So what IS an appropriate way to celebrate Memorial day

[zoegirltx]

i was actually in a tiny town last week with a huge "memorial" area in their park, honoring soldiers from each of their wars.  I felt a big awkward running through it & started really thinking about what was the purpose of it?  To remind me they died?  To make me stop & be thankful?  How would those who had died in our wars want us to remember them & what would they think would honor them?

This ties nicely into Memorial day & I think we can take a few moments for pause or reflection.

I guess to me, this means really continuing the defend and fight for the things these soldiers thought they were dying for- defending our freedom & defending our constitution.  Not in the rah-rah, quasi-BS social media way.  But challenging our government on things that are continually infringing on our constitutions (Hello NSA!), ensuring more people can & are voting to participate in our democracy, fighting and advocating for the "American Dream" where we are all treated equally under the law & have a chance to advance ourselves.

And most importantly, that we aren't engaged in any more needless, pointless wars where we rush off to send our soldiers off to die for things that really aren't central to our ideals or at least defending our county (instead of defending capitalism).

Just rambling at this point, but I think we can have a good conversation about this.

[zoegirltx]

Andplusalso advocating for reforms and changes in the VA hat would really do more to serve our soldiers, including more mental health services.

[flgirl]

Since my father passed away due to a service related injury 4 years ago, Memorial Day is a crappy day. My family has had so many men who have lived with the physical and emotional scars of war. We really have never celebrated the day. We will go out to the National Cemetery later. We will then go to the beach with the kids so they can play. I go because it the last time I spent any time with my dad was on that beach.

I saw an article the other day from a current military perspective. He suggested going to a service at a National Cemetery or donating money to a wounded warrior organization or something like that. I don't know what the right answer is. The "celebrating" annoys me.

[tres3]

According to my HOA FB page... doing cross-fit workout is one way to pay tribute....

[ringstrue]

Buying mulch at Lowes. Seriously I think it's less crowded at the mall on Christmas Eve.

[ringstrue]

Oh and parades that are 90% fire engines.

[Deleted]

Memorial Day is not supposed to be a day of celebration. It's a day to mourn those that gave their lives for our country. It's supposed to be a somber day. Visit a veteran's cemetery or memorial and bring flowers or a flag. Fly the flag at half mast. Teach your kids about the real meaning of the holiday.

[karinothing]

My friend who is a veteran and who lost many friends in Iraq says it shouldn't be about guilt or somberness it is about celebrating the lives of those that were lost. He said that the friends he lost wouldn't want us to sit around and be somber. They would want to be with their families sharing a meal and a laugh, so he spends memorial day doing what his friends would want to be doing.

[Aquatica]

I don't think there's a specific way to celebrate Memorial Day, it's up to you on what you feel is appropriate. In my childhood, my family would spend the weekend together. Being married to someone who is active duty, I find my views have changed on Memorial Day. It's a very emotional day since one of my greatest fears is my S/O not making it back alive from deployment. So, I spend every moment of the weekend with my S/O, making memories we can both cherish.