Whenever I see a photo of a U.S. Marine, my mind is transported back to 40 years ago.I know the face. It is mine.It was back in 1982, when a formerly lumpy 26-year-old three-and-a-half-year college student clawed and crawled and pushed himself through boot camp by the ragged edge of tentative tenacity.I know about the morning wake-up calls — drill instructors slammed trash can lids on the spotless floor, barracks overhead lights blazing in sleepy eyes like stinging sparks, the split-second scramble to spring up from bed, or fall off the upper bed like a bowling ball and standing at attention, in my underwear, in front of your rackI know about the bedtime ritual, every recruit lying at attention in his bed, staring upward and reciting or singing in unison the Marine Corps Hymn.I know about all the nuances, the humiliations, the hardships, the pain, the exhaustion, the merciless pressure to perform well, the discombobulating discomfort and the constant grappling with self-doubt that goes into making a Marine. I know these things because I lived thI also know about the feelings of small personal victories of spurts of achievement, the joy of NOT being singled out by a DI. Someone had advised me before boot camp to try to keep the DIs from knowing your name as long as possible. They learned mine in the first 15 minutes.I also know the pleasant itch of growing maturity and strength, and the feeling I could do something I never thought possible before — whether climbing a wooden tower 40-feet high and rolling over the top log without any safety harness. I know these things because I lived them.

There were no secrets in our training platoon. Everyone’s character stood out as naked as a newborn guinea pig. We knew, or at least felt pretty sure, about how our fellow travelers in misery would respond when the only options were to stand head-on against the hurricane of unbearable challenge or to wilt. I learned most of the young men in my platoon were capable of great individual courage when the going got tough. It was a pleasure to observe this human dynamic from such an intimate viewpoint. I was proud to share this experience with them, even if I was one of the least.

Whenever I hear about a Marine that dies, I feel I have lost a brother of shared experience. I weep when I see his face — because I know it is my face. I know it is the face of every recruit who I battled through hell and emerged triumphant with on boot camp graduation day.How did I end up there — a former full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a four-year college student saddled with arthritis after two previous major knee surgeries?I was a child of the 1960s. When President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, my second-grade teacher announced it to the class; I think the school might have even turned the clock back to the time of the shooting as a tribute. For the next couple of days, nonstop coverage of the tragedy dominated every television station. I remember feeling a bit miffed they pre-empted my cartoon shows.But, that kind of innocence faded in the tumultuous discontent of the mid-to-latter 1960s.Wave after wave of Vietnam War protests — which never lacked for media attention — spurred violence on college campuses and elsewhere and created a national debate — both on a public level and in the fleshy tablets of each individual’s heart — about what the United States stood for; what it meant to be an American.

Out of this grew the phenomenon in the early 1970s, primarily through popular music and movies, about the peace generation, about how we needed to love everybody, to feel groovy and to accept each other despite our differences, whether they be intellectual, racial, economic or philosophical.But, one stigma remained from the sixties — the conflicting concepts of “anti-war” or not. Even as a barely more than a boy, this train of thought seemed to be a dichotomy.The inference was that if one supported the military actions and postures of the U.S., that he or she was pro-war.I’ve always disagreed with that notion.None of us — or at least 90 percent of people on all sides of the spectrum — believe war is a good thingUS Memorial Day Honors Those Who Died Serving in Country’s MilitaryThe last Monday in May in the United States is observed as Memorial Day, a day to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the country’s military.This year Memorial Day, a federal holiday, falls on Monday, May 30.Financial markets are closed, and President Joe Biden will attend an observance at Arlington National Cemetery.The Memorial Day Parade in Washington returns Monday to Constitution Avenue, after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.Many Americans mark the day by visiting war memorials or visiting cemeteries and placing flowers on graves.In Washington, motorcyclists have been a regular feature of the Memorial Day observance. This year the motorcyclists’ event is called Rolling to Remember and has expanded its mission to include increasing awareness of the suicide crisis among veterans.Rolling to Remember said on its website that its “demonstration ride” Saturday in and around Washington was staged to “to raise awareness of the critical issues facing our nation’s veterans and demand action for the 82,000 service members missing, as well as raise awareness of the 22 veterans who die by suicide each day.”There are many family gatherings and picnics on Memorial Day as it is widely recognized as the beginning of the summer season in the United States

While it may seem natural to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day,” Americans remain split over whether it is an appropriate phrase to use to mark the national day of remembrance.For many families who have lost loved ones, the day is a somber one and a period of reflection, not a joyous time as the sentiment may suggest. Formerly known as Decoration Day, the origins of the federal holiday can be traced back to the post-Civil War era, when a group of Union army veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic, called for a day to remember the lives of those who died defending their country.It was traditionally observed on May 30, until passed the Uniform Holiday Act in 1968.Memorial Day is now observed on the and some have criticized the celebratory atmosphere that the three-day weekend lends the which is often marked with cookouts among friends and family, and sales across major retailers.The Code of Support Foundation (COSF), a U.S. non-profit organization that works to ensure members of the military, veterans, caregivers and surviving families receive the support they have earned through their service and sacrifice, calls on Americans to remember theand to “seek ways to honor our nation’s heroes who died in service to our great nation.”Plan a visit to a military cemetery or war memorial, attend local activities hosted by local veteran groups, or simply take a moment to learn more about those who serve our nation,” the group urges.COSF CEO and Co-Founder Kristina Kaufmann told Newsweek that for some, the meaning of Memorial Day is deeply personal and not a day of celebration, and therefore it isn’t appropriate to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day.”Instead, Code of Support suggests you use this day to reflect and remember those who have died in service to our nation—both on and off the battlefield: ‘On Memorial Day and every day, I remember and thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families,'” said Kaufmann.Kaufmann said Memorial Day is a day to mourn a dear grandparent, parent, spouse, child, sibling, cousin, or friend who died in service to the nationIs It Ever OK to Say ‘Happy Memorial Day’? Americans Split Over Sentimentay to honor all those who gave their lives in service to their country.While it may seem natural to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day,” Americans remain split over whether it is an appropriate phrase to use to mark the national day of remembrance.For many families who have lost loved ones, the day is a somber one and a period of reflection, not a joyous time as the sentiment may suggest.

What Is Memorial Day?

It was traditionally observed on May 30, until passed the Uniform Holiday Act in 1968.Memorial Day is now observed on the and some have criticized the celebratory atmosphere that the three-day weekend lends the which is often marked with cookouts among friends and family, and sales across major retailers.READ MORE

Veterans groups have mixed opinions on whether it is disrespectful to use the phrase on the federal holiday.

The Code of Support Foundation (COSF), a U.S. non-profit organization that works to ensure members of the military, veterans, caregivers and surviving families receive the support they have earned through their service and sacrifice, calls on Americans to remember the and to “seek ways to honor our nation’s heroes who died in service to our great nation.”Plan a visit to a military cemetery or war memorial, attend local activities hosted by local veteran groups, or simply take a moment to learn more about those who serve our nation,” the group urges.COSF CEO and Co-Founder Kristina Kaufmann told Newsweek that for some, the meaning of Memorial Day is deeply personal and not a day of celebration, and therefore it isn’t appropriate to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day.”Instead, Code of Support suggests you use this day to reflect and remember those who have died in service to our nation—both on and off the battlefield: ‘On Memorial Day and every day, I remember and thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families,'” said Kaufmann.Kaufmann said Memorial Day is a day to mourn a dear grandparent, parent, spouse, child, sibling, cousin, or friend who died in service to the nation.As a former wartime Army wife, I take the day to speak out-loud the names of the 24 service members and veterans I knew personally, who made the ultimate sacrifice. I also think of their families’ sacrifice to our nation,” she said

Is It Ever OK to Say ‘Happy Memorial Day’? Americans Split Over Sentiment

BYON 5/30/22 AT 3:00 AM EDT01:33When Is Memorial Day and How Is It Observed?SHCommena day to honor all those who gave their lives in service to their country.While it may seem natural to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day,” Americans remain split over whether it is an appropriate phrase to use to mark the national day of remembrance.For many families who have lost loved ones, the day is a somber one and a period of reflection, not a joyous time as the sentiment may suggest.

What Is Memorial Day?

Formerly known as Decoration Day, the origins of the federal holiday can be traced back to the post-Civil War era, when a group of Union army veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic, called for a day to remember the lives of those who died defending their country.

It was traditionally observed on May 30, until passed the Uniform Holiday Act in 1968.

Is It Ever Appropriate To Say ‘Happy Memorial Day’?

Veterans groups have mixed opinions on whether it is disrespectful to use the phrase on the federal holiday.The Code of Support Foundation (COSF), a U.S. non-profit organization that works to ensure members of the military, veterans, caregivers and surviving families receive the support they have earned through their service and sacrifice, calls on Americans to remember the and to “seek ways to honor our nation’s heroes who died in service to our great nation.”Plan a visit to a military cemetery or war memorial, attend local activities hosted by local veteran groups, or simply take a moment to learn more about those who serve our nation,” the group urges.COSF CEO and Co-Founder Kristina Kaufmann told Newsweek that for some, the meaning of Memorial Day is deeply personal and not a day of celebration, and therefore it isn’t appropriate to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day.”Instead, Code of Support suggests you use this day to reflect and remember those who have died in service to our nation—both on and off the battlefield: ‘On Memorial Day and every day, I remember and thank those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families,'” said Kaufmann.Kaufmann said Memorial Day is a day to mourn a dear grandparent, parent, spouse, child, sibling, cousin, or friend who died in service to the nation.As a former wartime Army wife, I take the day to speak out-loud the names of the 24 service members and veterans I knew personally, who made the ultimate sacrifice. I also think of their families’ sacrifice to our nation,” she said.To those who have felt this loss, Code of Support Foundation would like to extend our sincere condolences to you, and gratitude for your loved one. We will never forget.”

Speaking to TODAY Parents, Amelia Greene, whose father U.S. Army Major General Harold Greene, was killed in 2014 at a training facility in Kabul, Afghanistan, said Memorial Day is “really not happy for me.”I’ve gotten ‘Happy Memorial Day’ in promotional emails from brands and it’s really distressing to hear, because it is a day to memorialize people who died in war,” said Greene.Memorial Day is a day off work, it’s the start of summer, it’s a time for celebration, but for anybody who has lost a loved one at war, it’s one of the worst days of the year, aside from the day that they were killed,” Greene said.She added, “One of the most hurtful things to hear or see when you’ve lost a parent is ‘HappyThis is something that I’ve really struggled with since losing my dad.”In contrast, Flags of Valor, a veteran owned company, suggested that Americans should be able to say “Happy Memorial Day” especially if it “comes from a place of grateful joy for the life we live today that was provided by the sacrifices of generations before.”On Memorial Day, take time to reflect on the men and women who gave it all for us. Find a way to memorialize this for yourself and your family,” Flags of Valor said.COSHOCTON — A Coshocton native who served in the Vietnam War believes we live in dangerous times and our military needs to be respected and revered more than ever. Dr. Larry Stoneburner will serve as the guest speaker for the annual Keene Veterans Memorial Day Celebration at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Keene United Methodist Church. A parade will follow at noon. The 1958 graduate of Ridgewood High School lives in Bakersfield, California. Stoneburner achieved the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy and was a battalion surgeon for the U.S. Marine Corps. After the war, he served a three year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at a naval hospital in San Diego and then worked for the naval hospital at Camp Pendleton. He eventually opened a private practice for 10 years and was a member of the clinical teaching faculty at the University of California at Irvine.

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