Memorial Day has become a disrespectful, Black Friday-like sale day. PATHETIC!

[Frank Trinkle]

As a former Army Officer and the husband of a serving, active duty Air Force Officer, I am appalled at what Memorial Day has become in the Retail World.

This is a day to remember those who have fallen in service to our country... NOT a Black Friday-Type Sale day. MEMORIAL DAY SALE!!!! WHOOPEE! What a crock!

If those who would honor our fallen would really like to help, then take the savings you have incurred off of normal price for the items you buy on sale this weekend, and donate it to an organization like the Wounded Warriors Project, or similar organization that supports our troops. They desperately need your help.

We have truly lost our way when instead of honoring our dead, we bang out SALE advertisements and junkmail sales brochures for this day, when the day is really about remembrance. 'Nuff said.:(

[Keith Outten]

Frank,

There is a growing number of Americans who do not understand what respect means, consequently they will never be able to understand the word honor. These two concepts are the foundation one must have IMO in order to be able to appreciate what it means to serve and sacrifice for others.

Years ago I witnessed a conversation between two managers of the company I worked for, the topic was about moving holidays throughout the year to the Christmas break so it could be extended. Memorial day and Veterans Day were a no brainer to either of them, they both felt that moving these two holidays would not upset anyone. I was appalled at their attitude and I quickly let them know that I would not work on Memorial Day or Veterans Day unless there was an emergency. Both of these days are the reason that all of the other holidays exist in my mind, without the sacrifices of a large number of honorable citizens our system of government would surely not be what we enjoy today.

If we are so petty that we cannot remember those who have given so much to secure and to protect our way of life we don't deserve Life, Liberty or the Pursuit of Happiness. The commercialization of Veterans Day is bad enough but the degradation of Memorial Day is the most disrespectful act I have witnessed in my 61 years. To reconcile my feelings on this subject I remind myself that those who are ignorant are that way because we have not been able to teach them these very basic concepts, the remainder are those who don't care and will never appreciate what it means to be an American citizen.
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[Stephen Cherry]

I agree with Keith, we need to preserve our Life, Liberty, and our Pursuit of Happiness, AND our SACRED HONOR, as well as the life, liberty and honor of others.. In today's world it's not even cool to talk about those things. Bring up those topics, and people will cut you off or look at you like a maniac. But if you do not talk about them in every venue possible, how do you expect people to know that they are important?

[Greg Peterson]

IMO, this is in large part because we have allowed our society to structure our behavior around the demands of the marketplace. Respect for elders, hard work, sacrifice and a sense and understanding of history have all been supplanted by what best serves the bottom line. If it can not be monetized, it doesn't matter.

[Chuck Wintle]

yet the sacrifices of previous generations has allowed this lifestyle to continue unabated. This is what winning the war was all about...so that citizens of the US may enjoy a lifestyle unparalleled anywhere in the world. I agree that there should be more respect given to veterans but this is what they have done for us. The right to continue as we see fit in our daily activities whether its crass consumerism, parades or whatever.

[Bob Coleman]

I'm with Chuck, I don't want or need anything for my service - that's the whole point. Although the 10% discount at the borg is nice.

[Chuck Wintle]

However veterans of all conflicts should be afforded the greatest respect at all times, whether it memorial day or any other day. Its true that many simply live their lives in not knowing how much we owe the greatest generation yet when the time comes will they step up to the plate to defend...to me this is the greatest test of a society....what will the current generation give up if necessary.

[Curt Fuller]

On the other hand, I spent most of the day yesterday (saturday) taking my mother around to the various cemeteries where we have relatives. All were decorated with beautiful American Flags and were pretty crowded with people doing the same as we were doing. It was really a beautiful day and sight. My father's grave (Navy Vet) always has an American Flag put on it before we get there. And there are a lot of children there too that are hopefully learning the tradition of respect. So all is not lost to the commercialism associated with any holiday. I've learned to visit the cemetery on Saturday because the crowds and traffic jams on Memorial Day can be overwhelming for my Mom.

[Brian Elfert]

Isn't that why men and women serve in war to preserve the American way of life which includes capitalism and the freedom of stores to be open when they wish? I trust nobody who is complaining will be spending any money on Memorial day including buying gas or dining at a restaurant. I am planning to go to the local Memorial Day observance Monday morning and then I will be working on a project at home. If an issue comes up and I need some additional supplies I will be glad that stores are open to allow me to work on my project.

I don't believe that Memorial Day sales are anything like Black Friday. Stores do more newspaper advertising for Black Friday than any other day of the year. They also offer doorbusters that are limited quantity at very low prices that may be below cost. People wait in line to get into stores on Black Friday. I don't believe any store will have lines tomorrow.

I do find it strange that stores close at 5 pm or 6 pm on Memorial Day. If they truly wanted their employees to be able to attend Memorial Day events then opening at Noon and closing at normal hours makes more sense.

[Frank Trinkle]

Brian, I fear you and others have missed the point. I was not saying stores should close, or that capitalism should cease for a day. I DO however object to using a day that should be a reflective moment out of 365 days to honor the memory of our fallen comrades...those who have died to protect YOUR freedoms. It should NOT be a day that business promote SALES as if it's a normal national holiday. Memorial Day is NOT a day of celebration, as is the 4th of July, or Christmas, or Easter, or Presidents Day, etc.. It should be a day of solemn reflection for ALL Americans and a day of thanks for those who have laid down their lives for us. Massive, advertised sales on this day is simply not appropriate. I don't care if the stores are open.. nor their hours of operation. I object to the use of this day to mimic other holiday sales. My opinion, but having been involved in two wars, and my wife having been deployed to Afghanistan... and having attended many repatriation ceremonies of MIA's found on the battlegrounds of Vietnam and Korea, it is just WRONG... IMHO! Your opinion may differ...

[Keith Outten]

I have received some feedback concerning this thread. Some consider this topic a political issue but I feel differently because the heart of the issue does not involve the government, regulations, laws or political organizations. Some will consider this a patriotic topic which may be accurate, others something else.

From the few posts so far I can see all to well that the range of views covers both sides of the fence. As we will never be able to resolve this it isn't a debate so there will not be a winner of loser here. With that in mind rather than me closing this thread I prefer to leave it open so those who wish to express their point of view may do so as long as we are all friends at the end of the day.

I expect few of you have been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery, those who have would probably agree that the ceremony they witnessed is carried out with the utmost respect and reverence for those Unknown Soldiers buried there. I am of the opinion that Memorial Day should be a day that the same level of respect is offered to all of our fallen patriots whose graves dot the landscape all over the world, we owe these people no less than this level of respect for their sacrifice. One day is not much to ask.

Please keep this topic civilized and friendly, there is no need to argue about this subject.
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[john mcnaughton]

I would like to share something that I received earlier this week... a short video called the Path of the Warrior...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKqT0-3JV5E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Brian Elfert]

Most of the stores advertising "Memorial Day" sales have sales week in and week out. The deals this week are really no different than the deals they offered last week, or will offer next week. Would it make everyone happy to just have stores not use "Memorial Day" in their advertising? In most cases the stuff on sale this week will be on sale again within the next two months.

I would be more concerned about the majority of Americans who simply treat Memorial Day weekend as a three day weekend to kick off summer. I bet a large percentage of Americans don't even know why we celebrate Memorial Day. I can assure you the large numbers of cars on the highway Friday afternoon/evening leaving the big city were not all heading to Memorial Day services out of town. The Memorial Day service I attend has several hundred attendees. There are more people living within walking distance of the ceremony than actual attendees.

[ray hampton]

I have received some feedback concerning this thread. Some consider this topic a political issue but I feel differently because the heart of the issue does not involve the government, regulations, laws or political organizations. Some will consider this a patriotic topic which may be accurate, others something else.

From the few posts so far I can see all to well that the range of views covers both sides of the fence. As we will never be able to resolve this it isn't a debate so there will not be a winner of loser here. With that in mind rather than me closing this thread I prefer to leave it open so those who wish to express their point of view may do so as long as we are all friends at the end of the day.

I expect few of you have been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery, those who have would probably agree that the ceremony they witnessed is carried out with the utmost respect and reverence for those Unknown Soldiers buried there. I am of the opinion that Memorial Day should be a day that the same level of respect is offered to all of our fallen patriots whose graves dot the landscape all over the world, we owe these people no less than this level of respect for their sacrifice. One day is not much to ask.

Please keep this topic civilized and friendly, there is no need to argue about this subject.
.

If someone do not agree with this post then it will be consider political to them [ this is my view point and no one else may not agree ] it took a long time to make this a holiday

[Keith Westfall]

John, thanks for the link to the "Path of the Warrior".

My Dad served (and thankfully returned), so I wouldn't have to, my kids haven't had to, and neither have my grandchildren. For that, I am eternally grateful to all who have - and still do - serve to ensure my freedom. May God bless you and your families.

One day to give thanks, honour and the respect they are due, hardly seems like enough.

And while yes, the freedom they fought and died for allows you to 'do what you want, in any manner you choose', IF they didn't, you couldn't.

To ALL who have served, to ALL who do serve: Thank You.

It is appreciated....

Keith

[Myk Rian]

Memorial day is the biggest event in our little village of Hartland. We go to the parade every year. I am in it this year with many other members of our senior center.
The last thing I do on this day is go shopping. I don't like the commercialization of it either.

[Kevin Bourque]

America has slowly become a consumer driven society that relies on spending money to keep the economy "strong". People used to save their money, now they're awash in debt and holidays just become shopping opportunities.