Memorial Day
Posted by Sunshine2625@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 47 comments
It’s Memorial Day here in the US. How do you feel about it? I know as Gen X we were at the tail end of the Vietnam Era. Also went through the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq. Did you serve? Did you lose loved ones? How do you feel this Memorial Day?
0hheyitsme@reddit
I served during Desert Storm and deployed to Iraq for OIF. Part of my job was arranging the dignified transport of deceased service members. Memorial Day is a time to remember those who paid the ultimate price 🫡
Sufficient_Stop8381@reddit
I did not. My grandfather served in the army in ww2 and was in the battle of the bulge. He never talked about it. I’m watching a movie about it now. I have never ending respect for the greatest generation.
Sawyer2025@reddit
Many don't understand the difference in Armed Forces Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day.
Armed Forces Day is for those currently serving in the Military.
Veterans Day is for those who served, then went home to live a civilian life.
Memorial Day is for those who died while serving. I pay respect to those who died in service by planing flags by their graves, and I live my best life so their sacrifice was not in vein. Had I died in service, that is what I would want others to do.
Itis-caught-BearsWin@reddit
My brother in law served in gulf 1, was a navy seal. Quit after a dozen years when he was asked to do something unconstitutional. Ate a bullet awhile back. A great guy with a lot of demons.
MaximumJones@reddit
Unfortunately veterans face a 58% higher risk of suicide than the general population.
Veteran Suicide Statistics
lacunha@reddit
I’d appreciate it a lot more if we’d actually remember and learn the lessons of the past. Stop stirring up new shit that has generational repercussions.
old-cigar-smoker@reddit
Served 84-88. Fortunately didn't lose anyone to war. But it disgust me that today has become about sales and so few younger people actually know its meaning.
PuddinPacketzofLuv@reddit
Shit, my town doesn’t know its meaning. They are thanking everyone in the city council that served on FB. That’s what Veteran’s Day is for.
Memorial Day is for those that never made it home.
notevenapro@reddit
I spent 12 years in the Army. From 12/1990 to 08/2002. Probably the longest time in smack in-between two gulf wars.
My grandfather was a tank commander in Pattons 3rd Army and got the silver star.
BottleAgreeable7981@reddit
My Dad served in the Korean Conflict. I have his flag displayed in a triangle case in my dining room.
Tough_Arm_2454@reddit
Thank you for your service. 🫡
Uuuuugggggghhhhh@reddit
Here in USA, there was some people in front of a grocery store asking customers to consider purchasing items to be donated to veterans... If they were in Vietnam or previous conflicts ok, but for any after Vietnam, they choose to serve.
MaximumJones@reddit
I don't think you understand the definition of the word "veteran". 🤷♀️
MaximumJones@reddit
Any hint of violation of Rule 7 (no politics) will result in bans.
If you cannot discuss this topic without interjecting politics then scroll on by and do not discuss it.
RikkiLostMyNumber@reddit
Don't care, never did, but I especially despise it now. Just a bullshit holiday to honor the fallen who more often than not didn't fall for their country or any other good reason. Just butchery.
Stop glamorizing this shit.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
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Prepperpoints2Ponder@reddit
Easy now, don't hurt yourself on that edge, you badass.
Glass-Nectarine-3282@reddit
Oh, I think he fell over the edge.
RikkiLostMyNumber@reddit
Oh, I think you suck donkey balls.
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jmsferret@reddit
I served, but only 4 years. Various family members served in various conflicts since WWII.
Memorial Day saddens me because it's turned into a day to party and celebrate and find the sales. None of those things are a problem in and of themselves, but I feel as though the true meaning of Memorial Day has been lost.
If you see The Missing Man table somewhere today, take a moment and pause to reflect on the meaning.
Quick-Reputation9040@reddit
I served too, have lost friends to our various conflicts. Had a problem with fireworks for several years myself. I get what this weekend is supposed to be about…
That said, I would prefer it if we could swap Veterans and Memorial Days.
First, it would align our Memorial Day with our allies’ Days of Remembrance. That would be good.
Second, by placing it closer to election day, it would (hopefully) remind voters of the sacrifices some of their fellow citizens have made, and maybe make their votes a tad more civic-minded.
Third, we could make the unofficial first day of summer a bit less of a downer. Make it a day to remember our living veterans, celebrate their service, and bring our communities together to do what we do best, small town parades, going to the beach, and eating too much.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
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jmsferret@reddit
I would support this!
mfrumento@reddit
America has lost the meaning of every holiday sadly. They've capitalized everything. It's a damn shame.
oldirishfart@reddit
As a non-American I find it terribly sad to remember the immense sacrifices and loss across so many wars, but mostly sadness at our political leaders/ruling class’s willingness to use their citizens as cannon fodder for questionable benefits. And it appears we have learned nothing as a species to stop this from happening.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
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vomputer@reddit
I don’t believe in blindly thanking people “for their service.” I think it perpetuates a positive feeling towards the military that has caused death and destruction around the world. People serving in the military do horrible things.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
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3p1taph@reddit
I’m torn between sympathy and admiration on the one hand, and on the other disgust with our politics, shortsightedness and war making.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
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Careless_Bar_5920@reddit
I find it extra sad this year... all those fallen were fighting for a democracy that we're so rapidly losing...
It's also a bit sad because the town service is alot smaller than it used to be. No longer a parade. Fewer participants. Used to be full of scout troops, marching band, kids decorating their bikes with streamers.... now it's a few old vets, three scouts, and the bands sets up - no marching band, just the school band setting up in place. Community in the rural areas is really struggling.
GenX-ModTeam@reddit
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bradorme77@reddit
I never served but the US Military has been a customer of mine for 25 years and I hold a deep respect for those that dedicate even a small portion of their life in service. I have met a lot of active duty and Civilian military and by abd large they are great group of people trying to support our country and their families. There are bad apples but that is in every large organization. I celebrate their service today and try and express my gratitude.
PassorFail13@reddit
Served from 2001 to 2013. Never deployed to Iraq, but I did two tours in Afghanistan. Two friends of mine didn’t make it back. They are both buried in their hometowns, respectively. I make it to their burial sites once a year. One’s favorite beer was Stella, the other’s was Fat Tire. When I visit, I sit down and drink one with them, leaving the other at their headstone. Every Memorial Day, I drink one of each for them.
Electronic-Bake-4381@reddit
We should still honor the fallen even if we don't agree with why they were sent. Our leaders should recognize the value of those people who put their lives on the line. Only around 1% of Americans serve in the military, and they give up a lot more living the military life than most people recognize.
Bitter-Assignment464@reddit
Wether you agree with administrations or wars and conflicts remembering those who served and paid the ultimate price is the right thing to do.
SmokedLimburger@reddit
On Father’s side: wife was civilian in Army, brother was in Army, both aunts married Air Force, cousin Army and Coast Guard, uncle Marines, grandmother and grandfather Army medics, other grandfathers and great uncles in Army back 1860’s. Family members in Civil War, WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, 1st and 2nd gulf war. When our mother’s/wife’s sent us off to deployment and conflict, we (not me, I didn’t serve) were told to come home with our shield or on it. We came home with our shields, medals, PTSD, addiction, and memories of good friends killed.
RedOwl97@reddit
I didn’t serve but nearly all of my friends did. They all survived but I still run a Murph and say a prayer for the fallen every Memorial Day
LayerNo3634@reddit
Dad served in Korea. Grandfather was career military and served WWII. My grandmother was a WWII veteran. She was a nurse stationed in Germany. She had to hide her engagement to serve.
BucketOBits@reddit
I didn’t serve, but service was a big part of my life growing up. My grandfather served in the Navy in WWII, moving up the ranks to become an officer. My uncle was a Marine killed in service in Vietnam. That was before I was born, but the impact on my family was profound and long-lasting.
I admit I don’t often give Memorial Day the honor it deserves.