Excellent video, @Sheldon Scott ! It seems like America has lost most of the meaning for our holidays. Not just Memorial Day, but even Independance Day......... all of them are mostly just considered holidays from work, and time for summer picnics and BBQs and drinking parties. I remember when I was growing up that the most important thing was taking the trip up to the cemeteries where family and friends were buried, and leaving flowers on the graves. Graves of soldiers had little flags on them. Yes, we also had that family picnic; but we didn't lose sight of the actual meanings of holidays back then. This is actually one of the main reason we shop at Lowes, and avoid Home Depot unless absolutely necessary. Lowes honors veterans every day of the year, and anyone with the VA card gets a discount on everything they buy at Lowes. Home Depot, on the other hand, only gives discounts on special days like Memorial Day, Independance Day, and Veterans Day, and even then, I think that they are selective in who is qualified for the discounts.
My wife sent me a very nice Memorial Day card on my iPhone. It really got me "teary-eyed". Memorial Day Weekend is for fun AND to remember those Service personnel who gave their lives for our Country. We have our three small U.S. Flags out and read to display on Monday in front of our apartment.
"Angel Flight" is the call sign for a USAF C-130, carrying a fallen hero on board. Their "salute" with flares looks like an angel with wings
What I've come to figure out is that those who don't actually celebrate Memorial Day or Veteran's Day don't have a relative or friend who has/is serving. When I was single (divorced), even though I am a Veteran, I didn't celebrate Memorial Day or Veteran's Day like some do. Memorial Day was a day off of work for me and I just horsed around doing whatever. I had to work every Veteran's Day and even in the evening, I didn't do anything. My wife was the same way before I met her. Today, since we've married, it is different. We do relax on Memorial Day because it is so hot and humid here, but do put out our small U.S. flags. On Veteran's Day we go to dinner at Golden Corral. But, for those that don't know any former or active military people, I understand why they just have the BBQ or hit the water in their boat.
I don't have anyone in the military either in the US anyway. I have a flag and a flag holder attached to the house that my ex bought, he was military but since he left I don't bother with the hassle of putting the flag out. It's a hassle because I'd have to drag the ladder out.
Hey, Seniors... Let us know your Branch and Dates of Service, if you will. I served in the US Army from 1960 to 1966, Active and Reserve. Served a year in the 8th Army Communications Center in Seoul, S. Korea,1961-62. No shooting during my Overseas tour, but we had a couple of Armed Alerts... Harold Pollner, Sp/4, US 56332718 DISMISSED!