I second that sentiment.

I third the sentiment. We should remember that while it's OK to fire up the grill, put on the new bathing suits, look forward to a long weekend and to enjoy the sales that go on during this weekend; we must not forget that Memorial day is more than a day off, it's a day to honro those who gave their lives so we could have this day, and others like it, off, so we could fire up those grills, so we could wear those new bathing suits and so we could look forward to longer weekends with pay.

To all those who died for my freedoms and those who survivded and still do, I salute you.

Thanks fellas

BFD, thank you for this article and I want to thank you for your service in the military.

I, er, fourth (rw?) the sentiment. Thank you all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9yRzoOB1C4

 Thanks America!

If you can't say anything nice.....

Anyways, thank you to all who have served in the military and a special thank you to all who made that their last actions.

As usual, I am at a loss to understand this kind of response.  The thread is a salute to fallen brothers-in-arms who have died in the service of their country.  It was not a political piece, could have been but I chose to keep it simple.  It was not a pump piece about how great the military is, could have been but I chose not to.  It wasn't designed to make a statement on the conduct of the war, could have been but I have made myself clear enough on that subject in the past.  It was simply a salute to the young men and women (and their famililes) who have earned the Purple Heart Posthumously.  So please explain, if you can, what was the purpose of your response?  Or don't.  Or ESAD.

Thanks, all, for the response.

It's simple.

While there are certainly troops who fight with dignity and honour, there are also troops who are inhumane and sadistic, and I tire of mindless worship of the military.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lEMasOiG_s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSnHudm5Cmk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUg-bdE7M70

Compare those to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJRthpxDM10

I will honour all your dead when they all honour the living. I harbor no ill will for troops in general, but scum like this means I no longer respect them in general either. That is up to the individual to earn or lose respect, or simply be acknowledged as another person doing a job.

Edit: In other words, no, not all troops deserve honourable memory extended to them.

Second edit: Also because seeing people react angrily at people who simply show their own troops conduct is hilarious.

Seeing people who can't simply take Memorial Day as a day to honor those who have died for our freedom is sad and disgusting.  But you know what, those men and women would be the first to defend your freedom to be as big of an Asshat as you see fit so more power to you.

I spent a lot of years marching in Memorial Day parades either as a Girl Scout or in the marching band.  Kids would always complain about getting up early, being too hot or how far we had to walk.  I always took it as a reminder of the extremely hellish things that those men and women endured for my right to live the cushy life I live.  I think having a grandpa who fought in WWII in the South Pacific and having a dad who was in the Army during Vietnam made it very personal for me.

I've missed my grandpa every day for the last 14yrs.  He was like a second father to me.  I got to know a lot of WWII vets by helping at the VFW hall that my grandpa was very involved in.  Those guys taught me how to peel potatoes and were living reminders of the price of freedom (some were missing arms and legs but all were scarred by experiences).

No matter how you slice it, being a soldier is not just a job.  There is nothing that can compare.  I am eternally grateful to anyone who is willing and able to put their lives on the line for mine.

Mmm yes everyone who comments on American soldiers conduct must be an American *smokes a pipe sagely*

Are you seriously not clueing in to the fact that I just said a soldier who conducts himself honourably is fine; that it's the scum-sucking beasts who mock others suffering, or support "enhanced interrogation" techniques I'm angry with?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUkj9pjx3H0

Not all who serve are heroes; not all who are heroes serve.

No, but this is an article about an American holiday to honor our fallen soldiers both past and present.  A large part of the world owes a lot to our fighting men and women.  We have family who just visited Normandy.  They say people there haven't forgotten.  When I visited Germany it sure seemed they hadn't forgotten.  Americans shouldn't ever forget either.

Are you seriously not clueiing in to the fact that the guy who wrote this served, has family currently serving and that is what this article is about?  You need not point out that there are those who don't conduct themselves in an honorable fashion.  Are you saying that we shouldn't honor those who have made the ultimate sacrafice? 

You have the right to not put your hand over your heart in the presence of our flag (few do anymore and that's a shame) and stay home during memorial day.  You have the right to write your own article about how not all soldiers deserve to be honored and if your point is that we shouldn't observe Memorial Day, go ahead and write about that.  But you could show some respect to those like the author of this article....but you have the right not to....obviously.

i'm with you bfd!

i am thinking about all the people who have put it all down for us. i look at my babies and can't believe how lucky i am to have what i have. thanks to all the vets and to all the kids who didn't make it home. and to all of their families for helping to keep mine safe and FREE!

we'll never be perfect, but i love our country, and always will. and i'll be proud as hell if any of my children choose to join the military, or any form of public service.

...Why would I put my hand over my heart in the presence of your flag?

And yes, I am saying you shouldn't apply a blanket honour to anyone who happens to die during military service. You know nothing of their conduct or motives. Honour decent people, sure. But don't worry, I'm sure those iraqi kids did some amazing terrorist attacks when I wasn't looking.

To segregate opinions and wrap yourself in the comfort of the like-minded breeds cognitive dissonance and creates the atmosphere of an echo chamber, ultimately leading to stagnation of self.