Comments about ‘Families, friends share ritual of remembrance’

How can people demean the the true meaning of this holiday? Memorial Day is a day to remember people who died defending our freedom, not civilians!

As a veteran I put flowers on my parents graves with all due respect-- My dad tried to volunteer at the beginning of WW2 and was not allowed to join because he was a farmer and was more needed in the capacity.
How dare you demean the memories of "civilians" that contributed to the war effort in so many different ways?
Rosie the Riveter, the farmers, the steelworkers, the communications workers and so on and so on.. You Mr or Ms Anonymous are the one that is offensive and demeaning to the Memorial Day / Decoration Day Holiday- GET A CLUE

Who is to say that the "civilians" that we remember haven't done just as much to defend our freedom? Simply raising a family that honors freedom itself and teaching them the sacredness of keeping that freedom, may be enough to spark all kinds of ripples that in essence has protected our freedom from ruin. The Veterans who die while fighting for our freedom definitely need to be honored and remembered; however, have you stopped to wonder how many "civilians" have lost their lives fighting for the same, but never get to be honored.

It is not demeaning the 'true' meaning of the holiday. Families across this great nation take this opportunity to visit the graves of their loved ones and to pay honor to anyone they have lost. Yes, this holiday started in honor of those who died in battle, but if you could ask any one of the departed soldiers what they thought about sharing this holiday, I bet you would be shocked. Please visit the grave of a family member or friend you have lost.

Elsewhere in the DesNews today is an article which quotes the official order setting aside a day for remembrance:"Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."

This was after the Civil War. But think of all the "costs" born by both soldiers and civilians, from then til now.

Memorial Day is an awesome day to remember and honor ALL who have given what the have to make our lives better today.

Veterans were civilians until they enlisted or were drafted. Gold Star mothers are civilians. I prefer to think as John Donne, "Each man's death diminishes me because I am a part of Mankind."