Thank you. I'm a Gold Star Mother who will gather with my family to watch a parade. Ut's too painful to listen to taps at the cemetery. I would like to point out that on Thursday, Governor Whitmer of Michigan hosted a Gold Star Family Luncheon to honor the fallen, so there are elected official who care about our losses.
I am sorry for your loss and want to say thank you to your son or daughter for his/her service to our country. I understand about taps. I cry every time I hear them. I'm a Michigander, too. God Bless
If you believe as we do that MAGA fails without FOX;
Eviscerate FOX. Deny them ad $ by denying the ad buying company CEO and execs bonuses. For example Home Depot. Boycott them for a full fiscal quarter. Get all on line influencers to post every day for the entire time. See how fast CEO’s stop buying ads - do only ONE brand - do it implacably for an entire quarter. See how quickly you become the new sheriff in town and how fast other CEO’s quit buying ads. See how fast FOX changes content. All they care about is $. Oh - and next generation FOX CEO will be a decent human being if you do this.
Details matter. Talk to me. See Target and Tesla for examples.
I would definitely do that, but I have no idea who advertises on Fox News; I have never watched it 🤷🏻♀️ For me, Home Depot has always been a “last resort”, probably because I dislike the entire Walton holdings, after being caught up in their data breaches, and poor service.
The point is to make a new sheriff in town and strategically change the media conversation. So by picking a retailer that’s vulnerable to what mass action can do is more effective than taking on the biggest retailer in the world. HD is vulnerable for a number of reasons, including the availability of alternate suppliers nearby and perhaps labor unrest and legal challenges. It’s nearly impossible to make a boycott stick when the effort is spread out, and it’s easy to give it up when you win the behavior you are boycotting to get. That’s why the tactics are terribly important-it has to work, work in big national ways and be coordinated with the greatest influencers in America. That coordination provides immediate massive impact unlike anything seen before in America. It’s key.
You are correct ! I grew up in a union household, in a closed shop state, my father was very proud of his 50 year union pin. Growing up, words like boycott, sympathy strike, and picket line duty were all too common. Boycotts can work, public opinion works. Competition is so fierce now for the ever shrinking discretionary funds of consumers that we, the consumer, have more power than we realize. We need to seize it. I have always felt that the trade imbalance with China shouldn’t need/have a policy solution. It is simple; if people don’t buy it, the stores won’t stock it. If corporations don’t want stock piles of unsold goods, then they won’t order any more. Yeah, I may have to pay more, but I can sleep at night knowing my neighbor has a job with health insurance; if it costs more than I can/am willing to pay, I do without. Yeah, it is hard, but not as hard as no job, no benefits, seeing your child struggle without the health care they need while, at the same time, huge conglomerates are passing out million dollar bonuses to executives. I will bet that every person reading this can look around their home and see some piece of foreign-made goods that they could live without, or wish they hadn’t bought, or asked, “why isn’t this made here anymore”.
2. Recruit ----------------- Any non-voter that you know and convince him or her why they should be protesting and voting.
3. Boycott ---------------- Companies of CEO's & Exec. Officers who attended the Inauguration: Tesla, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon/Amazon Prime, Apple Computer/Apple TV, TikTok, Google and others https://www.goodsuniteus.com/
4. Call/E-mail/Message -------------- all Republican Senators & Congressman and remind them how poorly their leader is polling and that they will never get another vote from you as long as this nonsense continues.
Thank you for your continued service, John. My family knew Vietnam vets who did not return. YOU are one of the many brave who have helped us maintain "land of the free." NOW, it's the time for the rest of us to step up and do whatever we can to help maintain that freedom in our own land.
My father fought in the Philippines in WW2. He was a farm boy and he was brilliant. He was the valedictorian of his high school class. The first pair of year-round shoes he ever had were the government issued boots he got in the army. He came back from that war so hurt that he was dangerous for my sister and I to be alone with. He seldom talked with me and when he did he was very sensitive.
When I got into junior high I finally found that he would talk to me about his experiences in the Philippines. He had stories, sad and hilarious about the war. His unit was training for amphibious landings on the islands of Japan. He and his fellow soldiers knew the estimates concerning their chances of survival in those landings. One night the word spread among the men in his unit that the first atomic weapon had been dropped and that there was hope of surviving the war. That seems to have been the start of a long process of "softening" in my dad. With time he actually responded when I would tell him that I loved him. He never liked me but I finally knew that he loved me.
Once he told me, "We're running out of veterans running for office. I don't know how a person would represent other Americans if they don't have the sense of shared responsibility that we did in war." I can see what he was talking about now.
He was hurt and moody. He never did anything that most people would think was of any value with his education. He worked hard to provide for us even though I was an ungrateful kid. He was always that barefoot little farm boy all his life. But he was honest, humble and willing to work hard to make his church, his family; his job, and his country to work for everybody; not just those of his "station" in life. He knew service. He never showed the sneering contempt that MAGA folk display. He was a "True hero" rather than a "Showbiz macho man."
I am crying now as I type this. I have never felt safe in this country since he passed away. Even though I'm an old man and my elected representatives won't listen to me I try each day to serve, not dominate those around me.
Forgive me for ranting so long. I miss the safety and stability of the world those people made for us then.
This is beautiful and yes your father was correct. Those that have served DO know better how to "help" fellow citizens! My father served state side (he had rheumatic heart problems that kept him out of "active" service but was at a desk job and got through his obligatory service and was released honorably) my cousin did 3 tours of duty in Vietnam in the Air Force (Dad was as well) and my uncle Dave Served in the Air Force as well. But cousin Tom and his 3 tours was the most any of my relatives served. "Old Bone Spurs" has NO idea what is going on in our country OR the world in general and it's truly a shame because none of the people he has appointed does either.
Totally agree Charles you are correct. We live near a place called Boalsburg that touts themselves and the Birthplace of Memorial Day and they DO honor the dead that are in the cemetery in town central!
Like your dad, after surviving Iwo Jima, my dad was in training of the invasion of Japan when he heard about the atomic bomb. Believing that he wouldn't be so lucky the next time, he was grateful for it and many of our generation only exist because of it. His older brother didn't make it, going down with his sub on the other side of the Bonin Islands. Their generation saw it all but remained hopeful and forward looking. Their passing I believe is why we are where we are right now. We need to match their greatness. We need to match it now.
My father was one of those veterans who never spoke about his experience. The other day, I was in an ice cream line where an old Vet was talking to young people standing before him in the line, telling them all about his experiences. God bless them, as they listened patiently to a stranger they had never met before. Vets have all kinds of needs. It is OUR duty to take care of those who took care of us!
When I was a kid Memorial Day was filled with wonderful things for us. Yes, it was tantamount to our official start of summer. The Memorial Pool opened for the season, there was a parade in town, picnics were planned, bikes were decorated with red, white and blue streamers and EVERYONE went to see the parade. On the parade route the American Legion and assorted soldiers from WW I & II and Korea marched too. I believe it was they who fired off the 21 gun salute at the Town Flag post...which happened to fly between two cemeteries. My mother would always cry when the guns went off and they had their usual Memorial service there. I knew she'd lost friends in WW II and I never asked her to explain anything about those tears. As I got older I knew why she cried and I knew what others had lost and why they cried too. There was another salute to the fallen soldiers when they arrived at the town "Honor Roll" which listed the names of the fallen soldiers. The rest was a bit of fluff and wonderful but THIS was the real reason for Memorial Day. To remember who we'd lost and what they died for. Today more than ever, we need to reflect upon those sacrifices. If we continue on the current track, Trump will try to convince us that it wasn't worth it. Don't forget...he likes people who weren't caught and made to suffer in P.O.W. camps. Remember John McCain.
Thank you ❣️My town sounds like yours, we too had a Honor Roll, and the parade would stop, and there was silence as every name was called out. I remember one dad of our scouts saying, that was what he came to the parade for - to see how many in the parade passed out in the heart while those names were read. There were no big barbecues, though, school was never out until at least week later. It was solemn. It was about remembering. It was about “some day” when names would quit being added.
Yes, it was solemn…but not for the children. I think I’d mentioned we’d have two “21 Gun Salutes” in our parade since there were two official American flags in town…one in between the two cemeteries (Protestant & Catholic) and one at our Village Hall near the Honor Roll. The adults were 100% solemn but like all parents they cried as prayers were offered since they all had a family member who died or was injured during WW II but really…what did the kids know? They knew to shine up their bikes and that the Memorial Pool opened on that day. It was really more of a picnic day than bar-be-ques but it was a wonderful start to better weather and being outdoors more.
Well said. My father was an immigrant who served in WWII and Korea. He believed whole heartedly in our freedoms. I thought when the Vietnam War started (I was a teenager) he would be against the demonstrations. He was not. He said the freedom to express an opinion is what he fought for and what a great country this is.
Thank you Adam! I will reflect on the friend you lost and others this Memorial Day and continue my father’s legacy to fight for decency and our freedoms.
Thank you for your post today Adam and for your service!!!My father was in the military during the 60s and told me what he did during that time.He was in the Air Force and wasn’t told what they were loading into the planes ✈️.He has been having health problems now that he’s in his 80s and has been going to the VA in Canandaigua New York.They told him last year that he was probably in contact with Agent Orange during his time in the Air Force.I am very glad that he is going to the VA and getting the care he needs!!! I am very concerned about what will happen to the VA because of what TRUMPIE and Musk have been doing to Government Agencies-how dare they make things harder for our veterans and those serving in the military!!!!!God Bless America 🇺🇸 and those who served and still serve to protect our country!!!!!!!❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙
My father who survived WW2 lost many of his brothers in arms...fighting Rommel in the Desert Wars of Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia.
He served in the British Army and had met many kind and loving people in all of these regions...who were fighting for their freedom also.
He would turn in his grave today if he knew what atrocities were taking place in Gaza right now. He always believed that Palestine should have been retained and honoured as an Independent and Free State from Israel.
He would be proud to salute the veterans of the USA on your Memorial Day...just as much as he would be proud to salute our veterans on our Remembrance Day.
We are all connected in this way as Allies...let's forge on together as we have in the past...as our Veterans fought for this Unity of Nations and Our Combined Freedom!
Thank you Adam. I’m also thinking of all of the men and women who have experienced war and grieve what that has done for them physically and mentally. This is personal for me. One of my sons joined the Marines right out of high school in 2000. He was in Iraq through the first part . As an artillery sergeant, both in the war and in training, he experienced repeated shocks to his brain… and is being evaluated for traumatic brain injury these 25 years later. He joined the Marines to serve his country like his grandfather ( an army ranger) did in World War II, as well as for the discipline and camaraderie. He didn’t die but continues to pay the price. And this at a time that this administration is reducing support to Veterans.
Disturbing to contemplate, Susan.Your son is a hero!.Do so hope & pray he will receive ALL the care he so richly deserves. God Bless you and your dear family this Memorial.Day.🙏🇺🇸
Today a day of reflection -- tomorrow the day to continue the fight against those that put themselves and their bank accounts above what past generations fought to preserve -- thanks for your leadership Coach K.
I don’t think I could watch the National Commemoration, not this year; physically, mentality, I couldn’t handle performance art by a blowhard while we are desperately trying to claw back the democracy they died for. When mainstream media has to soft-pedal, or completely ignore, events that trigger an overaged toddler - we no longer have free speech, when legislators are threatened by a CO-EQUAL branch of government for trying to represent the citizens’ needs, we are no longer in a democracy. This is an oligarchy, with the rich paying whatever it takes to get what they want, or doing whatever they need to maintain their highflying businesses. This is “Simon says”, only it is not a game, this is our lives, our future. This is a day for prayers, for girding ourselves, to fight with the heart of Those we Honor.
This morning my ‘egg lady’ came by with 2 dozen. She apologized for not making it yesterday as she’d been at the VA with her husband all day. No apologies necessary, I told her. How is he? Better, now he finally has the right meds. How is it there at the VA? They do a really good job, but are short staffed. All the receptionists (who keep things running smoothy) have been let go. An xray tech was manning the desk…but they do a really good job….
Now I scramble beautiful nutritious eggs from her ‘girls’ through my tears. Tears for all the fallen and maimed. Tears of rage for the felon who calls them losers; who is the biggest loser of all…having lost his humanity. Thank you, including my brother, all you brothers in arms. You who know there is something greater than yourselves. Be well, remember, & enjoy the life you have.
Remembering my (distant) cousin who was killed upon his arrival in Vietnam. I was young when it happened but I know it changed his family forever. He was so young.
They were drafting people starting at the age of 18. If you could afford to go to college you received a exemption. To this day that really pisses me off and I'm going on 74. Vietnam Vet!
Thank you for your service. I watched the National Memorial Day concert on PBS hosted by Gary Sinese. Always a tearjerker. They focused on Vietnam Vets this year. They mentioned that the best thing you can do to honor them is retell their stories. Here's mine: I remember my cousin Michael who was like an older brother to me. He left college to join the army and serve in Nam because he didn't think it was right that some got to get out of serving by going to college. I would write letters to him while he was there. Sadly in one battle, he was injured from a landmine. I wrote a letter to him ending it with- There is always a silver lining and drew a picture of that as an elementary kid would do. His mom told me he loved that letter. He died 2 weeks later in the hospital overseas. His name is on the wall in DC. I have visited and got a rubbing of his name. I still miss him.
Thanks for sharing your story. When I think about 58,220 men and woman that died in Vietnam I think of a football stadium that holds 58,220 fans that's sold out. It's a reality check! Now add in the wounded 153,303 and the effects on families and friends. Suicides. And all for what?
John, I often think about the invisible as well as visible, conditions of those who returned. I think about a neighbor that I didn't know very well, but when I met him, he appeared to have some underlying mental issues. He came down one day and knocked on my door and asked could he show me his album? I invited him in because I knew he needed someone to just listen to him. He opened this up to show me his pictures of beheadings and other atrocities that he witnessed and was part of in Nam. I felt helpless but listened. His wife came down to find him at my house; she kept profusely apologizing. I told her I was okay and that journalists during that war helped expose the American people to the horrors of war (I remember as a kid seeing the pictures on the front cover of our 2 local papers!). John, thank you for your suggestion of how we can help others politically through activism. How can I best help someone personally, should I find myself in the same situation again?
John, a decade ago I read an article in a respected magazine that soon after the War in the Pacific ended, Ho Chi Minh (whom I believe had spent some time in France) approached Americans in Vietnam and asked for our support in urging France to end their colonial rule. We denied that request, so HO appealed to Russia. I wonder if our blind condemnation of all repressed people who felt that some Marxist teachings were not all bad. We have made a fetish of condemning Marx, even though he stated that Soviet rule was far from what he prescribed. How many thousands of Americans and millions of other folks have died from such rigidity?
That was not right! It always seems to come down to money. I'm sorry for what you went through. 18 year olds can't even buy alcohol in NY but they were put in the most dangerous circumstances.I'm glad you survived. Please know you have the respect and gratitude of many.
John, I'm sure that makes you mad. We had high school teachers who apparently chose the profession to avoid Nam. My older sister dated guys that suddenly joined the priesthood and then left suddenly when the draft ended. Then there is one other who got doctor's notes for bone spurs; I don't know that for sure. But I know he had a grandfather who left Bavaria to escape the mandatory draft, came to THIS country temporarily to make money, and then he returned to Bavaria after the draft was over, only to be stripped of his citizenship for draft-dodging. He came back to the U.S. and now we deal with his grandson. I guess that bad apple did not fall far from the tree.
Moving ceremony broadcast by PBS last night - on Capitol steps.
I wrote on Trump’s facebook page that we should honor our guy’s requests for Afghans who fought the Taliban with us to remain, not let Miller send them back to certain death. Find some honor given the “peace” ending Trump engineered.
To all gold star families - thank you beyond words. I will mot give up fighting to retain our freedoms.
My dad was one of the lucky ones to come home with only partial hearing loss. He was so proud of his service to our country and though a staunch Republican up until he passed, I know he’d be horrified to see what republicans are doing to destroy what he fought for.
I understand when you say "lucky" because in comparison to others, his physical condition was lesser and he made it home. I am grateful for his service.
This is reason 3274 (according to my count) about why Agent Orange never should have been returned to the White House. Top of the list, of course, is his comments about John McCain as well as those honored in Arlington.
Thank you. I'm a Gold Star Mother who will gather with my family to watch a parade. Ut's too painful to listen to taps at the cemetery. I would like to point out that on Thursday, Governor Whitmer of Michigan hosted a Gold Star Family Luncheon to honor the fallen, so there are elected official who care about our losses.
My heart goes out to you. I will honor the memory of what your son or daughter gave to this country and carry that with me to do and be better.
Thank you. My son's name was Mat. I'm sure you do your best to remember and serve our country in your own way
Honoring Mat today. Thank you for sharing his name.
Honoring your son Mat as well! My grandparents were Gold Star parents. My prayers are with you!
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Thank you Mat. It is completely inadequate to the sacrifice you made but I am sincerely grateful.
Mine too
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s good to hear your governor cares. Please take care of yourself & know many people care.
Thankyou
🪖 June 6th Veteran March On D.C. https://www.fiftyfifty.one/veterans 🇺🇸
Special prayers to all fallen soldiers and their families. Thank you for your sacrifices and theirs.
Thank you
I am sorry for your loss and want to say thank you to your son or daughter for his/her service to our country. I understand about taps. I cry every time I hear them. I'm a Michigander, too. God Bless
Thank you
If you believe as we do that MAGA fails without FOX;
Eviscerate FOX. Deny them ad $ by denying the ad buying company CEO and execs bonuses. For example Home Depot. Boycott them for a full fiscal quarter. Get all on line influencers to post every day for the entire time. See how fast CEO’s stop buying ads - do only ONE brand - do it implacably for an entire quarter. See how quickly you become the new sheriff in town and how fast other CEO’s quit buying ads. See how fast FOX changes content. All they care about is $. Oh - and next generation FOX CEO will be a decent human being if you do this.
Details matter. Talk to me. See Target and Tesla for examples.
I would definitely do that, but I have no idea who advertises on Fox News; I have never watched it 🤷🏻♀️ For me, Home Depot has always been a “last resort”, probably because I dislike the entire Walton holdings, after being caught up in their data breaches, and poor service.
The point is to make a new sheriff in town and strategically change the media conversation. So by picking a retailer that’s vulnerable to what mass action can do is more effective than taking on the biggest retailer in the world. HD is vulnerable for a number of reasons, including the availability of alternate suppliers nearby and perhaps labor unrest and legal challenges. It’s nearly impossible to make a boycott stick when the effort is spread out, and it’s easy to give it up when you win the behavior you are boycotting to get. That’s why the tactics are terribly important-it has to work, work in big national ways and be coordinated with the greatest influencers in America. That coordination provides immediate massive impact unlike anything seen before in America. It’s key.
You are correct ! I grew up in a union household, in a closed shop state, my father was very proud of his 50 year union pin. Growing up, words like boycott, sympathy strike, and picket line duty were all too common. Boycotts can work, public opinion works. Competition is so fierce now for the ever shrinking discretionary funds of consumers that we, the consumer, have more power than we realize. We need to seize it. I have always felt that the trade imbalance with China shouldn’t need/have a policy solution. It is simple; if people don’t buy it, the stores won’t stock it. If corporations don’t want stock piles of unsold goods, then they won’t order any more. Yeah, I may have to pay more, but I can sleep at night knowing my neighbor has a job with health insurance; if it costs more than I can/am willing to pay, I do without. Yeah, it is hard, but not as hard as no job, no benefits, seeing your child struggle without the health care they need while, at the same time, huge conglomerates are passing out million dollar bonuses to executives. I will bet that every person reading this can look around their home and see some piece of foreign-made goods that they could live without, or wish they hadn’t bought, or asked, “why isn’t this made here anymore”.
Susan you are awesome and thanks!!!
A little info about "Home Depot" https://www.goodsuniteus.com/brands/#/brand/home-depot
Actions we can take to stop this tyrant from destroying everything this country has worked for in the last 250 years. Fight On!!! 💪
Emotions Meter: Jan.😲, Feb.😡,Mar.😠,Apr.😤May🖕June 🪖💪
1. Protest-------------🪖 June 6th Veteran March On D.C. https://www.fiftyfifty.one/veterans ----------------------------June 14th No Kings https://www.nokings.org/? 💪
2. Recruit ----------------- Any non-voter that you know and convince him or her why they should be protesting and voting.
3. Boycott ---------------- Companies of CEO's & Exec. Officers who attended the Inauguration: Tesla, X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon/Amazon Prime, Apple Computer/Apple TV, TikTok, Google and others https://www.goodsuniteus.com/
4. Call/E-mail/Message -------------- all Republican Senators & Congressman and remind them how poorly their leader is polling and that they will never get another vote from you as long as this nonsense continues.
5. Donate ---------------- If you can afford it donate to the organizations that are doing the legal fights. https://www.aclu.org/ - https://democracyforward.org/ - https://www.citizen.org/ - https://www.citizensforethics.org/ These groups are suing the Trump administration virtually every day.
6. Join -------------------- https://www.country1st.com/ - https://indivisible.org/ - https://www.commoncause.org/ - https://pol-rev.com/
7. Attend -----------------Town Hall meetings
8. Tesla Takedown ------- https://www.teslatakedown.com/
9. I hope we never have to get to this option because it's the worst option of all, which I won't mention here. "Freedom Isn't Free" Vietnam Veteran
Thank you for your continued service, John. My family knew Vietnam vets who did not return. YOU are one of the many brave who have helped us maintain "land of the free." NOW, it's the time for the rest of us to step up and do whatever we can to help maintain that freedom in our own land.
Thanks for your kind words.
We need to recruit the non-voters because this is the ticket to victory over the tyrants. Fight On!
I quit buying from Home Despot decades ago. Local shops or Lowe's for me.
Local is a better choice then Lowe's https://www.goodsuniteus.com/brands/#/brand/lowes
My father fought in the Philippines in WW2. He was a farm boy and he was brilliant. He was the valedictorian of his high school class. The first pair of year-round shoes he ever had were the government issued boots he got in the army. He came back from that war so hurt that he was dangerous for my sister and I to be alone with. He seldom talked with me and when he did he was very sensitive.
When I got into junior high I finally found that he would talk to me about his experiences in the Philippines. He had stories, sad and hilarious about the war. His unit was training for amphibious landings on the islands of Japan. He and his fellow soldiers knew the estimates concerning their chances of survival in those landings. One night the word spread among the men in his unit that the first atomic weapon had been dropped and that there was hope of surviving the war. That seems to have been the start of a long process of "softening" in my dad. With time he actually responded when I would tell him that I loved him. He never liked me but I finally knew that he loved me.
Once he told me, "We're running out of veterans running for office. I don't know how a person would represent other Americans if they don't have the sense of shared responsibility that we did in war." I can see what he was talking about now.
He was hurt and moody. He never did anything that most people would think was of any value with his education. He worked hard to provide for us even though I was an ungrateful kid. He was always that barefoot little farm boy all his life. But he was honest, humble and willing to work hard to make his church, his family; his job, and his country to work for everybody; not just those of his "station" in life. He knew service. He never showed the sneering contempt that MAGA folk display. He was a "True hero" rather than a "Showbiz macho man."
I am crying now as I type this. I have never felt safe in this country since he passed away. Even though I'm an old man and my elected representatives won't listen to me I try each day to serve, not dominate those around me.
Forgive me for ranting so long. I miss the safety and stability of the world those people made for us then.
To those who served, thank you.
This is beautiful and yes your father was correct. Those that have served DO know better how to "help" fellow citizens! My father served state side (he had rheumatic heart problems that kept him out of "active" service but was at a desk job and got through his obligatory service and was released honorably) my cousin did 3 tours of duty in Vietnam in the Air Force (Dad was as well) and my uncle Dave Served in the Air Force as well. But cousin Tom and his 3 tours was the most any of my relatives served. "Old Bone Spurs" has NO idea what is going on in our country OR the world in general and it's truly a shame because none of the people he has appointed does either.
Let's enjoy the memories of good, humble men and women. Thank you for your kindness.
Totally agree Charles you are correct. We live near a place called Boalsburg that touts themselves and the Birthplace of Memorial Day and they DO honor the dead that are in the cemetery in town central!
Like your dad, after surviving Iwo Jima, my dad was in training of the invasion of Japan when he heard about the atomic bomb. Believing that he wouldn't be so lucky the next time, he was grateful for it and many of our generation only exist because of it. His older brother didn't make it, going down with his sub on the other side of the Bonin Islands. Their generation saw it all but remained hopeful and forward looking. Their passing I believe is why we are where we are right now. We need to match their greatness. We need to match it now.
Yes, beautifully written- WE NEED TO MATCH THEIR GREATNESS NOW! We CANNOT let them down!
My father was one of those veterans who never spoke about his experience. The other day, I was in an ice cream line where an old Vet was talking to young people standing before him in the line, telling them all about his experiences. God bless them, as they listened patiently to a stranger they had never met before. Vets have all kinds of needs. It is OUR duty to take care of those who took care of us!
A daunting task. But I have to remember that they didn't know if they could handle their times either. We can do this.
Happy Memorial Day Adam. Thank You for your service! 💙🇺🇸✊🏽
When I was a kid Memorial Day was filled with wonderful things for us. Yes, it was tantamount to our official start of summer. The Memorial Pool opened for the season, there was a parade in town, picnics were planned, bikes were decorated with red, white and blue streamers and EVERYONE went to see the parade. On the parade route the American Legion and assorted soldiers from WW I & II and Korea marched too. I believe it was they who fired off the 21 gun salute at the Town Flag post...which happened to fly between two cemeteries. My mother would always cry when the guns went off and they had their usual Memorial service there. I knew she'd lost friends in WW II and I never asked her to explain anything about those tears. As I got older I knew why she cried and I knew what others had lost and why they cried too. There was another salute to the fallen soldiers when they arrived at the town "Honor Roll" which listed the names of the fallen soldiers. The rest was a bit of fluff and wonderful but THIS was the real reason for Memorial Day. To remember who we'd lost and what they died for. Today more than ever, we need to reflect upon those sacrifices. If we continue on the current track, Trump will try to convince us that it wasn't worth it. Don't forget...he likes people who weren't caught and made to suffer in P.O.W. camps. Remember John McCain.
Thank you ❣️My town sounds like yours, we too had a Honor Roll, and the parade would stop, and there was silence as every name was called out. I remember one dad of our scouts saying, that was what he came to the parade for - to see how many in the parade passed out in the heart while those names were read. There were no big barbecues, though, school was never out until at least week later. It was solemn. It was about remembering. It was about “some day” when names would quit being added.
Yes, it was solemn…but not for the children. I think I’d mentioned we’d have two “21 Gun Salutes” in our parade since there were two official American flags in town…one in between the two cemeteries (Protestant & Catholic) and one at our Village Hall near the Honor Roll. The adults were 100% solemn but like all parents they cried as prayers were offered since they all had a family member who died or was injured during WW II but really…what did the kids know? They knew to shine up their bikes and that the Memorial Pool opened on that day. It was really more of a picnic day than bar-be-ques but it was a wonderful start to better weather and being outdoors more.
Well said. My father was an immigrant who served in WWII and Korea. He believed whole heartedly in our freedoms. I thought when the Vietnam War started (I was a teenager) he would be against the demonstrations. He was not. He said the freedom to express an opinion is what he fought for and what a great country this is.
Thank you Adam! I will reflect on the friend you lost and others this Memorial Day and continue my father’s legacy to fight for decency and our freedoms.
Wow, a truly open-minded and generous inspiration. Thanks for sharing, Susan.
Thank you
Thank you for your post today Adam and for your service!!!My father was in the military during the 60s and told me what he did during that time.He was in the Air Force and wasn’t told what they were loading into the planes ✈️.He has been having health problems now that he’s in his 80s and has been going to the VA in Canandaigua New York.They told him last year that he was probably in contact with Agent Orange during his time in the Air Force.I am very glad that he is going to the VA and getting the care he needs!!! I am very concerned about what will happen to the VA because of what TRUMPIE and Musk have been doing to Government Agencies-how dare they make things harder for our veterans and those serving in the military!!!!!God Bless America 🇺🇸 and those who served and still serve to protect our country!!!!!!!❤️🤍💙❤️🤍💙
My wife and her family are from Brighton NY.
My father who survived WW2 lost many of his brothers in arms...fighting Rommel in the Desert Wars of Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia.
He served in the British Army and had met many kind and loving people in all of these regions...who were fighting for their freedom also.
He would turn in his grave today if he knew what atrocities were taking place in Gaza right now. He always believed that Palestine should have been retained and honoured as an Independent and Free State from Israel.
He would be proud to salute the veterans of the USA on your Memorial Day...just as much as he would be proud to salute our veterans on our Remembrance Day.
We are all connected in this way as Allies...let's forge on together as we have in the past...as our Veterans fought for this Unity of Nations and Our Combined Freedom!
Thank you Adam. I’m also thinking of all of the men and women who have experienced war and grieve what that has done for them physically and mentally. This is personal for me. One of my sons joined the Marines right out of high school in 2000. He was in Iraq through the first part . As an artillery sergeant, both in the war and in training, he experienced repeated shocks to his brain… and is being evaluated for traumatic brain injury these 25 years later. He joined the Marines to serve his country like his grandfather ( an army ranger) did in World War II, as well as for the discipline and camaraderie. He didn’t die but continues to pay the price. And this at a time that this administration is reducing support to Veterans.
Disturbing to contemplate, Susan.Your son is a hero!.Do so hope & pray he will receive ALL the care he so richly deserves. God Bless you and your dear family this Memorial.Day.🙏🇺🇸
Today a day of reflection -- tomorrow the day to continue the fight against those that put themselves and their bank accounts above what past generations fought to preserve -- thanks for your leadership Coach K.
I don’t think I could watch the National Commemoration, not this year; physically, mentality, I couldn’t handle performance art by a blowhard while we are desperately trying to claw back the democracy they died for. When mainstream media has to soft-pedal, or completely ignore, events that trigger an overaged toddler - we no longer have free speech, when legislators are threatened by a CO-EQUAL branch of government for trying to represent the citizens’ needs, we are no longer in a democracy. This is an oligarchy, with the rich paying whatever it takes to get what they want, or doing whatever they need to maintain their highflying businesses. This is “Simon says”, only it is not a game, this is our lives, our future. This is a day for prayers, for girding ourselves, to fight with the heart of Those we Honor.
This morning my ‘egg lady’ came by with 2 dozen. She apologized for not making it yesterday as she’d been at the VA with her husband all day. No apologies necessary, I told her. How is he? Better, now he finally has the right meds. How is it there at the VA? They do a really good job, but are short staffed. All the receptionists (who keep things running smoothy) have been let go. An xray tech was manning the desk…but they do a really good job….
Now I scramble beautiful nutritious eggs from her ‘girls’ through my tears. Tears for all the fallen and maimed. Tears of rage for the felon who calls them losers; who is the biggest loser of all…having lost his humanity. Thank you, including my brother, all you brothers in arms. You who know there is something greater than yourselves. Be well, remember, & enjoy the life you have.
beautifully written....thank you for sharing your story!
Lovely and heartfelt
Remembering my (distant) cousin who was killed upon his arrival in Vietnam. I was young when it happened but I know it changed his family forever. He was so young.
They were drafting people starting at the age of 18. If you could afford to go to college you received a exemption. To this day that really pisses me off and I'm going on 74. Vietnam Vet!
Thank you for your service. I watched the National Memorial Day concert on PBS hosted by Gary Sinese. Always a tearjerker. They focused on Vietnam Vets this year. They mentioned that the best thing you can do to honor them is retell their stories. Here's mine: I remember my cousin Michael who was like an older brother to me. He left college to join the army and serve in Nam because he didn't think it was right that some got to get out of serving by going to college. I would write letters to him while he was there. Sadly in one battle, he was injured from a landmine. I wrote a letter to him ending it with- There is always a silver lining and drew a picture of that as an elementary kid would do. His mom told me he loved that letter. He died 2 weeks later in the hospital overseas. His name is on the wall in DC. I have visited and got a rubbing of his name. I still miss him.
Thanks for sharing your story. When I think about 58,220 men and woman that died in Vietnam I think of a football stadium that holds 58,220 fans that's sold out. It's a reality check! Now add in the wounded 153,303 and the effects on families and friends. Suicides. And all for what?
John, I often think about the invisible as well as visible, conditions of those who returned. I think about a neighbor that I didn't know very well, but when I met him, he appeared to have some underlying mental issues. He came down one day and knocked on my door and asked could he show me his album? I invited him in because I knew he needed someone to just listen to him. He opened this up to show me his pictures of beheadings and other atrocities that he witnessed and was part of in Nam. I felt helpless but listened. His wife came down to find him at my house; she kept profusely apologizing. I told her I was okay and that journalists during that war helped expose the American people to the horrors of war (I remember as a kid seeing the pictures on the front cover of our 2 local papers!). John, thank you for your suggestion of how we can help others politically through activism. How can I best help someone personally, should I find myself in the same situation again?
John, a decade ago I read an article in a respected magazine that soon after the War in the Pacific ended, Ho Chi Minh (whom I believe had spent some time in France) approached Americans in Vietnam and asked for our support in urging France to end their colonial rule. We denied that request, so HO appealed to Russia. I wonder if our blind condemnation of all repressed people who felt that some Marxist teachings were not all bad. We have made a fetish of condemning Marx, even though he stated that Soviet rule was far from what he prescribed. How many thousands of Americans and millions of other folks have died from such rigidity?
Your love and innocence gave him strength and helped him.
That was not right! It always seems to come down to money. I'm sorry for what you went through. 18 year olds can't even buy alcohol in NY but they were put in the most dangerous circumstances.I'm glad you survived. Please know you have the respect and gratitude of many.
Well and truly said, Susan !👏
John, I'm sure that makes you mad. We had high school teachers who apparently chose the profession to avoid Nam. My older sister dated guys that suddenly joined the priesthood and then left suddenly when the draft ended. Then there is one other who got doctor's notes for bone spurs; I don't know that for sure. But I know he had a grandfather who left Bavaria to escape the mandatory draft, came to THIS country temporarily to make money, and then he returned to Bavaria after the draft was over, only to be stripped of his citizenship for draft-dodging. He came back to the U.S. and now we deal with his grandson. I guess that bad apple did not fall far from the tree.
Hear you loud and clear , John! ...!!
Moving ceremony broadcast by PBS last night - on Capitol steps.
I wrote on Trump’s facebook page that we should honor our guy’s requests for Afghans who fought the Taliban with us to remain, not let Miller send them back to certain death. Find some honor given the “peace” ending Trump engineered.
To all gold star families - thank you beyond words. I will mot give up fighting to retain our freedoms.
My dad was one of the lucky ones to come home with only partial hearing loss. He was so proud of his service to our country and though a staunch Republican up until he passed, I know he’d be horrified to see what republicans are doing to destroy what he fought for.
I understand when you say "lucky" because in comparison to others, his physical condition was lesser and he made it home. I am grateful for his service.
This is reason 3274 (according to my count) about why Agent Orange never should have been returned to the White House. Top of the list, of course, is his comments about John McCain as well as those honored in Arlington.