Topic: Today is Memorial Day in the states. THANK YOU!!!

[ohcheap1]

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Still my personal hero. My Grandpa.

[smokester]

Traditionally, what does one do on Memorial Day?

[ohcheap1]

Spend the day with family, parades, cook outs, talk about our relatives that fought for our freedom. Its a great day to teach your kids some of their family history. The proud family that they are part of and how we got to where we are. Alot of people visit the graves of fallen military family members and family members in general. Few emotional hours and then celebrate the fact that we, their family, are carrying on in their names AND PARTY!!

[smokester]

Spend the day with family, parades, cook outs, talk about our relatives that fought for our freedom. Its a great day to teach your kids some of their family history. The proud family that they are part of and how we got to where we are. Alot of people visit the graves of fallen military family members and family members in general. Few emotional hours and then celebrate the fact that we, their family, are carrying on in their names AND PARTY!!

That sounds right for the course in my opinion.  Here, Remembrance Sunday is a very solemn and sombre affair.  I'm not saying that's particularly wrong, it just not something you could look forward to.

Happy Memorial Day!

[mishca09]

most of the men in my family have served in the army or navy. we used to visit my grand dads grave on memorial day, we havent done that in a long time. we don't really do anything most holidays these days. thanks  for OhC for the post made me think of old memorial day memories.

[6pairsofshoes]

My great uncle was killed landing on the beaches during the Normandy invasion in WW2.  My great grandmother never really got over his death.  She had a photo of him as he was, in his uniform, looking handsome and youthful.  I remember that they buried her with that photo.  It was profoundly sad.  I never got to know him as he died many years before I was born.

[ohcheap1]

The people that we are remembering are the people that made our lives what they are today. They paved the way for our successes and their humanity is what helps us pursue the closeness of our families. I dont understand how that could be a solemn thing but to each his own. My family chooses to celebrate the lifes of those who paved the way for us.

[smokester]

I think it's on account of people dying.

[brickbatz]

My dad was in the navy and died off the shore of France. My stepfather was in the army and carried Nazi shrapnel to his grave.

[6pairsofshoes]

I'm sorry about your Dad, brickbatz.

[bubu]

Me too. Happy Memorial Day to everybody!

[ohcheap1]

I think it's on account of people dying.

Its perception. Of course death is always sad but some like to focus on the positive.

[brickbatz]

I'm sorry about your Dad, brickbatz.

Thanks, Memorial Day can be sad. I'm glad I gave up alcohol, I'd be shitfaced by now.

[Beatrix]

mm, No shitface for Bea yesterday.  Spent my day with the kids. 
I like to thank people on Memorial Day.  Thank you. 
Good idea ohcheap.

[SACPOP]

While many in my family have served in the military, I only know of one person receiving injuries during battle. My grand-uncle was shot in the head fighting for the Kaiser in WWI, but somehow managed to survive and live a full life as a house painter in Frankfurt.

[bubu]

So you have some German origin. I would like to know for the Americans here and non native which are their origin. Should I start a thread?

[smokester]

So you have some German origin. I would like to know for the Americans here and non native which are their origin. Should I start a thread?

I'd need a page to list all my ancestry.

[dweez]

I'm not really sure of any of my background but if I believe what my grandma said, I have about 8 different ethnic sources.  As far back as I know, we've been in the U.S.

[xtopave]

2 of my grandparents were from Friuli, 1 from Piemonte and the other one was Andalusian.