Memorial Day thoughts of a former Nationalist.
I was indoctrinated a fundamentalist extremist from birth. I was taught and believed that The United States was God's country. That meant that God had chosen America only to be his Christian nation. Embarrising but that is indoctrination. God and country MY COUNTRY were one. There was no seperation or difference.
I joined the military at 17 and was honorably discharged at 21. I served my country because it was the right, proper, Christian thing to do.
I am now almost 50 and an atheist. My views are much different now.
This is not a Christian nation and there is no god. Now I am a patriot. I love my country and honor those who are willing to put their lives on the line to preserve it. Now I question that my nation is necessarily "better" than others. What does "better" even mean. Are not all nations made up of humans? Is my country "better" just because it is mine?
But this is about Memorial Day. A day were those who did give their lives for "ideals" did give their lives for ME. I can not express my graditude enough for those people. I now do also turn my thoughts to those of other nations that did the same. I just told my girlfriend last night, the real problem I have is that there IS A MEMORIAL DAY. A day where we honor those who died due to humans killing humans for the sake of politicians or religious nuts when the same people who were killing on another while "Just following orders" would have just as easily that same day had a BBQ with familes.
I am greatful for their sacrifice but tormented that any sacrifice had to be made. I fully acknowledge that as long as we are humans we will kill one another. It just sickens me.
P.S. My girlfriend (a Marine) just saw on Entertainment Tonight that they opened the show honoring fallen servicmen and added that Memorial Day is also for the front line workers of Covid-19. This equivocation VERY, VERY, much offended us both. While we are greatful for their work it is in no way the same as a servicemen getting killed in battle for their country. The reason for Memorial day is to honor these servicemen not to cheepen their sacrifice. This is disgraceful.
David La Deau, Hospital Corpsmen USN
4
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7 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I’m so sorry that Memorial Day is being stolen ..in order to become yet another day to glorify war in the USA 
I was raised to understand it was, at this time of year, a day everyone took to clear the cemeteries of their families or community.
Sure, boyscouts would plug in flags at each Veterans grave, but for the most part, cemeteries filled with family and flowers for all.
Veterans Day is when the nation is supposed to recognize it’s war dead … but it’s a PR campaign I cannot counter..
Varn
Level 8
May 26, 2020
0
Veterans Day is simply to recognize Veterans dead and alive at least in the United States. Memorial Day is to recognize fallen servicemen.
Varn:
@DavidLaDeau I see no difference or reason dead or living ‘servicemen’ should become the focus of Memorial Day.. Again, Veterans Day is ‘their day.’
@Varn A simple google search might be helpful. Again Veterans day is for all servicemen, Memorial day is for servicemen that have died in the line of duty. If you don't like that fine, but it still remains the fact.
Varn:
@DavidLaDeau A google search can ‘bring up’ anything one wants… Grave sites are not found, cleared and flowered, with a day dedicated to the memorial of only veterans.. If so, it would likely have been named ‘veterans memorial day.’ It wasn’t, and has long, if not forever.. included the decoration in memory of all our dead.
I agree fully. As a veteran, I too view Memorial Day as a day to remember the fallen who served in uniform, not the front lines of a pandemic--they deserve their own separate and special recognition.
That said, I was brought up in a faith whose draftees registered, more often than not, as conscientious objectors, and where the name of Desmond Doss was esteemed above all others who served, including Patton, Bradley, Macarthur and Ike. My religious upbringing emphasized the clear division between religion and the state.
As a result, to this day I reject the efforts of those who would seek to enlist God as their 'commander in chief.' IMO, jingoism, particularly the religion-sponsored variety, has no place in the armed forces, or any sector of society. Memorial Day is about remembering human beings whose lives were cut short, not about nationalism or extreme patriotism. This was brought home to me this morning, as I listened to this perspective by a Vietnam-era veteran on my local NPR station, while preparing our family barbecue. Peace.
[kqed.org]
p-nullifidian
Level 8
May 26, 2020
4
I'm afraid you are still retaining the tribal instinct. There is no difference between the people who sacrificed their lives and those who did as civilians. Lots of police are dead. Lots of nurses and doctors are dead.
USAF VET.
PondartIncbendog
Level 8
May 26, 2020
4
I am a former peace officer, medical professional and servicemen. Each deserves their own honor. It is Memorial Day for servicemen not just Honor day. If we want to have an Honor day than so be it but do not take away Honor from one group and just cheapen it for another.
@DavidLaDeau And thank you for your service. I have visited the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial to the fallen, with its 21,000 names, one of which was an officer I knew and whose kids played with mine. The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-19 was far worse than the Coronavirus (thus far), and despite this, it has largely been forgotten to history. One wonders if decades from now the same forgetfulness of COVID-19 will occur.
@p-nullifidian I think it will change the world as much as the Cold War and 911.
Nurses who treat covid patients risk getting the disease themselves. Why not honor who ever puts their lives on the line. You are getting remembered and you do not have to move over. There is room for all of the heroes.
MrDMC
Level 7
May 26, 2020
3
Then they can have their own time without distracting from military servicemen. It is much like telling a child thst thay have to share their birthday with someone else "just to make it fair" when it is not the other kids birthday. Each has their own time to be honored.
I agree with you fully, David. People are continually tell me that Memorial Day is now open to anyone who has lost a loved one. I'm sorry. This is all wrong. Memorial Day is to honor those fallen servicemen who lost their lives fighting for this country. That is the sole purpose this day was set aside for. If you want to go to the cemetery to visit a loved one who was not military you can do that also if you like, but it is NOT what this day originally was for. Yes, we have heros lost in the COVID-19 battle to but let us not cheapen the day please.
As for god choosing America and Americans now being his chosen people, this is something that started with Herbert W. Armstrong and his "British Israelism" ideas. The basic premise is that the Jews lost the chosen people status for their role in the crucifixion, and the mantle of being the chosen people went on the Britain and then later to America. I'm sure many thought Armstrong was crazy as a loon but the idea caught on beyond his World Tomorrow program. Most likely this advanced the "Christian Nation" ideas. Believers just keep on making it all up.
DenoPenno
Level 9
May 25, 2020
3
I'm sorry it offended you. Not being of military background I can't understand that. I hope you can honor the Covid workers anyway...I'm sure you do.
Plus, don't hate the servicemen ..I'm sure you don't. We've had the misfortune to have as recent history two of the most immoral wars imaginable: Vietnam and Iraq. Absolutely wicked. At least Vietnam had SOME misguided justification/rationale. Iraq was unforgivable.
But the rank-and-file military are brave and patriotic people. What's happening is not their fault.
I'm sure you know this, but I thought I'd say it anyway.
Dylan's Masters of War says it all.
Storm1752
Level 8
May 25, 2020
1
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