Memorial Day

[Allrule]

The only military member in my family(I think) is my paternal grandfather, and he's still alive. Does that make me a bad person?

[Ryadn]

I remember my grandfather's service to his country at only 19 (he turned 86 in December) and what he went through, things no one should ever have to do or see, to protect all of us.

[Hahklallah]

I remember uncle Adolf who sacrificed so many to recreate Germany...
Just Kidding

[Cameroi]

a lot of poor suckers all over the world, down through history, have been suckered by their kings, presidents, governments and nations, into making bloody hamburger out of each other.

its not their fault. not of the poor bastards sent to do it, but of all of us, who's blind habits and emotional attachments, created markets for the business of mutual slaughter.

we should not be romanticizing their delusions,
but apologizing to their ghosts for having inflicted these upon them.

[Risottia]

I remember all of the civilians murdered by people wearing uniforms.

I remember all the people wearing uniforms murdered by 'civilians' with bombs strapped to their chest.

They wouldn't have died if they didn't invade in the first place. :3

The soldiers don't have a choice in most cases, you idiot. Besides draft, if you joined reserves, you're at risk for being sent into another country and being forced to kill who ever may be dangerous. If you want to blame someone, blame the government.

I blame those who WILLINGLY enlisted for reserves or professional service, also.
I also blame those draftees who WILLINGLY chose to obey illegal orders, like firing on civilians.

[Christmahanikwanzikah]

I remember that my cousin is still in Southern Afghanistan.

[Derscon]

The only military member in my family(I think) is my paternal grandfather, and he's still alive. Does that make me a bad person?

Yes, and so is your grandfather. He is clearly selfish for not giving everything, including his life, to the glorious state.

[Imsogone]

For all of you who hate war, hate the military, hate the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, etc.

Intelligent people hate war. We don't want to be involved in it. We don't want to participate however peripherally. But, sometimes (all too often) it happens - whether we want it or not, whether we agree with it or not - it happens. Some people participate directly - whether involuntarily (through the draft or just through being in the wrong place at the wrong time - like those children in Somalia), some feel, again whether you agree or not, that it is their duty to serve. War, being what it is, is not kind to these people and their friends and family. Live or die, you come out of it changed. Your families come out of it changed. Mothers and fathers lose children, sometimes even when those children live, they're still lost. Wives and husbands lose spouses, again, sometimes even when those spouses are still alive.

You may hate this war, most of us do. You may hate the military people who serve in this war, most of us don't. You may want to take advantange of this thread to spew your hatred and vitriol against those people, that's your right. But for every tiny, miniscule, vicious point you think you score against the war and the people caught up in it, you're really only showing how petty and small minded you are, We're not here to glorify war, we're here to recognize and, in some cases, mourn the people lost in any and all wars. You want to make this about your nasty, vitriolic attacks, I want to make it about respect for people who've died while trying to live for what they believe in,

I can't stop you from spitting baseless hatred at people, but I can tell you that I think your lack of compassion and your inability to see (you don't have to agree, just try to understand) any point of view but your own, makes you poor posers of humanity.

[Katganistan]

I remember the veterans of past and present conflicts, some of whom have given life, limb or mental health.
I'm also grateful for an extra day to grade.

[Christmahanikwanzikah]

If I had to go to class today, I'd probably end up keeping awake for the rest of the week doing homework.

I'm thankful that I don't have to.

[Magna Omega]

I remember...

My grandfather (mother's side) who served as a B-17 bomber radio op.
My grandfather (father's side) who served in the U.S. army at the battle of the Bulge - 2 bronze stars.
My uncle who landed at Omaha beach on the 6th of June, 1944. He eventually liberated a Nazi death camp.
My other uncle (whom I've never met) who served as a gunner aboard a helicopter in Vietnam.

^ All of them survived combat.

I continue to remember the valiant servicemen, everywhere, who have perished so that my freedom might live. Thanks to all those who serve and bless you all.

[Derscon]

*snip*

I believe Euro asked us not to use this thread for such discussion.

[Imsogone]

*snip*

I believe Euro asked us not to use this thread for such discussion.

And why didn't you bring this up to Risottia?

For the record, it wasn't a discussion, it was a reminder of why I started the thread in the first place and what I think of those people without empathy who wanted to turn the thread into a battleground for their particular bias in the first place.

[Greed and Death]

I remember the veterans of past and present conflicts, some of whom have given life, limb or mental health.
I'm also grateful for an extra day to grade.

Yes we fought and died so that the teachers of America may grade papers in a timely manner.

[Liuzzo]

Great Great Grandpa fought in WW1. Grandpa fought in WW2, Uncle Jack fought in Korea, Chris and Jonnie who never made it back from Vietnam. Uncle Jimmy who survived the bombing in Beirut because he wanted to get to work early. He then died during peace time in 1999 in the Pacific. Uncle Pete in the Storm 91, Myself and all the great men and women who risked their lives back in Iraq just over 10 years later. None of those men were drafted and they were all proud to serve this country.

[Ausgebombt]

Today I honor my ancestors, and those who have died from war in any country, be they civillian or soldier.

I hope one day I can be honored just as they are.

[Abruzi]

I remember so many in my family who have fallen in almost every american conflict since the Revolution. (We lucked out and didn't lose anyone in Korea). I think about all of the great men and women I know today who are serving and I silently hope that when I don the Red and Gold of the USMC I'm worthy of the memory of so many great people.

So (despite me being an Atheist): Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard,and National Guard ,God Bless.

Semper Fidelis. (any Marines who happen to be wasting time on NationStates.)

[Intersystems Alliance]

I remember my grandfather, who served in the US navy during WWII.

This song is perfect for this day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WDrbbtaO0E

[Cameroi]

one does not have to hate the poor bastards who get conned into 'taking the king's coin',
in order to recognize the illogic of loving war.

indeed it is only the spectators, who's homes are not being burned and looted who do.

war is not a noble enterprise.

even the most menial of peaceful labors is more honorable.

we do need a memorial day though, to remind ourselves,
that it is we who send them into battle, and that it is up to us, to stop doing so.

[Coyostan]

one does not have to hate the poor bastards who get conned into 'taking the king's coin',
in order to recognize the illogic of loving war.

indeed it is only the spectators, who's homes are not being burned and looted who do.

war is not a noble enterprise.

even the most menial of peaceful labors is more honorable.

we do need a memorial day though, to remind ourselves,
that it is we who send them into battle, and that it is up to us, to stop doing so.

Quoted for the truth. My grandfather was taken, not as a direct result of combat, but because of the tobbacco he turned to during his time in Vietnam and Korea. I miss him everyday of my life.
Soldiers are not evil. War is evil. This day is meant to remember and thank those who participate in that evil so we may be spared greater evil.

[Wonderchicken]

My paternal grandfather was in the Dutch Border Guard at the age of 14 because his older brother was unable to serve. He immigrated to the United States in the 1920s, and shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor was accused of being German by someone who evidently didn't know the difference between Dutch and Deutsch. He spent Christmas 1941 in jail. Grandpa passed away in 1994.

My dad joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and was stationed in Korea. He was also in the Utah National Guard 116th Engineers.

[Derscon]

*snip*

I believe Euro asked us not to use this thread for such discussion.

And why didn't you bring this up to Risottia?

For the record, it wasn't a discussion, it was a reminder of why I started the thread in the first place and what I think of those people without empathy who wanted to turn the thread into a battleground for their particular bias in the first place.

Because your posts are at least indirect responses to mine. Furthermore, I missed his <_<

[Chrobalta]

I remember how the aristocrats in Washington are using my fellow citizens as pawns in there game of chess to expand the American Empire.

[Buffett and Colbert]

I usually forget about Memorial Day...

[Allrule]

I remember how the aristocrats in Washington are using my fellow citizens as pawns in there game of chess to expand the American Empire.

Thinkpol reporting crimethink seventeen hundred fifteen hours proceeding minilovely.