I wrote earlier about the appalling decision of Trump Junior to get married on Memorial Day weekend. Hell, even though Trump didn’t want to attend he probably loved the notion of his son taking a dump on Memorial Day. No doubt Trump himself will take a bigger one on it tomorrow. So, my hope is to provide you a proper Memorial Day tribute first.
This is a weekend and holiday that has been solemn to me since I was far to young to understand just what it represented. I’d grow to learn. And I want to remind people that many people buried under those little flags you’ll see dotting cemetery plots around the country might not have died in battle, but many would eventually die shortened lives due to wounds suffered on battlefields. Both physical and psychological. And in other ways. My own dad was grievously wounded in the skies over Europe and it’s a miracle he survived. He’d spend the rest of his life trying to hide the scars. But in a way war took his life because like so many he got hooked on the FREE cigarettes given out like candy to our troops overseas and was never able to kick the habit. Lung cancer took him at just 57 years old.
In his final book, about the ill-fated Operation Market Garden historian Cornelius Ryan wrote the perfect dedication: “For them all.” That seems fitting tonight before I wrap things up. To post something before Trump can sh!t all over a day meant to honor people who were what he has never been – patriots willing to give all for this country. It pains me to quote part of Taps this way but ‘all is NOT well’ due to Trump. It’s our duty to make this country once again worthy of the sacrifice of those who gave so much.
Taps is something that won’t be played over my grave when I die. I’m not MAGA so my small midwestern town won’t see the local veteran’s groups provide an honor guard. Maybe one of the few folks who might show up when my cremated remains are buried with my father play taps on their cell phone. But Taps evokes something in me. No more so that the times I’ve heard it at the end of the Evening Parade held every Friday at Marine Barracks 8th & I in Washington D.C. each summer. The Barracks is the oldest public building in DC, as the British spared it when they sacked the city and burned the WH and other buildings during the War of 1812. Out of respect for the Marines bravery in the battle of Bladensburg (Maryland).
If you are ever in DC from mid May through the end of the summer I urge you, even if you’re not into ‘military stuff, the pomp and ceremony’ to attend. If after the colors are retired and the lone bugler perched high on the parapet sounds Taps you’re throat doesn’t have a big lump and you’re not fighting back tears I feel sorry for you. Since most who read this won’t get the chance, I’m providing that special moment here:
For them all
Thank you, Denis.
Thanks Denis. Visited the Veterans Cemetery today to remember and honor my father-in-law Navy, sister Navy, and two Uncles both Army. Very meaningful and touching.
Someone gets married on a Saturday of memorial day weekend and because it’s Trump’s family you consider that to be taking a dump on memorial day and an appalling decision?? You’re deranged!!
What would you call some pos lefty politician’s paying tribute to pos lifelong criminal george pos floyd on memorial day instead of paying tribute to America’s fallen brave?