ignoring your father in honoring Memorial Day. Different people have different ways to commemorate that day. They may not be thinking about those who served in a non-military way, but they're not dissing them, either.

Since you told me about your father, I'll think about him when I put my flag out, along with all the others who died in service to their country. Thanks for letting me know.

I'll try to edit the OP to make myself clearer...

put simply- "Memorial Day" is for fallen soldiers- specifically, not for "all who served". the day for that is "Veterans Day".

It's a common mistake but an important difference.

thank you!

a way to remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country. I also think of it as a way to remember that there are still our loved ones out there in harms way.

My sweetie's son is in Afghanistan as I type this. I worry about that kid.

It's the only thing I let my heart & mind think.

In relation to your topic. I understand what you're saying. In New York during this time it's Fleetweek so I think for us it's a bit two fold. We tend to look at Memorial day as an every soldier day and I think it's because of the happiness of having the Fleet's coming into our ports. So it's far from a day of mourning. Although I can fully understand your contention with the misuse of the day. I mean I have the same problem with Labor Day. I don't think anyone knows what Labor Day is really about, most of the time.

that oath of silence or whatever and never spoke of his early life.

He was a marxist catholic and worked with Dorothy Day in soup kitchens during the depression. He was a boron chemist and Inorganic Chemistry Vol. 1 Number 1 was dedicated to him along with Hermann Schlessinger, his boss on the Project. He later founded the Chemistry Department at St. Louis University and was responsible for the first African American getting his Ph. D. from there. The Jesuits were hesitant but he threatened his resignation and they gave the gentleman his doctorate.

... all that AND a bag of chips!

Yes, many "super patriots" still seem to get confused about Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, just like they get confused about flag protocol, but...it's not about them, anyway.

When people have wished my son (a now "retired" Marine) a happy Memorial Day, he gently reminds them that he is very much alive, but appreciates their kindness and asks that they remember those that never came home. It's sort of the thought that counts, I guess.

Your father's story is a brave one. I'll remember him along with all the other non-vets that fought for our country.

Thanks for sharing your story.

My mom's first husband was part of a bomber crew shot down over Germany during WWII. He parachuted to safety but was killed by the citizens of a nearby town. Apparently, if one was shot down it was better to be taken prisoner by the German army and not captured by the citizenry.

Anyway, she remarried a Navy man (my dad) who served in WWII and Korea. He started at the bottom and worked his way up to lieutenant. He contracted diabetes while on a routine patrol (a several-month cruise, I've been told) and was so sick when he returned to the US he had to retire from the Navy. He died a few months later (I was 22 months old).

He was buried at Ft. Rosecrans in San Diego. We were living in the Long Beach area at the time and would make the trip to San Diego on Memorial Day to place flowers on his grave. We did this every year while I was growing up until college and careers separated the family.

At the root of this rant is the fact that these "super patriots" go flailing about with their "Support Our Troops" line and while they think it appears to others that they understand what "Memorial Day" is about... they just appear exploitative of those who served and, bluntly- stupid. -- I know what you mean.