Patterico's Pontifications

5/24/2015

Seeing Memorial Day Through The Eyes Of A Veteran, The Democratic Party, And The RNC

Filed under: General — Dana @ 3:01 pm



[guest post by Dana]

Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Originally known as Decoration Day, it is the day set aside to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

Retired Army Staff Sgt. Luke Murphy, who served two tours with the 101st Airborne Division’s 187th Infantry Regiment and lost his right leg as a result of a roadside bomb blast in 2006, shares his thoughts about Memorial Day in a brief yet poignant essay:

As a wounded veteran who served two tours in Iraq, I’ve been asked to give speeches at Memorial Day celebrations. It’s one of the hardest jobs I’ve ever done.

Veterans Day is easy. Fourth of July, a piece of cake.

But Memorial Day, that’s a tough one.

Service members like me think about the soldiers we lost pretty often. I remember when he was alive, all the stuff we did — the training, combat and even just hanging out together off duty. Then my mind usually goes to the day of his death. I remember where I was when I heard about it, or what it felt like to see him catastrophically wounded. I picture their faces. They’re young; they never get old.

…

When soldiers die, they don’t just roll over and quit like in the movies. They fight like hell. They do whatever they can to stay alive — sometimes that’s their hardest fight. And sometimes they lose.

And sadly:

Memorial Day is supposed to remind Americans what other people have sacrificed for them. But sometimes, I think nobody’s paying attention.

They’re too self-absorbed.

After reading Murphy’s essay, I saw this:

God Bless Jake Tapper:

The Republican National Committee shames itself as well:

–Dana


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