Originally Posted by
Phredd3
I'm still of the opinion that we should swap Memorial Day and Veterans' Day. Memorial Day marks the start of summer, with grilling, gatherings, and fun events. But those kinds of events should be the occasion to honor and celebrate with those who served but are still living. Veterans' Day, on the other hand, is deep into fall and on the cusp of winter, and aligns with the European Remembrance Day/Armistice Day, which honors the fallen and created to mark the surrender in WWI. There's no one left from that war to honor, and it better serves to have a moment of quiet contemplation in the waiting period before the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons begin.
I think I might be alone on this island, but the timing of these two holidays in this country is all wrong. Veterans, thank you. For me, this past weekend was for you, not for your fallen compatriots. I will mourn the latter at the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month.
Not to mention greetings of "Happy Memorial Day", which really is a great oxymoron. The holiday has really lost all meaning associated with its intended purpose.
Rich
"Failure is Not a Destination"
Coach K on the Dan Patrick Show, December 22, 2016