day"

[11th/ACR Scout]

I want to dedicate this thread to any "Memorial Day" happening and or events that you fine people would like to share with the rest of us... Feel free to post photos, or simply share your experience and thoughts... Keep in mind, it is a day to honor our dead... No Negativity or criticism please???

"Memorial Day" is observed in the United States in commemoration of those members of the armed forces killed in war. It is officially observed on the last Monday in May. Also called Decoration Day .

I am starting out with something from Drywall...

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That is our American Legion/VFW Honor Guard. There are more guys marching along behind who didn't get caught by the camera. Altogether we have maybe 25 guys but rarely do we get em all together at the same time. Memorial Day IS one of those times when we do.
We visit 9 cemeteries on Memorial Day morning starting at 6:00 AM. At each, the names of vets buried there are read, a rifle salute is fired and taps is played. At 10:00 AM the community observance begins when we march in and post the colors. At the conclusion we place a wreath on a cross and one in a pond honoring those lost on land and sea and in the air. Once again we fire a rifle salute and play taps. Then we march away ending the program.
This will be my towns 121st annual observance of Memorial day and the 21st year of the honor guards existence. The entire Honor Guard was presented with the VFW Americanism Award at last years ceremony in acknowledgment of our 20 years service.
Drywall/John

[ollie]

Every year in Rockland County, New York, we celebrate by having watch fires burning all night and veterans taking turns reading the list of those who were KIA in Viet Nam. That's the big one. There are of course numerouse smaller celebrations at the local veteran's cemeteries. But the watch fire readings are really something.

[Headhunter]

I have the Traveling Wall here again in Alaska. I may go to the Veterns War Memorial this weekend. I've driven by it several time on my way to Anchorage but never stopped. I believe it's time for me to do so.

[Woodmonkey]

My son and I usually alternate between going to the Korean memorial and the Nam memorial.

[conlor]

I've been meaning to go to the 'new' war memorial in the city I live in. It's about 3 years old. I'll plan on going on Monday. Some of the volunteers at work have been involved in making it happen.

[ollie]

I salute all veterans and those KIA,MIA,WIA in all of our past wars. But do we need a Memorial Day of the kind we have now? The kind that the day was moved to a Monday so people could have a three day weekend. The kind that is commercialised and used as an excuse for retail sales from sheets to cars? How many people actually observe and reflect upon what all veterans past and present have done for this country?

On the job, here I am the only veteran of a staff that covers my account in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. That's almost scary. I guess it also shows how old I am :-)

I've been upset since Memorial Day was changed from a fixed date to a floating date for convenience sake. It loses some of its relevance then, at least as far as I'm concerned.

ollie

[sfga6970]

We have a Memorial Day Parade in our town each year and it is well attended by the residents, they support our troops and our Country. I am part of the Honor Guard and this year as 1st Vice Commander of the Post will give the POW/MIA presentation.

We set up a small table symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner alone, covered with a white tablecloth symbolic of their purity of intentions to serve. A single red rose in a vase for the blood they may have shed and a red ribbon around the vase for the thousands of people who wear them on their lapels demanding accountability. A slice of lemon for their bitter fate and salt for the tears that are shed for them. The glass on the table is inverted, since they can't toast with us and the chair is empty since they can't be here. The candle is the light of hope that they will return and the American Flag reminds us that they may have paid the supreme sacrifice for our Country.