I thought I'd accidentally clicked on the Political Discusson forum.

One of the biggest problems with holidays, whether they be national ones or Hallmark creations, is that if we need a holiday to remember or remind us of anything or anyone, then it doesn't mean much at all.

As usual at the end of May, I read in newspapers and saw on television considerable notice about "Memorial Day sales" on everything from cars to catnip that I ever did about any events related to the reason this Day of Remembrance and Honoring exists. I guess that is "normal" in a society where a war is ongoing, but more general public concern is demonstrated over who won "American Idol" and which movie grosses the most revenue.

In the end, all of the headlines, photo ops, parades, flags-in-windows and all that occur only on Memorial Day don't hold a candle to the person who volunteers for a couple hours at a VA hospital on any Tuesday or Wednesday in any month, or will be down at a national cemetery next Thursday on clean-up, or was at the Vietnam Memorial last weekend to wash the Wall, or a thousand other unnoticed but highly appreciated actions done by people not looking for personal recognition that "they care and remember" all year long. God bless them!

I really get tired of those who will use any excuse to bash the media and this post pretty much takes the cake.

Yes, Memorial Day is tomorrow and many of us will seriously reflect on perhaps the most profound reality of our lives: thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens giving up themselves for us. It is so profound and personal that all the media reminders, parades and ceremonies can't adequately convey the depth of the concept.

Memorial Day is so special that it needs new thinking and commentary all the time, not just a greater amount of the same pictures of uniforms, gun salutes and cemetery wreaths. The media can do that powerful reflecting and reminding. How ironic then that the best essay on Memorial Day I think I've ever heard was delivered this evening by that old, liberal, curmudgeon, Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes. You can probably find it on CBS online. I haven't stopped thinking about it for two hours and it might make tomorrow my most meaningful Memorial Day. Thanks Andy.

Originally Posted by ijusluvit

I really get tired of those who will use any excuse to bash the media and this post pretty much takes the cake.

Yes, Memorial Day is tomorrow and many of us will seriously reflect on perhaps the most profound reality of our lives: thousands and thousands of our fellow citizens giving up themselves for us. It is so profound and personal that all the media reminders, parades and ceremonies can't adequately convey the depth of the concept.

Memorial Day is so special that it needs new thinking and commentary all the time, not just a greater amount of the same pictures of uniforms, gun salutes and cemetery wreaths. The media can do that powerful reflecting and reminding. How ironic then that the best essay on Memorial Day I think I've ever heard was delivered this evening by that old, liberal, curmudgeon, Andy Rooney on 60 Minutes. You can probably find it on CBS online. I haven't stopped thinking about it for two hours and it might make tomorrow my most meaningful Memorial Day. Thanks Andy.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5037316n

Truth is not necessary for bashing as the loyalists of past and present administrations attest daily!!

Truth is, it is common knowledge of the political and social standing of the networks. No secret about it...they are open about it just like Nancy Pelosi and her most memorable quote (which I paraphrase) if it for or from the opposition I am against it!!!

Not bashing just making a statement.

I will say while I am here in TN this Memorial Weekend, the local stations have been running a 10 second clip at almost every break reminding us to remember our fallen heroes.

I have a flag pole installed on the property of every home I have ever owned and fly the flag lighted 24/7...honor thr protectors of our freedoms every single day!!!

BTK

CNN just aired a moving tribute which included a piece from Arlington Cemetery Section 60. This section has a large number of burials from both Iraq and Afghanistan. They interviewed 2 wives with husbands buried in this section and showed a Army general visiting his troops interred in the section.

I was moved to tears with the last story of a group of young marines visting a fallen buddy...they opened bottles of beer and toasted their friend.

I was very moved when I watched the Memorial Day celebration on PBS (called National Memorial Day Concert) last night that was held on the White House Lawn or near it. It was hosted by Gary Sinese (CSI, NYC), Joe Magntagna (Criminal Minds), Katherine McPhee(American Idol), Katie Holmes, Colin Powell and many more well-known individuals who are big supporters of the military. Just looking at some of the injured vets made me feel very sad and at the same time, happy to see the love and support of their families. They have such a tough road to climb. The vets who were there with head and facial injuries made me feel like crying. I remember as a teenager visiting the Naval Hospital in Phila with my friend. They had a social night every so often for the injured vets. There were so many young men their with arms and legs missing and paraplegics who laid on their stomach on a table bearly lifting their heads from the tables. I also remember visiting my brother who lost his legs in the Vietnam War at a hospital for a full year while he recovered. All vets need our support, whether it's saying "Thank You for your service" or donating to various charities like Disabled American Veterans or Operation Shoebox. There are so many out there. Or just remembering to put out a flag in the front of your house just to let all know vets know that we appreciate your service to our country.