"War Letters" by Andrew Carroll (2002) is excellent. The companion 2011 American Experience film (about 52 mins) is still available to stream free. http://video.pbs.org/video/1954369780/
Memorial Day is to honor the fallen. As an active duty officer, I can tell you that we don't need the thanks today, we need to reserve this day for those who never got a chance to come home. The fact that we're still above ground and got to come home to our families is thanks enough. Those who didn't get that chance should get all the thanks, praise, and honor today.
Spartan,
I am reminded of that every time I see a license plate with a star or a heart on it. I'm thrilled they got to go to dmv and wave that 214 around instead of a small box going to the NoK.
Wow...kind of stunned to see some of the direction this thread took. You might not agree with how our miliary is used (and I say this as one who grew up in a military family, have a son who is in training to be an AF fighter pilot and myself work overseas in direct support of our servicemembers), but the day was intended to be one to stop and reflect on those that died in service to country. Period. No other politicing is required. While I sometimes get upset at the cavalier nature of our general public on this day (most don't even stop to think about what the day is truly about), I suspect that most service members that died giving their last measure would prefer that we went about our lives and the greatest honor we can give them for their sacrifice is to live free...if that involves a steak and cold beer, then I'm fairly sure most departed soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines/coasties are up in Heaven hoisting one right alongside. Remember those that left their homes and never returned.
Derek
Thank you for posting this.
I may not always agree with your reviews or point of view but this shows that you are a class act.
Let us never forget those who have put themselves in harms way for the USA.
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"War Letters" by Andrew Carroll (2002) is excellent. The companion 2011 American Experience film (about 52 mins) is still available to stream free. http://video.pbs.org/video/1954369780/
Memorial Day is to honor the fallen. As an active duty officer, I can tell you that we don't need the thanks today, we need to reserve this day for those who never got a chance to come home. The fact that we're still above ground and got to come home to our families is thanks enough. Those who didn't get that chance should get all the thanks, praise, and honor today.
Wow...kind of stunned to see some of the direction this thread took. You might not agree with how our miliary is used (and I say this as one who grew up in a military family, have a son who is in training to be an AF fighter pilot and myself work overseas in direct support of our servicemembers), but the day was intended to be one to stop and reflect on those that died in service to country. Period. No other politicing is required. While I sometimes get upset at the cavalier nature of our general public on this day (most don't even stop to think about what the day is truly about), I suspect that most service members that died giving their last measure would prefer that we went about our lives and the greatest honor we can give them for their sacrifice is to live free...if that involves a steak and cold beer, then I'm fairly sure most departed soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines/coasties are up in Heaven hoisting one right alongside. Remember those that left their homes and never returned.
Derek Thank you for posting this. I may not always agree with your reviews or point of view but this shows that you are a class act. Let us never forget those who have put themselves in harms way for the USA.