Growing up, if my brothers and I behaved, my grandmother would let us wear one or another of my Uncle Gerry’s World War II medals at the annual Memorial Day parade in the city where we lived, Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He had several including a Purple Heart and the nation’s second highest military decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross.
The hardest thing for a parent is to bury their child (or, in the case of war, be told of their loss), and, as you write, they never get over that loss, whether it's of a baby born with complications, a child knocked down in the street or the victim of America's plague of mass shootings, or in the defence of their country.
Nothing we say or do can lessen their loss.
The only thing we can is to give the deaths of loved ones meaning, whether by ensuring that we are prepared for future pandemics, have taken effective steps to take military grade weapons out of the hands of those who clearly do not form part of a well regulated militia or ensure that we recognise the heroism of ordinary people setting aside their lives to defend the rest of us and the democratic structures on which we rely.
I feel that you should have also discussed how the MAGA folks have co-opted the flag. They are now the “patriots.” when I see flag signs on cars and people wear flag garb, I'm pretty sure that they are Trumpers.😥
I grew up in Fairfield, CT. Every year we would have a Memorial Day parade and it was so much fun. Brownies and girl scouts; boy scouts, little leaguers, academic stars, National Guardsmen with jeeps. We always saw someone we knew, often with a big grin on their face. The parade was about the next generation, which seemed appropriate. We have a well-trained and equipped military just for that reason. But surely there were those watching the parade who could no longer look to a future as they had imagined it due to a soldier's death on the battlefield and a dense, omnipresent sadness from a child's sacrifice in the name of duty.
I respect Mike's proposal regarding memorializing those killed in domestic terror incidents. However, I feel it is important to preserve our love and admiration for those who fight for us. Duty played no role in Sandy Hook or Columbine or Parkland High. When would these memorials degenerate into political hacks to support a contemporary disagreement? Surely that could happen. I do not wish to share my gratitude for a soldier's sacrifice with some psychopath with an assault rifle and an inarticulate anger that seems to require victims, no matter how inappropriate.
Thank you Mike, my wife Maureen & I are faithful Morning Joe watchers and always enjoy your comments. Maureen lost her father when a German submarine sank his British destroyer escort, she was fours years old, her mother grieved his loss until her death at 92. Just one more family, forever changed by war, but all so personal to those affected.
Mike, this was beautiful. And brought me to years. I love seeing your face and hearing your voice on Morning Joe. I was born and raised in Houston, Tx but bc of you & Joe, I smile for the Red Sox when it's good... Secretly😎❤️
Thank you for the article.
The hardest thing for a parent is to bury their child (or, in the case of war, be told of their loss), and, as you write, they never get over that loss, whether it's of a baby born with complications, a child knocked down in the street or the victim of America's plague of mass shootings, or in the defence of their country.
Nothing we say or do can lessen their loss.
The only thing we can is to give the deaths of loved ones meaning, whether by ensuring that we are prepared for future pandemics, have taken effective steps to take military grade weapons out of the hands of those who clearly do not form part of a well regulated militia or ensure that we recognise the heroism of ordinary people setting aside their lives to defend the rest of us and the democratic structures on which we rely.
and do our best to fight for them, and to sustain the principles of the country they loved. thank you.
I feel that you should have also discussed how the MAGA folks have co-opted the flag. They are now the “patriots.” when I see flag signs on cars and people wear flag garb, I'm pretty sure that they are Trumpers.😥
I grew up in Fairfield, CT. Every year we would have a Memorial Day parade and it was so much fun. Brownies and girl scouts; boy scouts, little leaguers, academic stars, National Guardsmen with jeeps. We always saw someone we knew, often with a big grin on their face. The parade was about the next generation, which seemed appropriate. We have a well-trained and equipped military just for that reason. But surely there were those watching the parade who could no longer look to a future as they had imagined it due to a soldier's death on the battlefield and a dense, omnipresent sadness from a child's sacrifice in the name of duty.
I respect Mike's proposal regarding memorializing those killed in domestic terror incidents. However, I feel it is important to preserve our love and admiration for those who fight for us. Duty played no role in Sandy Hook or Columbine or Parkland High. When would these memorials degenerate into political hacks to support a contemporary disagreement? Surely that could happen. I do not wish to share my gratitude for a soldier's sacrifice with some psychopath with an assault rifle and an inarticulate anger that seems to require victims, no matter how inappropriate.
God bless America.
Thank you Mike, my wife Maureen & I are faithful Morning Joe watchers and always enjoy your comments. Maureen lost her father when a German submarine sank his British destroyer escort, she was fours years old, her mother grieved his loss until her death at 92. Just one more family, forever changed by war, but all so personal to those affected.
Mike, this was beautiful. And brought me to years. I love seeing your face and hearing your voice on Morning Joe. I was born and raised in Houston, Tx but bc of you & Joe, I smile for the Red Sox when it's good... Secretly😎❤️
Thank you for sharing your words AND experiences with us!