That “Two Americas” crap again
TSO sends us a link from USAToday by Gannet columnist Chuck Raasch which declares that “There are two Americas on Memorial Day“. It’s the same old crap that pops up every Memorial Day – a smaller portion of the population which has actually served in the military since we dumped the draft, so most Americans don’t appreciate the sacrifice of our troops.
OK, lets’ use this blog’s audience as an example; all of you who have never served in the military raise your hand. See, look around at the hands…there are more of them than us on a military-oriented blog. So why are they here? Because they don’t understand, but they want to understand. About 8,000 people visit TAH every day, according to my server, many from other countries, but mostly Americans. Very few (about 8%) come from military or government networks, the rest are private citizens who want to learn about the military. That’s why there are milblogs.
This I found most disturbing in Rasssch’s piece;
The greatest scene in Saving Private Ryan is that moment when the aging soldier becomes emotionally overwhelmed in the cemetery above the Normandy beach, and his family gives him space before comforting him. The scene captured both the old veteran’s grief at the sacrifice of comrades and the awe and separation of the unknowing. Connecting those two worlds ought to be the goal of everyone on Memorial Day.
Yeah, that’s one of my favorite scenes ever to come out of Hollywood;
You can see that the family holds back, not out of being the “unknowing”, but because they understood all too well, the deeply personal moment. Who among us would have interfered with that moment?
yes, there are people who will spend this weekend, barbecuing and shopping instead of at Memorial Day celebrations…but what American fighting person would deny them that choice? I mean, that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? And it says more about the individuals than it does about our country.
Yes, I wish that every American would drop down on their knees in front of a soldier’s grave and tell that soldier how they hope that they have “earned what you all have done for me”. But that will never happen, nor do I expect it to happen. Neither should Raasch, who somehow thinks he’s better than most of the country because he writes for us about our buddy Jake Diliberto who will spend all day at Arlington with his bible praying for a solution to the war in Afghanistan that is against our national interests.
I wonder what Raasch was doing the Memorial Day weekend when I attended EVERY event in Washington all weekend. I’m sure he didn’t go shopping and barbecue with his family. In fact, I wonder if that’s what he’s doing right now, because he thinks that his article somehow bought him some measure of absolution.
Category: Media, Support the troops
According to the National WWII Museum: “Eighty percent of all Americans confess to having “little” or “some” knowledge of the holiday. Just 20 percent claim to be “very familiar” with the day’s purpose, which is to honor those who have died while fighting the nation’s wars.”
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/media/press-releases/national-wwii-museum-poll.html
The methodology looks a little screwed up to me. They simply asked 1000 people whether they thought they understood the purpose of Memorial Day. It seems to me that they should have polled people to find out whether or not they actually understood that Memorial Day is a day to recognize the sacrifice of those who died serving our country.
Yeah, wanting people to drop down at the grave of a fallen warrior to hope whether they’ve done enough to earn their lives and countries is asking a little much. But I don’t think it is asking too much for them to realize the day is about fallen service members.
I certainly don’t wish to have a bunch of random civilians praying by gravesites of fallen soldiers. They aren’t going to care enough to do so anyway.
But when I hear “Happy Memorial Day” from a random stranger, I get annoyed.
So why are they here? Because they don’t understand, but they want to understand. About 8,000 people visit TAH every day, according to my server, many from other countries, but mostly Americans. Very few (about 8%) come from military or government networks, the rest are private citizens who want to learn about the military. That’s why there are milblogs. ========== Yep, that’s why I started reading milblogs back in 2004-2005 timeframe. I lived in my little ignorant bubble of school, work (after graduation from college in 1999), working out, watching and playing sports, rollerblading and dating until 9/11/2001. I was actually home from work that day, because I had to take my Jeep into the shop for repairs. I got home from dropping it off and I turned on the TV, because while at the shop, the TV was showing coverage of the fire and smoke coming out of the WTC. I turned on CNN and was in shock. I actually watched live as the first tower fell and then the 2nd. I sat there watching everything unfold in utter shock. And throughout the day, I felt a massive emptiness and helplessness envelop me. Watching the coverage that made me realize just how ignorant I was of the world… politics, military matters, current events, etc. The only time I had really watched the news during my time in college (1994-1999) was during the Columbine massacre coverage. Other than that, I could not have cared less about politics or ‘news’ or anything else. The Islamic terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 changed all that. I dedicated myself from that day on to getting informed. Watched the news (CNN, FNC), started listening to Rush Limbaugh at work, started reading political books and military books and military history books, discovered blogs around 2003-2004, discovered military blogs soon after and I have spent on average 3-6 hours/day reading and learning and staying informed. I knew nothing about the military prior to 9/11/2001. None of my family were in the military and none of my friends were either. But over the last 9+ years, I have grown… Read more »
Just a little story for you all. I had the HONOR yesterday of helping my grandsons place flags on the graves at our local National (V.A.)Cemetary. My oldest Grandson is in the Young Marines (he’s 11) and my other grandson is 5. It was so humbling to see the graves and then to help and watch my grandsons place flags on them. I was so very proud to help and watch my 5yr old grandson place flags. I;d help him stick them in the ground and then he would back up and place his hand on his heart and say thank you. Yeah I had to wipe away a few tears.
A little while later I had my own moment when I found the grave of a Fallen N.G. brother. Not ashamed to admit I lost it for awhile. I was with another former N.G. buddy and showed the grave to him, and we both shared a tear and a hug. My family was there also and they gave me and my bro space and then comforted us both. It was truely an Honor.
1st Sgt Blair rest easy you are not forgotten, and I and my family will do our best “TO EARN IT”. Sorry for being long winded and maybe a little off topic but I just felt the need to share. Lastly I too have problem with saying have a Happy Memorial day. I usually say something like; Please take a moment to Remember our fallen troops and to give thanks for them. Thanks TAH for all you do and thats to all our troops, FALLEN, Past, Present, and future. God’s Blessings on you all.
I really hope civilians don’t visit this site to learn about the military.. Most of its “regulars” have all been out for 20 years and have no idea how the military works now.. And when someone comes to explain to them they are out of touch they are blacklisted and insulted.
Obumblergirl:
Name one person who came here to explain, (really explain, without a lot of profanity and debasement), and was blacklisted and insulted. Name one, just one.
And, we are still waiting for you to list the racist, either overt or hidden, designs in my online shop. Waiting…….
Five years and still active over here.
Been out for one very long time, but in daily contact with active duty troops, listening, learning, discussing. One thing that we old troops and the new active troops share is the ability to engage in a productive discussion of facts, differences, and choices.
Seems the other choice is first, to sign in some sort o anonymous fashion, and to say nothing constructive to the discussion at hand. Sorta like pissing upwind.
Been out for one very long time, but in daily contact with active duty troops, listening, learning, discussing. One thing that we old troops and the new active troops share is the ability to engage in a productive discussion of facts, differences, and choices.
Seems the other choice is first, to sign in some sort o anonymous fashion, and to say nothing constructive to the discussion at hand. Sorta like peeing upwind.
Ok, Frankly Opinionated I guess you don’t consider calling Mexicans Wetbacks to be racist which is just repugnant (I will wait for you to look up what that word means.) Your entire Immigration section is offensive. While I don’t have time to explain to you how this country was founded I can assure you that your ancestors immigrated here, they weren’t just created by Jesus in your childhood trailer which is no doubt what your red state education taught you.
I did NOT refer to “Mexicans” as wetbacks. I referred to “Illegal Mexicans” as wetbacks. I know one hell of alot more than you about how America was founded by Immigrants- “Legal Immigrants”. My “Red State Education”? Yes, I was fortunate enough to be educated in quite a conservative school system. A system that taught that doing things legal, working hard, and respecting the rights of others have far reaching rewards. I was also taught:
That Abraham Lincoln said:
“Property is the fruit of labor. Property is desirable, is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another, but let him work diligently to build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence.”
I find kool-ade drinking little girls to be repugnant, especially when they have no clue as to what really makes the world go around. Now, go to my shop and once again try to find something in particular that is racist. Even if I had called out a Mexican, that is not racist, silly child. That would be denigrating ones national heritage. “Mexican” is not a race, dope.
And, Obumblerchild: How is the weather in New Jersey today? Up in the general vicinity of say, Mt. Holly?
The comment that you left at my blog was pathetic at best, but did afford me the opportunity to confirm your general location. You really could look around and find some company much less addicted to rancid kool-ade than the ones you presently hang with.
Frankly Opinionated, you insulted a bought and paid for voting block of the democratic party. Of course you are a racist, duh. O.B. girl I have been out of the Marine Corps for 8 years. I still know more about how Marines think then you could ever comprehend. Why? Because I am a Marine, I lived it, breathed it, it is part of me just as I am still part of it. So those 3 or 4 years you spent (if indeed you served any time) in the service give you a say, my time in servcice tells me you are just a snot nosed little boot, with a big ole chip on here shoulder.
#13,/b> Thanks Marine 83. I think it has been established here that she is but a high school girl, or one of no greater achievement than High School. Prior service? Nah, none at all. At least, to her credit, she has not claimed any.
I think it has been established here that she is but a high school girl, or one of no greater achievement than High School. Prior service? Nah, none at all. At least, to her credit, she has not claimed any.
==========
Is she the one who came here, because her supposed boyfriend was a military man who was whining about this website?
Yup–that would be her.
Oh, and OG? 12 years here, to be exact, but as others have stated, I stay in contact with those in my field, and many of my co-workers are also former military, so I think I’ve got a pretty good idea of how things are now versus how they were, and the major change is that the more they change, the more it stays the same.
Having said that, go get some time on the pond, ya little fuckstick.
As for me, I remember in my own way.
ObamaGirl: I think you have a hell of a nerve to come here and tell people who’ve served they have “no idea how the military works.” Many of these people risked their lives so that your ungrateful ass can have the freedom to spew your nonsense.
@17 I was in the military
@16 Sparky youre the biggest fraud on this site.. Shut your mouth.
#18Obumblerchild In the military? For how long? A full tour? Washed out of Repl Depo? And I see that you have no response to my #11. Sheesh, just like the majority of Jerseyians I meet down here in the Sunshine State- Running their mouths with nothing of substance to say. What is there about this post that your #5 addresses anyway?
OG, there are those who know, those who don’t know, but you, my little douchenozzle, don’t even SUSPECT.
Please, show me where I’ve ever misrepresented anything I’ve ever said/claimed/done. Jonn knows me and we’ve met. I’m pretty damn sure he’d call my ass out if I wasn’t what I claimed to be, which, IIRC, ain’t nothing special.
Now please go play on the freeway.