Happy Memorial Day!

byFrankB-1

5.7K followers

Updated 11 months ago

Hi, WA Friends

If you are American, then chances are you celebrate Memorial Day. It isn't just another holiday. This is a day that's ingrained in the very fabric of America's history, a day of somber tribute and patriotic pride.

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was established to honor and remember the men and women who have sacrificed their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

The name gradually changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day, and it was declared a federal holiday in 1971. Since then, it has been observed on the last Monday in May. This move created a three-day weekend, sparking additional traditions such as parades, picnics, and the unofficial start of summer.

Although I never had the honor of serving in the US military, many of my family members and friends have, and some of them made the Ultimate Sacrifice.

I was lucky enough to care for some fantastic people at the Veterans Hospital when I was doing my residency in Internal Medicine. That was a true honor!

Things To Do On Memorial Day

Ok, here's my magic four-step process for celebrating Memorial Day. It's all a "must-do," so don't skip any steps (I'll be watching you)!

Pay Tribute

My wife and I begin by going to the cemetery to visit passed-on relatives who were military veterans, and we bring flowers wrapped in cellophane with an imprint of the American Flag. My dad is one of those dearly departed Army Vets, and an uncle was awarded a Purple Heart in World War II for bravery!

Eat As Much Food As You Possibly Can

From there, we end up at a big family barbecue, and the festivities begin with more food than you could ever imagine. There are usually 3 or 4 grills running, and everyone's having way too much fun eating, drinking, and swimming in the pool.

In my high school days, back in the late 60s and early 70s, I would bring my band, and we'd play music until the police showed up because of a noise disturbance. Then, of course, my family fed the police officers, too!

Attend A Parade

Memorial Day parades are a quintessential part of American culture, embodying a mix of pride and community spirit. These parades trace their origins back to the late 1860s, following the Civil War, and serve as a visible reminder of the sacrifices made by brave men and women of the military.

Many include a ceremonial honor guard carrying the American flag, followed by marching bands playing patriotic tunes and floats representing community organizations.

We like to go to our local "Italian Memorial Day parade" while taking a break from all the food at the barbecue, and it gives us a chance to have some doughboys smothered with sugar or pepper before returning to eat the next course back at the house! It's our way of getting a little exercise to help us digest. Lol

See Some Movies

Later in the evening, we typically watch a Rambo movie. Unfortunately, these movies are based on how our soldiers with PTSD were treated harshly by the American public when they returned from Vietnam. It's one of the things in our history that saddens me about the mid-60s to early 70s; everything else from that era was great, especially the music!

The other movie we like to watch on Memorial Day is "Good Morning Vietnam," with Robin Williams. Most of you have probably seen it, but check it out if you haven't!

Here is a list of ten other movies to watch on Memorial Day, courtesy of ChatGPT.

1. "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) - Steven Spielberg's gripping depiction of D-Day and its aftermath.

2. "Black Hawk Down" (2001) - A powerful recounting of the Battle of Mogadishu, focusing on a unit of U.S. Army Rangers.

3. "The Great Escape" (1963) - A classic WWII movie about an ambitious escape plan by POWs.

4. "We Were Soldiers" (2002) - Mel Gibson leads in this visceral depiction of one of the first major American battles in the Vietnam War.

5. "Band of Brothers" (2001) - Though technically a mini-series, this offers an in-depth look at the experiences of a company of paratroopers in WWII.

6. "American Sniper" (2014) - A biographical film about Chris Kyle, a U.S. Navy SEAL sniper.

7. "The Hurt Locker" (2008) - A gripping film about an Army bomb squad during the Iraq War.

8. "Hacksaw Ridge" (2016) - True story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who saved 75 men in Okinawa during WWII without firing a single shot.

9. "Glory" (1989) - A powerful Civil War film about the first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices from both the Confederacy and their own Union Army.

10. "Letters from Iwo Jima" (2006) - A unique film that explores the Battle of Iwo Jima from the perspective of the Japanese soldiers.

(Hacksaw Ridge is another excellent movie we frequently watch on Memorial Day)

It's Important To Give Thanks!

If you know some Veterans, please wish them a happy Memorial Day and thank them for their service to our great country!

So, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE, WA Vets! I hope you have a great time because it's your day, and you certainly deserve it!

Freedom isn't free, and I honor you all! 🇺🇸

All Veterans Rock! 🔥🤘
Frank 🎸