The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsCurious, why do we say "Happy Memorial Day", when it's not happy at all.......we're celebrating the deaths of
all soldiers, airmen/women and navel personnel??? Isnt there another way to honor their lives without saying happy???
no_hypocrisy
(55,439 posts)Diamond_Dog
(41,170 posts)EddieOnTheMesa
(82 posts)This Navy Veteran quit saying that a long time ago. Have a safe one works better for me. I lost some friends when I served and never will forget them.
Mad_Dem_X
(10,236 posts)Like you said, it's not a happy day at all.
Niagara
(12,166 posts)Some people or families are thinking about having that extra day off work or family gatherings with outdoor cookouts.
When someone else says "Happy Memorial Day" to me I simply reply, "Have a safe and restful Memorial Day" or something along those lines.
I'm not going to lecture well meaning people.
Ocelot II
(131,310 posts)MiHale
(13,197 posts)Have a Mindful Memorial Day. I hope it gets the right message across.
hlthe2b
(114,747 posts)Not sure if I got that from my parents or where, but as I became a bit older, it seemed the right thing to say. Unfortunately the day has been so commercialized that for many it has lost its meaning.
When the 4th of July comes up this year with the (sadly) 250th year commemoration, I want NOTHING to do with it. So if someone wishes me a Happy Day, I will likely say absolutely nothing but offer a polite nod of the head and turn on my heels, because, to me, that signals someone who has not thought for one minute why it CANNOT be a HAPPY DAY for this country. I don't want to get into it with those who are clueless, so I will just say nothing.
Blues Heron
(9,050 posts)JustABozoOnThisBus
(24,736 posts)I've been "thanked for my service" on Memorial Day. It feels a bit odd, since I survived the service. I guess I just scratch my head and say, "You're welcome".
Bozo, Army SP5