Happy Memorial Day

[moda0306]

Regardless of some of the jaded conversations we have here, a lot of people have made huge sacrifices, and have done so with the intent that our country is safer for it.  While I think the benevolence and work ethic of most of our military members get abused by the government far-too-often, it doesn't mean they're not trying with all their heart, head and courage to do way more than their fair share, and that alone is extremely deserving of respect.

Taking special time to honor those who have died in combat might cause some cognitive dissonance to some who really don't see those fights as being beneficial U.S. interests, or even morally justifiable.  It doesn't have to.  If we have in our citizenry a population of folks who are naturally predisposed to be the first in line to make massive sacrifices for this country, all-the-more reason we approach war with the utmost honesty, apprehension, and debate.  All things being equal, I would rather have those folks here raising their children and running businesses than anything having to do with war. 

Happy Memorial Day to those who have fallen in combat. 

Let's take away from their sacrifices all the useful lessons we possibly can about who we can be as people, as citizens, and as advocates for public policy.

[MachineGhost]

Why do we need two of these holidays, Memorial and Veteran's? 

Oh, I forgot.  This is a Communist holiday.  Isn't that an insult to the dead and veterans?

I think we ought to eliminate one or the other; after all, there hasn't been any true wars since WWII and those veterans will all be dead soon.

These holidays always make me ill in the way that reading Orwell's 1984 did.  Most people are just too stupid or ignorant to know what they're participating in.

There's more than plenty of service member's who see through all the bullshit.  No amount of emotional glorification by civilians is going to make up for what they lost.

[Xan]

Armed Forces Day is for people currently in the armed forces.
Veterans' Day is for people who used to be in the armed forces.
Memorial Day is for those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

You can argue that we don't need all of them, but that doesn't mean they're all the same.

Yes, there's plenty of BS, and I'm sure today is super weird for many veterans and families, particularly those who have lost somebody close.  But is it so bad to get a reminder every once in a while to be thankful that there are rough mean ready to risk their lives in order for us to sleep peacefully in our beds?

[Pointedstick]

Armed Forces Day is for people currently in the armed forces.
Veterans' Day is for people who used to be in the armed forces.
Memorial Day is for those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

You can argue that we don't need all of them, but that doesn't mean they're all the same.

Yes, there's plenty of BS, and I'm sure today is super weird for many veterans and families, particularly those who have lost somebody close.  But is it so bad to get a reminder every once in a while to be thankful that there are rough mean ready to risk their lives in order for us to sleep peacefully in our beds?

No, but I would feel a whole lot better if those rough men were indeed directed to act so that I can sleep peacefully rather than to destroy the peaceful sleep of others, for the most part. We haven't fought a legitimate war of defense in a loooooooong time.

[Ad Orientem]

It used to be Decoration Day, the one holiday commemorating the military, active duty, veterans (originally of the War of the Rebellion) and those who died for our country. As a veteran (US Navy) I agree that a national holiday of this sort is appropriate. Three however, seems excessive.

In the spirit of the day I offer a few articles for reflection...

Americans gave their lives to defeat the Nazis. The Dutch have never forgotten.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/ame ... story.html

A War Story (some family history)
http://ad-orientem.blogspot.com/2015/05 ... story.html

Fred Reed on the modern Army (warning: language and extreme non PC content)
http://www.fredoneverything.net/PussyGeneral.shtml

[Xan]

Wasn't Decoration Day specifically honoring war dead?  "Decoration" being what was done to the graves on that day.

It was originally a Confederate holiday, which some Yankee general liked and ripped off.  We still have Confederate Memorial Day, often the last Monday of April (but varies by state), and now also Federal Memorial Day, the last Sunday of May.

[Ad Orientem]

Xan you are right and I stand corrected.

[Libertarian666]

Armed Forces Day is for people currently in the armed forces.
Veterans' Day is for people who used to be in the armed forces.
Memorial Day is for those who gave their lives in the service of their country.

You can argue that we don't need all of them, but that doesn't mean they're all the same.

Yes, there's plenty of BS, and I'm sure today is super weird for many veterans and families, particularly those who have lost somebody close.  But is it so bad to get a reminder every once in a while to be thankful that there are rough mean ready to risk their lives in order for us to sleep peacefully in our beds?

No, but I would feel a whole lot better if those rough men were indeed directed to act so that I can sleep peacefully rather than to destroy the peaceful sleep of others, for the most part. We haven't fought a legitimate war of defense in a loooooooong time.

Right. They haven't been defending me, and there is nothing new about this.
Read "War is a racket" by General Smedley Butler, available many places on the web, including http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/warisaracket.html.

[moda0306]

Why do we need two of these holidays, Memorial and Veteran's? 

Oh, I forgot.  This is a Communist holiday.  Isn't that an insult to the dead and veterans?

I think we ought to eliminate one or the other; after all, there hasn't been any true wars since WWII and those veterans will all be dead soon.

These holidays always make me ill in the way that reading Orwell's 1984 did.  Most people are just too stupid or ignorant to know what they're participating in.

There's more than plenty of service member's who see through all the bullshit.  No amount of emotional glorification by civilians is going to make up for what they lost.

I don't think adherence to the statist motivations for purpetuating a holiday need to be adhered to to take the best ideas from a holiday and taking time to use those ideas to perhaps drive a different narrative than the statist one.

For instance, I love the 4th of July.  Why?  Brats, beer, boats and fireworks... and maybe a few pinches of tribalist patriotism thrown in.

As far as memorial day & veterans day go... I think you can take them to a healthy place.  My cousin is an Army Ranger, and while I would probably disagree with some of the missions he's sent on, and while he hates certain aspects of the way the Army works, you wouldn't be able to find a better more dedicated, fair-minded dude.  He exudes class and humility but also excellence and confidence.

When I think of all the fervor around Veteran's Day, now, I simply think "how can I be more like this guy."  Or "how can our country best use the sacrifice soldiers are willing to make."  That latter one probably sounds bad, but I mean it more-so as a mid-set to avoid war than to use them as pawns.

I fully realize that holidays are a propagandistic fustercluck.  However, in a world where we aren't going to get rid of them, and would sort of look like a$$holes to most folks if we tried, perhaps we can use them against the war-mongers' nefarious intentions.

[Libertarian666]

Why do we need two of these holidays, Memorial and Veteran's? 

Oh, I forgot.  This is a Communist holiday.  Isn't that an insult to the dead and veterans?

I think we ought to eliminate one or the other; after all, there hasn't been any true wars since WWII and those veterans will all be dead soon.

These holidays always make me ill in the way that reading Orwell's 1984 did.  Most people are just too stupid or ignorant to know what they're participating in.

There's more than plenty of service member's who see through all the bullshit.  No amount of emotional glorification by civilians is going to make up for what they lost.

I don't think adherence to the statist motivations for purpetuating a holiday need to be adhered to to take the best ideas from a holiday and taking time to use those ideas to perhaps drive a different narrative than the statist one.

For instance, I love the 4th of July.  Why?  Brats, beer, boats and fireworks... and maybe a few pinches of tribalist patriotism thrown in.

As far as memorial day & veterans day go... I think you can take them to a healthy place.  My cousin is an Army Ranger, and while I would probably disagree with some of the missions he's sent on, and while he hates certain aspects of the way the Army works, you wouldn't be able to find a better more dedicated, fair-minded dude.  He exudes class and humility but also excellence and confidence.

When I think of all the fervor around Veteran's Day, now, I simply think "how can I be more like this guy."  Or "how can our country best use the sacrifice soldiers are willing to make."  That latter one probably sounds bad, but I mean it more-so as a mid-set to avoid war than to use them as pawns.

I fully realize that holidays are a propagandistic fustercluck.  However, in a world where we aren't going to get rid of them, and would sort of look like a$$holes to most folks if we tried, perhaps we can use them against the war-mongers' nefarious intentions.

I love holidays... as long as I'm being paid for not working on them, which is currently the case. Otherwise, they are just annoying because I can't get anything accomplished due to most businesses being closed.

[screwtape]

I'm a Vietnam Vet.

I didn't sacrifice anything. I joined because I was probably going to be drafted into the Army and end up in Vietnam if I didn't. I ended up there any way.

Upon further reflection throughout the rest of my life I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that helped to keep you any freer than you are now so don't even go there with me. You owe me nothing.

[dualstow]

Americans gave their lives to defeat the Nazis. The Dutch have never forgotten.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/ame ... story.html

I read that one the other morning. So good.

[Libertarian666]

I'm a Vietnam Vet.

I didn't sacrifice anything. I joined because I was probably going to be drafted into the Army and end up in Vietnam if I didn't. I ended up there any way.

Upon further reflection throughout the rest of my life I did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that helped to keep you any freer than you are now so don't even go there with me. You owe me nothing.

I hear you. I got as far as having to report for a draft physical, which fortunately I failed. Had I passed it, and my student deferment was not reinstated (my college had apparently screwed up the reporting of my student status), I was headed for Canada.