Memorial Day (1 Viewer)

[rustycolts]

I would like to honor all my brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and I. RIP and God bless.

 

[HellToupee]

Well said Rusty 

 

[ekbeats]

Amen brother.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

I used to work with Israelis, and it made me realize how odd it was that we Americans treat Memorial Day and Independence Day as basically the same thing: a chance to enjoy a long weekend, have a BBQ, maybe go to a parade, and feel vaguely patriotic. In Israel the two equivalent days happen in succession and could not be viewed more differently. Independence Day is similar to July 4, a big party. But their Memorial Day is an incredibly somber event in which both soldiers KIA as well as victims of terrorist attacks are remembered. I think a lot of the seriousness stems from the fact that so many people have direct experience with losing someone close to them.

Also, every year on Memorial Day I am reminded of one of the most amazing pieces of journalism I have ever read, Chris Jones' "The Things That Carried Him". It's super long, but just an absolutely incredible story -- told in reverse chronological order -- about the journey home of a soldier killed in Iraq.

 

[The Commish]

It's a very somber holiday for our family.  It's disgusting to me what it's become and don't even get me started on the disrespect our flag gets which is an unfathomable irony.  You can't make that #### up.

 

[rustycolts]

It's a very somber holiday for our family.  It's disgusting to me what it's become and don't even get me started on the disrespect our flag gets which is an unfathomable irony.  You can't make that #### up.

Ours also no BBQ no party no drinking . We go to the VFWs event with our friend who was a Sgt Major that served 3 tours in Nam. We pay our respects. Then I go home and watch Taking Chance and cry through the whole movie.

 

[rustycolts]

I used to work with Israelis, and it made me realize how odd it was that we Americans treat Memorial Day and Independence Day as basically the same thing: a chance to enjoy a long weekend, have a BBQ, maybe go to a parade, and feel vaguely patriotic. In Israel the two equivalent days happen in succession and could not be viewed more differently. Independence Day is similar to July 4, a big party. But their Memorial Day is an incredibly somber event in which both soldiers KIA as well as victims of terrorist attacks are remembered. I think a lot of the seriousness stems from the fact that so many people have direct experience with losing someone close to them.

Also, every year on Memorial Day I am reminded of one of the most amazing pieces of journalism I have ever read, Chris Jones' "The Things That Carried Him". It's super long, but just an absolutely incredible story -- told in reverse chronological order -- about the journey home of a soldier killed in Iraq.

Dang really wanted to read that behind pay wall though.  I'll see if I can find it somewhere else.

 

[ignatiusjreilly]

Dang really wanted to read that behind pay wall though.  I'll see if I can find it somewhere else.

Really? It works for me, and I don't have an Esquire subscription. Try opening it in an incognito browser.

If all else fails, DM me your email address and I'll figure out a way to send it to you.

 

[rustycolts]

Really? It works for me, and I don't have an Esquire subscription. Try opening it in an incognito browser.

If all else fails, DM me your email address and I'll figure out a way to send it to you.

Found a  version that I was able to download.  Thanks buddy.