Memorial Day not Veterans Day

[Mainah]

As I plan my Memorial Day weekend I am reminded of how without fail I encouter someone who thanks me for my service on Memorial Day either because they know I severed on based on my veteran plate.

I usually reply with “My pleasure” but I struggle with how to polietly refuse the thanks on this one day of the year where in my opionion it should never be brought up out of respect for those who paid for our freedom with their lives. I usually end up letting it go and respond as normal but that never feels right to me.

Anyone out there have a way of informing someone that the living should not be thanked on this day without coming off as the hind end of a Donkey?

“I am just greatful to be alive” is all I have come up with without getting into a deep conversation but that feels like a slap in the face to the other person to me.

 

[bronze_10]

Have u considered they may be thanking u because of your likely hood of knowing a service member who passed weather on duty or not? I always try to thank service members anytime I see them regardless of when. I have people thank me too... I tell them I did not serve in the military just law enforcement. . They say, same thing. I don't think it is and I don't like being included but I view there sentiment as genuine, even if ignornate of the diffetence, and smile and say thank you..

 

[bronze_10]

In case I didn't clarify.. Being in the service and by a much lessor extend Leo.. U see stuff and loss that the general population does not. I honestly think they are being sincere. .

 

[Mainah]

In case I didn't clarify.. Being in the service and by a much lessor extend Leo.. U see stuff and loss that the general population does. I honestly think they are being sincere. .

Thats why I love the honesty here. I ask a pretty specific question and instead I get a different viewpoint to seriously consider. I trully appreciate that.

 

[jawsf16]

I politely say “My pleasure, but today is about my fallen brothers & sisters and their families. Please say a prayer for those who did not make it home. They are the real heroes.” It generally sparks a further discussion...

And I too think if someone stops to say thanks, they truly mean it out of respect. It always feels awkward though. I come from a military family for generations and doing our part to serve others is the only way I know to live. I feel our local police fire and medical deserve the same thanks. Selfless sacrifice and placing others lives above your own without thought is what makes the world a better place.

 

[Julian]

What first came to mind was one of my favorite lines out of Monty Python "I'm not dead yet!" LOL But the filter would kick in first (hopefully)!

@jawsf16 response is right on.

 

[Mainah]

Have u considered they may be thanking u because of your likely hood of knowing a service member who passed weather on duty or not? I always try to thank service members anytime I see them regardless of when. I have people thank me too... I tell them I did not serve in the military just law enforcement. . They say, same thing. I don't think it is and I don't like being included but I view there sentiment as genuine, even if ignornate of the diffetence, and smile and say thank you..

Not to derail but I know what your current specialty is as I do belive great thanks are deserved for what it is that you do both seen and unseen. It feels good knowing that there are guys like you doing the important and now dangerous job that you do.

 

[John McLaughlin]

@Mainah I understand what you are saying, however, I disagree with you that one should not be thanked for their service on Memorial Day or for that matter any other day. For me it does not mean any disrespect to those who gave they lives in the service of their Country but maybe it is just their way of saying thank you to them thru you.

By the way, at least IMO, saying thank you to Veterans is relatively a new phenomenon at least for my generation that probably only dates back to the Iraq war. As a Soldier of the Vietnam era we were more likely to be scorned then thanked. (Up until then I was only thanked for my service by a senior Korean lady who thanked me for saving her Country when I served in Korea. I was taken by surprise when she said that to me as I did not even serve in the Korean War.)
So to me the bottom-line is I am very happy that our citizens honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our great Country and the service of all those who has served, are serving and will serve our great Nation to include their family.

 

[BigN8]

As I plan my Memorial Day weekend I am reminded of how without fail I encouter someone who thanks me for my service on Memorial Day either because they know I severed on based on my veteran plate.

I usually reply with “My pleasure” but I struggle with how to polietly refuse the thanks on this one day of the year where in my opionion it should never be brought up out of respect for those who paid for our freedom with their lives. I usually end up letting it go and respond as normal but that never feels right to me.

Anyone out there have a way of informing someone that the living should not be thanked on this day without coming off as the hind end of a Donkey?

“I am just greatful to be alive” is all I have come up with without getting into a deep conversation but that feels like a slap in the face to the other person to me.

I don't want to say you are over thinking this, because I don't want to run the risk of belittling or disrespecting what memorial day actually memorializes, but I think I would just say thank you and give those people a pass for good intentions. I just don't see the value in possibly tarnishing their good intentions and spirit by giving them a history lesson. And who knows, maybe one day during the holiday they will watch a show on TV or a documentary and the light will go off of what Memorial Day actually means.

 

[AboveTheBest]

Not to derail this conversation too much, but regarding your service as an LEO @bronze_10 (and others), I think you receive much less appreciation than you deserve.

I am a Marine Corps veteran and current Army Guard soldier, and by and large Police Officers are in harms way much more than any of us. You guys are constantly on the front lines, get in fights with criminals, risk your life on the roadways, and (especially recently) are the focus of violence by groups around the country.

Many service men/women have never deployed, been shot at, or done anything besides routine training, but yet we are held in higher regard by most than Police Officers are. Even the guy that worked at the pool on base gets thanked for his service...

That’s why every time I see an Officer I say “thank you for your service”, why I waive at them when I pass them on the road, and why my kids always go up and shake their hands when we see them in public.

 

[sethman919]

I always tell people " thank you, I appreciate the recognition, but, today is really about those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."

 

[Foobar]

Someone said "Happy Memorial Day" to me. Seriously? People are dumb.

 

[Mainah]

Someone said "Happy Memorial Day" to me. Seriously? People are dumb.

I am not making this political as I may even lean that way but what the CIC said yesterday was disgraceful.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

Someone said "Happy Memorial Day" to me. Seriously? People are dumb.

Why is this dumb? Don't be so sensitive. First they meant in a positive manner. Second to some (glass half-full) people, memorials and such should be a celebration of life. Those who died fighting for our freedoms wouldn't want a day where we mope around because they died fighting for the freedom of others. They would want us to enjoy our freedoms they sacrificed their life for. They would want us to remember the happy memories of them. The day is meant to remember and celebrate our fallen ones.

You can spin the meaning of the day any way you want, but being offended by someone saying "happy" is just plain out stupid. Maybe I am just tired of people being offended all the time, especially when people have good intentions. I guess that is freedom though... so be happy others have died for you to have right to get offended over others good intentions.

Here is a great read by a Navy Pilot on why it is fine to say it:

http://observer.com/2015/05/its-perfectly-ok-to-say-happy-memorial-day/

 

[Mainah]

Those who have been on bended knee in front of a battle cross on domestic or foreign soil may have a different perspective than others. This is one of those things that those who know hope that others don’t have to.

I was reminded to consider others good intentions and others individual perspectives more since starting the thread and do appreciate that. Directly calling someone with a different opinion stupid who may have a different perspective is something to think about.

 

[Foobar]

Why is this dumb? Don't be so sensitive. First they meant in a positive manner. Second to some (glass half-full) people, memorials and such should be a celebration of life. Those who died fighting for our freedoms wouldn't want a day where we mope around because they died fighting for the freedom of others. They would want us to enjoy our freedoms they sacrificed their life for. They would want us to remember the happy memories of them. The day is meant to remember and celebrate our fallen ones.

You can spin the meaning of the day any way you want, but being offended by someone saying "happy" is just plain out stupid. Maybe I am just tired of people being offended all the time, especially when people have good intentions. I guess that is freedom though... so be happy others have died for you to have right to get offended over others good intentions.

Here is a great read by a Navy Pilot on why it is fine to say it:

http://observer.com/2015/05/its-perfectly-ok-to-say-happy-memorial-day/

I spent 13 years in the USMC infantry, 12 years as a contractor, and amassed 18 years overseas in defense of the USA. And don't hand me that "people died for me so I have the freedom to blah blah blah" bullshit. I did my time. Lots of it.

I knew several dead brothers in arms. Nothing happy about it, and I didn't say I was offended. Clearly, we have different viewpoints.

 

[Foobar]

I just noticed the name of the author of the article you shared, Ken Harbaugh. He is affiliated with The Citadel. I went to The Citadel for my undergraduate degree. Crazy, eh?

 

[BigN8]

I just noticed the name of the author of the article you shared, Ken Harbaugh. He is affiliated with The Citadel. I went to The Citadel for my undergraduate degree. Crazy, eh?

What years were you at the Citadel?

 

[Foobar]

What years were you at the Citadel?

93-96 BS BA

I stopped by a couple months ago. Mark Bebensee is still there. Crazy.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I spent 13 years in the USMC infantry, 12 years as a contractor, and amassed 18 years overseas in defense of the USA. And don't hand me that "people died for me so I have the freedom to blah blah blah" bullshit. I did my time. Lots of it.

I knew several dead brothers in arms. Nothing happy about it, and I didn't say I was offended. Clearly, we have different viewpoints.

I am happy to agree to disagree. I just think calling people dumb for saying it is not appropriate, nor valid. I try to stay relatively positive and in a world with so much negativity these days, I think is important to make sure not to pick apart somebody for trying to be nice, or whatever it may be.