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What is this Memorial Day?
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It is a national holiday on which we remember those who died for our country.  People also use it to memorialize family and friends who have died.  

On the lighter side, it is the start of summer. 8)

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What is this Memorial Day?
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As Dagwood said its a national holiday to remember those military (fathers, sons, brothers and as of recent, mothers daughters sisters) who have fought and died protecting our freedom. It was started in the late 1800s to remember those who fell during our Civil war, and it was named Decoration day. It was called this to remind those to decorate the graves of thier fallen brethern. Hence why the president places a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier every year at this time. It has now evolved to remember those Americans who fought in all wars. (1776-present day)

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I agree with CAT - is that a surprise? - that one way to honor our vets, my dad included, is to defend the Constitution the fought to defend.  End Quote

This I agree with.

Quoting:Another way, suggested in my local newspaper, is to barage the white house with letters and e-mails opposing the cuts in vet benefits.  I, for one, am willing to forgo the miniscule tax cut I'll get from Mr. Bush's budget especially if that $$$ is used to restore and enhance VA benefits for vets and their families.  That would be what I call "supporting our troops" - and how about a pay raise for the lower ranks, privates, corporals, and sargents?  I say that if we want to honor our troops, we will demand that the FED put OUR money where our mouths are.  Sorry for the rant.
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As for this, please see Wicked Lester's post in the "Little Boy Lost thread regarding your poorly placed political rants.

DC, there's a time and place to be political, and politics was definitely not my motivation for starting this thread.  

In fact, before I started this thread, I was actually thinking to myself how I seriously hoped nobody would use this thread as a shameless political rant on their behalf.  >:(

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DC, there's a time and place to be political, and politics was definitely not my motivation for starting this thread.  

In fact, before I started this thread, I was actually thinking to myself how I seriously hoped nobody would use this thread as a shameless political rant on their behalf.  >:(



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Dear 80's, and glad to see you back and that you're getting things together - sincerely glad - I'll paraprase what I said to Lester.  Everything is ultimately political - having to do with power.  I support our vets - we fly red, white and blue ribbons from our poarch and display the flag in the front window.  All of that is personal.  We also need to focus on the political, the FACT that vet's benefits are being cut when they should be enhanced, the FACT that many service people rely on food stamps to feed their families.  If Memorial Day is about anything, I think it should be about treating our vets and those currently serving as they should be treated.  I'm not a vet.  I declined (legally) Lyndon's invitation for a trip to the tropics in '68.  I honor, respect, and want to support them and their families.  If raising that issue is "political" so be it, it needs to be raised, and I make no excuses.  I also mean no offense.

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It is a national holiday on which we remember those who died for our country.  People also use it to memorialize family and friends who have died.  

On the lighter side, it is the start of summer. 8)
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So this holiday must only be in the US of A?

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So this holiday must only be in the US of A?
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Yes it is, Fred.

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In Britain we have Remembrance Sunday which is the nearest Sunday to 11th November.  It isn't a national holiday but wreaths are laid at the war memorials in cities, towns and villages across Britain.  There is a big parade through London by veterans and serving forces and the Queen, Prime Minister etc lay wreaths of poppies.

Many people also observe a minutes silence at 11 a.m. on the 11th itself.  This time is the time of the signing of the Armistice agreement to end the First World War.
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Like karen stated, in Canada we have Rememberance day as well.

On November 11, it's a national holiday.

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Like karen stated, in Canada we have Rememberance day as well.

On November 11, it's a national holiday.
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Seems that you guys have a holiday that coincides with the American "Veterans' Day" :)

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Seems that you guys have a holiday that coincides with the American "Veterans' Day" :)
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That's right....

While Memorial Day is used to honor veterans who have died ( and other people in our lives who have passed away), November 11th is Veteran's Day.

Veteran's Day is when we honor veterans who are still alive.