Memorial Day

[curioushooter]

I just want to say thank you to all veterans.

It seems that this year at least Memorial Day has become an afterthought more than anything, and that is sad.

When I was in high school I organized the memorial day program. It involved coordination between various veterans groups and the marching band. Back then (and it really wasn't that long ago, I graduated in '03 from a public school in Chicagoland) we had real guns in the 21-gun-salute though they used blank 30-06 rounds and Springfield rifles. I am quite doubtful this occurs anymore.

There was one remaining WWI veteran in the area at 101 years old. He could stand, see, and even march and fit in his uniform which I found very impressive. Now all the WWI vets have surely passed on and WWII and Korea are rapidly vanishing. My my maternal grandfather, long dead, was in WWII and my uncle was in Korea and my father in Vietnam.

Again thank you to all who served.

[FredBuddy]

Curious:

Our American Legion post in our small
rural town held a brief ceremony. There
was a roll call of those who died in
service, a 21 gun salute using real
1903 Springfields firing blanks and taps
played a short distance away by
a real person.

Most surprising was the ceremony was
well attended even though it was not
advertised !

Usually we have a parade through
town, high school band and all
the trimmings. However this time
I believe the circumstances were more
meaningful for all those present.

[smilin jack]

We dispersed camped 5 days in the Oregon Desert on BLM land over Memorial Weekend.
Five shooters and I was the only veteran. Ages from 12 thru 70+. Even the kid hit the 1000 yard plate.
We burnt lots of powder at steel plates from 100 yards, 500, 800, and 1000 yards.
17 cal, 22, 9mm, 44, 45, 308win, 30-06, 300win mag, 338edge.
Two of the guys tied an orange painted plastic water bottle at 1050 yards filled with water. Three nicks but no spray of water as expected. Most of the group was using J-word slugs.
We chased jack rabbits when not doing long range. Fun was had by all, and we did honor vets and gave our flag a hand salute.

[abunaitoo]

Memorial Day here was nonexistent.
No flags, no ceremonies, even the news didn't have anything.
Normally the Boy Scouts put flags at the veterans cemetery. Nothing.
Normally three parades on island. Nothing.
Sad.

[Alstep]

Memorial Day & Veteran's Day are like High Holy Days around here. Ceremonies & parades were canceled, but a bunch of us old vets showed up & held our own services at the monument in Fremont, NY. This was the 136th continuous year, and we were NOT going to break tradition. Surprisingly, word got out and it was pretty well attended, even made the local paper.
I still remember when Memorial day was called Decoration Day, when veteran's graves were decorated with the flag & a wreath. Veteran's Day was originally Armistice Day, commemorating the end of WW1 at the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, of 1918.