What does Memorial Day mean to you?

To me Memorial Day is about appreciation. The level of commitment shown by many of our veterans is nothing short of amazing !

My farther died in 59,he died because of the war, my mum was left with 7 kids to bring up, she had a war widows pension and we had a miserable life at times, not because we were unloved, we were loved unconditionally, but because we had no money, we lived a poor existance because soldiers dieing was not deemed a big thing by the government, my dad died of TB and Empahasema, he died a painfull undignified death becuase of the war. he was buried in a paupers grave, that is how the british looked after some of the soldirers that died after the war. THANKS GOVERNMENT FOR MY SHITE LIFE, DAD I was only 3 when you died, I wish I could have known you better. shaun xxx

Do we need a memorial day we should remember every day least we remember on memorial day people sacrificed for our generation we make sacrifices for next generation We should respect all mankind shower affection of all kind

We all should take a lesson from the sacrifice and we should defenitely follow the sprit of sacrifice and atleast on the memorial day we should do one good act in memory of the sacrifices

You are your own master of performance of exemplery nature and is the only key for future memorial days and is the dedication for the memorial day venkatca Dubai

there is nothing who live for himself, but is somthing who live for somthing better for world, they are most veluable who do best things witch use for every human kinds & neature allso

Thank God for our veterans, ther storied history behind our fallen heroes from the Revolutionary war to the Afghanistan. Pray for those who are fighting the Taliban.

This holiday represents a time to be joyful because it marks the beginning of the summer and we are so blessed to live in the greatest country in the world. I am grateful for the freedom I enjoy throughout the summer as I celebrate the God given blessings of warm breezes, laughter, sunshine and most of all FREEDOM that so many brave human beings have given their lives for:- FOR US!

In vain do we worship and remember our heroes, if we fail to rise with them in spirit - in their heroic spirit!

I believe everyone should be proud of the country they live in; if they are not, they should move to a country they can be proud in which they can be proud to live. Memorial day makes me realize how proud I am to be an American living in the United States.

This Memorial Day as we prepare for our picnics, hikes and softball games, take a moment to remember those who have given all for our freedoms. Take time to remember our fallen brothers and sisters…all gave some—some gave all! As a veteran of the Vietnam war, I know what it is like to be forgotten and I will do all that I can to make sure that no fallen soldier is forgotten and that no retuning soldier is treated the way we were treated. Thank you to all who served and a special thank you to all who died fighting for our freedoms-a sacrifice which should never be forgotten!

My husband and I just finished watching the HBO miniseries "The Pacific". It was a profound experience for me. I have never been one to be able to witness such sadness and inhumanity. I have walked out of Schindler's List several times in tears. It breaks my heart to see the cruelty among men. This series was different. I'm glad we watched it. I have a deep respect and gratitude for those who have fought for my freedom. What is so upsetting and shameful is the lack of support and aid our soldiers receive upon returning. This is as true now as it was then. They should never have a need unfulfilled again. It's time our country step up and support our soldiers the way they have stepped up and support our rights and freedom. With love and gratitude to all our armed forces.

Both my parents were in WW2 and both of them were wounded. Every Memorial Day I cry. I miss my parents and I know how the war changed both of them. They both suffered PTSD until the day they died. We need to help the vets of wars, and make sure our wars are worthy of being fought.

Memorial Day to me is a time to stop and reflect on the sacrifices millions of men and women have made from the Revolutionary war to this present day, to both GIVE us the freedom we enjoy and to PRESERVE it today. We owe them a great debt of gratitude, which can never be truly repaid. All we can do is honor their service and sacrifice. Sadly, there are many who just don't share that sentiment today.

Memorial day weekend is the beginning of summer and a time to remember what we have to be grateful for. I am grateful for all that have given their life to stand up for freedom. Yet I visualize a time of peace when fighting is no longer a part of our lives.

The men and women of the armed services are to be honored for their service to all of us. They deserve it! While we all go about our work and lives, they've put theirs "on hold" to make it safer for us to continue to live in a free country. Many... too many, have given their lives up fighting every battle they face, against every enemy they face, with too little respect and the honor they deserve. The country and government they fight for makes them continue to battle for the services they so deserve. This must end. Give our men and women the respect and honor they have earned! I never served, but I sure do appreciate those who have!

I learned that when one person die... it because some high age, some deseases, others were mudered, some went to the war to kill or be killed... and this day is remembrances that afect the stymulous of to live and understand the process of life... The war is a subject... but who makes this is the demons of all citizens... generally the chiefs from differents nations... as presidents and primer-ministers... Its that I think about Memorial Day...

I am always saddened by the foolishness of men who continuously and needlessly wage war and I am offended by blind patriotism. I hope people at least take at a little time on Memorial day to think about renouncing war once and for all.

This is part of my newsletter today: While I was never in a war zone, I can proudly say that I spent my time in the service fulfilling the commitment the government asked of me. Memorial Day has a special meaning to me. I will be marching with the American Legion on Monday as I always do, trying to keep instep. What really bothers me is too many Americans only consider it a day off and a way to enjoy themselves. This is OK, if they also take time to remember those who gave their lives, since the Revolutionary War, so that we can truly enjoy what we have. And don't forget those servicemen who are now willing to sacrifice their lives to keep insurgents from affecting how we live today.

While I was never in a war zone, I can proudly say that I spent my time in the service fulfilling the commitment the government asked of me. Memorial Day has a special meaning to me. I will be marching with the American Legion on Monday as I always do, trying to keep in step. What really bothers me is too many Americans only consider it a day off and a way to enjoy themselves. This is OK, if they also take time to remember those who gave their lives, since the Revolutionary War, so that we can truly enjoy what we have. And don't forget those servicemen who are now willing to sacrifice their lives to keep insurgents from affecting how we live today. Taps - Major General Daniel Butterfield Day is done... Gone the sun From the lake... From the hills... From the sky. All is well... Safely rest God is nigh. Fading light.... Dims the sight And a star.... Gems the sky.... Gleaming bright From afar.... Drawing nigh Falls the night.

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." - General George S. Patton Thinking like this gives excuses to the leaders who continue to think that war will solve problems. The idea of being a "hero" helps to pull in the young people whose lives are thrown away. We appreciate those who have been willing to sacrifice themselves, but it would be far better if we never asked them to do these things-- to do what most of us would never be willing or able to do.

Thanks Riklan for your short and incisive contribution on Memorial Day. I am also inspired by the statement of General Patton, and I join him in saying that the value of life is in the accomplishments we can achieve while it lasts, and not in the lavishing speeches rendered at grave sites.Again, may be I should re-echoe an old Truth, which is that men do not die. For one thing, every great accomplishment in life becomes like a lenghtened shadow of the man when he might have gone. For another, the human being is a spiritual entity, and as such immortal. When the physical body is discarded by whatever reason or cause, the spirit lives on. Hence we should also refrain from wishing the 'dead' to Rest In Peace, for there is no such thing as resting for the human spirit. Lawyer Ike Unegbe

Grettings to the editorial team at Self-growth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the significance of Memeorial day. It's easy to get absorbed with our own life and loose sight of the significance of Memorial day, so thanks for bringing it to our awareness. All of the quotes you listed are great. My favorite is..... "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." - Joseph Campbell I hope you all have an enjoyable Memeorial Day weekend! Love And Light, John

Memorial Day is a day when we should be honoring and showing respect for those people who have given us the freedoms we have shared in this country. A day we should use to teach our children the meaning of the Pledges these individuals took to heart. Teach them to salute the flag, acknowledge our military people, sing the National Anthem with pride, make sure the know the Pledge of Alligance. It is also a day to explain to our youth why they should not make idols and heros out of people who disrepect our nation by not saluting the flag, talking through the National Anthem, and the Pledge. A day we need to spend with our children and families teaching and working with them on the history of our Nation.

I am the daughter of a WWII Army Veteran as well as the younger sister of two older brothers that served in the Military. One who was in USAF,another brother that was in the US Army who fought in the Vietnam War, and a younger brother who is still in the USAF and is getting ready to deploy to Afganistan in October 2010. I also had the pleasue to fly on a manifest with many WWII Veterans to Washington D.C.(one whom I was responsible for) on a Honor Air trip last year that really blessed me to see the smiles on their faces. I thank God daily for the Veterans that served our Country so that we could be be safe. I love ya'll and pray for you daily. Jan Whitaker-Bossier City, La.

I like this quote: Are they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet act? Are they dead that yet move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism? ~Henry Ward Beecher