Memorial Day!!! What it means to you.

JDseller · May 29, 2011

I have not been to any observance since I return from Vietnam. I usually go to be by myself. For many years I have been walking the woods and pastures that day. Keeping to myself. My family knows this and make a point to not come around.
This year I though I would try to go to the services at the cemetery. I drove by this morning on the way to church. The rows of flags brought back too many memories. I had to come home. I am not ready yet, maybe never.

I can"t listen to TAPS without tears coming to my eyes. I don"t mean a few little drops. Just about breaks me down. I stay away from military funerals because of this. I can imagine the looks an old man would get bawling his eyes out. I guess that I am a wimp after all. I never had any other reactions to my service, but this does me in.

Any of you have feeling this way?? I often wonder about those that prance around blowing their horn about how great the battles/glory where, did they actually see real fighting, friends/women/children killed?????

There is very little that I will talk about the actual fighting that I saw. God will have the final say about what I have done.

I wish that there was not one person that had died. Then we would not have to remember them. Many forget that freedom is paid for with the blood of men and women. Not some fancy worded paper in some museum.

THANK ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE SERVED!!!!!!!!!!!!

snoop-nc · May 29, 2011

JDseller...Well spoken comments. Yes...this holiday is primarily a "rememberence" occasion, but, I,too, join you in a heartfelt THANK YOU to those still serving and to those that have already served and are still with us.

Enjoy your walk in the woods today...and THANK YOU for your service also. You vets are truly the unsung heroes of this country and freedom loving people everywhere.

Rick

Dean · May 29, 2011

JD:

Though I was never in the military, my Mother was a WWII veteran (three years as an Army nurse in McArthur's Army in New Guinea and the Philippines) and from her I learned great respect for all of those who served.

When small, I remember my Mother and Father taking us to the local cemetary each year for the Memorial Day ceremonnes. I did not appreciate the significance of the events then but do so now and try to attend each year.

Though not a military person, my eyes tear up every year when the bugler plays taps.

Thanks for your service.

Dean

tomturkey · May 29, 2011

JD, I served, but no one ever was shooting at me, I never had to watch my comrades die. But life is very precious to me. i get very emotional also when reflecting on all that have given all,not just the individuals but the families.The point is to REMEMBER. Sounds like your doing yours on more than just Memorial Day Thanks to all who served, especially to those who did not come home. tom

reddog848 · May 29, 2011

JD, I too have too many "memories" that are still with me and probably always will be. I too have to be alone and won't, can't talk about the horrors that we went thru. What was almost as bad was the people here and the way they treated us when we came home. I have 2 purple hearts and many other medals but they don't mean a thing except when I go to VA for treatments. I miss my friends that didn't come back except in a box. Many of them saved my life and lost theirs doing it. I hate the memories of the things I did and those really hurt to think about.
I try to put it away but it won't go!!
Stay strong brother,we will have our day before God and I know in my heart He understands what we had to do! We already have been to hell and back.

Fred Burchfield E/5
4130th Combat Support Group
50th munitions Maintenance sq

RayP(MI) · May 29, 2011

I didn't serve, but several relatives did. Mostly, they didn't share much of their experiences. Guess they too wanted to keep them to themselves. We lost our last previous generation family member last month, He was in the Army in WWII. My dad was a Navy WWII vet. We also lost my nephew, a Marine Iraq vet in the last year. Guess I'm getting soft in my old age, I too, get emotional when I think of their sacrifices to provide for our freedom. RIP vets, Your service wasn't lost on me....

Cold Beer · May 29, 2011

You're not alone brother, you definitely are not alone.

Smart Arse guy · May 29, 2011

Memorial day used to be called decoration day. It was called this because it used to be the day when everyone would decorate the graves of the men that died in wars.

Memorial day to me means that 341,000 Americans died in WW2. My great uncle died on D-day, in the belly of a bomber, he was a tail gunner.

Watching General D. MacArthur read the terms of Japan's surrender aboard the USS battleship Missouri.

Watching the Nazi war crime trials that took place in Nuremberg Germany in 1946 and seeing/hearing the sentences that read loud and clear "death by hanging" for the Nazi party leaders. Justice is served in it's finality.

And of course it means that freedom is not free.

Rob in Ore · May 29, 2011

To me it means remembering those that have died while serving in our nations armed forces. I served but did not see combat. I have the greatest respect for those of you that have seen action. I feel uncomfortable when people thank me for serving. That is what Veteran"s Day is for. Memorial Day is for those that sacrificed EVERYTHING. To me the only more important day is 10 November.

Today my father and grandmother will decorate the graves of all of our ancestors. This is wrong to me. Memorial day is for fallen warriors.

I don"t mean to offend anyone but this is what it means to me.

Fred. · May 29, 2011

Thank you JD and all the others that have served and are now serving. I never was in the service but have a son that is now serving in the navy he is on his 16th year and I am very proud of him.

guido · May 29, 2011

Hello JDseller,
My wish for you is that one day, the memories will mellow out, and you will be at peace.
It is not easy to keep going, and i know you are not looking for a pat in the back.
I have not yet been at the wall. Drove by it MANY times. I have all the names i NEED to check.
Maybe someday as you say, maybe never.
Stay strong...............Guido.

Denny 5 · May 29, 2011

I am glad I am not the only one who gets choked up at military funerals. I go to see the traveling wall and start looking at the names and the tears start. Like they say "All gave some and some gave all."

Memorial Day means more to me than a exta day off work and a picnic. Semper Fi.

Pat-CT · May 29, 2011

Thanks for your service, and all others who have/are serving

DeltaRed · May 29, 2011

Thank you all for your service.I never had the priveledge of serving,soI will never know what you are all going through.Memorial Day now has new meaning with our son serving in the US Navy.

RTO915 · May 29, 2011

I was a young boy during the Vietnam War. When I said my prayers with my mom, she always made sure I added,"God bless the soldiers in Vietnam". Here's to you, JD.

willie in mn · May 29, 2011

Rob
I agree with you, this Holiday should be reserved to honor those who gave it all, who died in service or from service connected injuries.
We had Armed Forces Day a week ago, to honor those who are currently serving, and have Nov 11 to honor those who have served in the past.
By more dumb luck than good sense, I did not see combat, spent my term of service stateside.

Willie USAF 61-65

John S-B · May 29, 2011

All those people that you think about when you cry live on in your heart. That is not something to be ashamed about. Not a thing wrong with being moved to tears, shows that you have heart.

old · May 29, 2011

Just saw on the news that external_link was in Joplin today he said we as in the country would be there for the people in Joplin but why do we have people in places like Kenya Africa building stuff there when we need the guys here. My son is in Kenya building a school but why isn't he here in the U.S. helping instead of there building for who knows who and who knows why

led · May 29, 2011

Majority of Namvets have a bunker. Its your bunker, you don't have to come out nor do you have to let anyone in. You don't have to attend a function to pay your respects. I hope someday you can open your bunker maybe then you will find that you aren't fu@@ed up any more than the rest of us Namvets. Taps is difficult to explain that you feel so lonely, in the middle of 50 people.
WELCOME HOME BROTHER!!
Led

JMS/.MN · May 30, 2011

Rob and willie- total agreement here. People just don"t get it- what each day means. Maybe since fewer than 15% of us are Veterans. I"ve written resolutions at political caucuses to that effect, just to see them die when they advance to the next level, and this is in the conservative, God-loving party!. I say there are 364 other days when they can decorate Aunt Tillie"s grave, put Memorial Day back to when we show respect for the real American Idols. JMS/MN, mid 60s Demo Sgt, Army Green Beret A-Team.

nc140man · May 30, 2011

Not ashamed to say I get teary also. My father did two tours in 'nam and brother did 6 years in the Marines. Couldn't get in the service myself but sure am proud of those that did! Just returned from 3-day trip to Gettysburg with My Dad. Something He's always wanted to do. I tell You, what those men did back then was unreal. Had many a poignant moment walking that battlefield imagining what went on and how important that was to the restoration of Our country! 3 days was almost not enough! I certainly learned a lot about it respect those who fought in a lot more. Here's to all veterans and the sacrifices You made for our country!

Scott

Billy Shafer · May 30, 2011

JD you are not alone. I came home in 72 have never been to any service since then. Almost made it to the wall they have in Dallas. Got about ten feet from it and had to turn around and go home.

I can still see the kid I shot. I still see his face every day. Most likely was my age and just as scared as I was.Went to the VA for help. Lotta good that did.

I have had people call me a hero for doing what I did. Tell me it was him or me. Well I am no hero. Those are the ones that never made it home. I was just a 21 year old crappin in my pants scared kid.

I lost some very good friends over there. Guess I will meet up with them someday. But for now I will keep to my self.

Rich Iowa · May 30, 2011

Like some of the other posters, I was not able to serve, medical DQ. My father, brother, a few uncles and cousins, and most of my friends have served or are currently serving. I've been very fortunate with all of those I know, all have returned home alive and well. I don't know why, but I even get choked up at the services, thinking of all those who have given their life and never to return home to their loved ones.

I don't think my father has attended a memorial service since his return from Vietnam in '72. I know it weighs heavily on him, as it does you. I know very little about his time in. I don't ask, and will probably never know some things. My father doesn't even speak much of it to my brother who served two tours of duty in Iraq. Dad has a very hard time at military funerals as well.

Memorial Day!!! What it means to you.

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