Memorial Day

Well for Heaven's sake! THe VF*n*W has finally noticed that John Edwards is still an asshole! I guess The Commander-In-Chief decided he could take time from the most pressing issue facing the VFW right now- making all Posts non-smoking- to address this. From the VFW website:

Edwards' Call to Protest Dishonors Memorial Day
WASHINGTON, May 17, 2007--A website plea by presidential candidate John Edwards to encourage war protests at Memorial Day events across the country has drawn the anger of the national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.

"Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to remember the service and sacrifice of more than one million American servicemen and women who gave their lives to create our nation, to save our Union, and to help free the world from tyranny," said Gary Kurpius, who leads the 2.4 million-member VFW, the nation’s oldest major veterans’ organization and its largest organization of combat veterans.

"Memorial Day is not a time to call people to protest the war in Iraq under the guise of supporting the troops," he said. "To do so dishonors those who served, those who continue to serve, and to the families who grieve."

The candidate’s message is a link from his main website to another site that lists 10 things people can do over the Memorial Day weekend to support the troops while calling for an end to the war.

"My generation went to war with a divided country and Congress, and our nation does not need to relive that experience ever again," said Kurpius, a Vietnam veteran from Anchorage, Alaska.

"Calling for protests for political gain is not how you support the troops. You support them by ensuring they are fully trained, equipped and funded, and you ensure they and their families are taken care of every step of the way," he explained.

"To support the troops is to support what it is they do," he said, adding that U.S. troops in harms way believe the new diplomatic, economic and military strategy has a chance of succeeding.

"And if they have faith, then we, as Americans, must have faith and patience, too."

Also:

Has this special day of remembrance been lost on the American people?

It’s a sacred day to all war veterans: None need to be reminded of the reason that Memorial Day must be commemorated. But what about the general public, and more important, future generations? Do most non-veterans really recognize the importance of the day honoring their fellow Americans killed in war?

Judging from what Memorial Day has become—simply another day off from work—the answer is a resounding no. Perhaps a reminder is due then. And it is the duty of each and every veteran to relay the message.

Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime.

Far too often, the nation as a whole takes for granted the freedoms all Americans enjoy. Those freedoms were paid for with the lives of others few of us actually knew. That’s why they are all collectively remembered on one special day.

This should be regarded as a civic obligation. For this is a national debt that can only be truly repaid by individual Americans. By honoring the nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice in the memories of future generations.

They came from all walks of life and regions of the country. But they all had one thing in common—love of and loyalty to country. This bond cemented ties between them in times of trials, allowing a diverse lot of Americans to achieve monumental ends.

We remember the loss of loved ones, a sense of loss that takes group form. In essence, America is commemorating those who made the greatest sacrifice possible—giving one’s own life on behalf of others.

Means of paying tribute vary. Pausing for a few moments of personal silence is available to everyone.

Attending commemorative ceremonies is the most visible way of demonstrating remembrance: Placing flags at gravesites, marching in parades, sponsoring patriotic programs, dedicating memorials and wearing Buddy Poppies are examples.

Whether done individually or collectively, it is the thought that counts. Personal as well as public acts of remembering are the ideal. Public displays of patriotism are essential if the notion of remembering war dead is to be instilled in youth.

As America’s older war veterans fast disappear from society’s landscape, there are fewer and fewer standard-bearers left to carry the torch of remembrance. Such traditions will live on only if there is a vibrant movement to which that torch can be passed.

Now, more than in recent years, the enduring relevance of Memorial Day should be clearly evident. With two wars under way, the public has no excuse not to remember.

This much is owed to the more than 3,600 Americans who have died thus far in Afghanistan and Iraq.



So...what are you doing for Memorial Day? I know we are having a parade and memorial service at one of the cemeteries. Every year, our Post makes an avenue of flags at the three cemeteries in Rochelle. Hundreds and hundreds of American flags. It is so impressive. We are having a meeting tonight, and I think I will ask the ladies if they would care to have "We Support Our Troops And Their Mission" signs on the trailer we will be riding on.