Is it appropriate to wear your uniform during a ceremony on Memorial Day?

2016-05-24T01:51:09-04:00

So... This is a personal thing, but I will leave out personal details. Basically, the dilemma is that I personally believe that if you are part of a Memorial Day ceremony, regardless of your role that you should wear your uniform and render a salute to the fallen. Others believe that this day is not about you, the servicemember, and that a uniform is totally inappropriate because it takes attention away from the fallen...

Although I understand and appreciate that logic, I don't understand why dressing in uniform FOR the fallen out of respect equates to taking it away from them. So I post here, on RP, to get your thoughts: is it appropriate to wear a uniform during a Memorial Day service or should I leave my service uniform at home so I don't take any attention away from the fallen?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 1:56 AM

2016-05-24T01:56:19-04:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member Absolutely. Honoring our fallen is the right thing to do.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 4:03 AM

2016-05-24T04:03:14-04:00

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member - I don't wear my uniform because I left it behind when I returned home - and quite frankly (like many veterans) it would certainly no longer fit as well as it did when we were too young to do what we were doing. That said I feel it honors the fallen to wear the uniform for ceremonies. If someone chooses to pick a fight, assault me, or arrest me for my uniform they dishonor themselves. Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 6:04 AM

2016-05-24T06:04:15-04:00

It is interesting you presented this question and believe many of us have asked the same question. I made a decision to wear my dress uniform to our Memorial Day service this upcoming Sunday. My initial concern (like yours) was the perception of others and not wanting to draw attention to myself, however, I decided I am wearing it, not for me, but for the many Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us. I will wear it to honor them and will do it proudly!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 6:20 AM

2016-05-24T06:20:03-04:00

As long as you are not putting the uniform on to try to get a free lunch or dinner, I don't see a problem. I highly recommend you stay away from an American Legion in uniform on Memorial Day or Veterans Day, however. Those guys will buy you more drinks than any one person can handle.

Response by SSG Stephen Bochniak made May 24 at 2016 7:06 AM

2016-05-24T07:06:42-04:00

I personally wear the uniform to honor my glen brothers in armd

Response by SGT David T. made May 24 at 2016 7:33 AM

2016-05-24T07:33:26-04:00

It is appropriate if that is what you choose to do. I won't do it because I am a bit larger around the midsection and it no longer fits.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 7:57 AM

2016-05-24T07:57:58-04:00

The uniform is a symbol. I believe it only adds honor to such events.

Response by CSM David Heidke made May 24 at 2016 8:13 AM

2016-05-24T08:13:30-04:00

It is appropriate. Many wear it after they have left the service.

I feel that if you are going to, you should wear it as prescribed in the regulation that was in effect for the uniform worn, that includes grooming standards.

And if it doesn't fit, wear civvies and a lapel pin.

JMHRO

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made May 24 at 2016 9:23 AM

2016-05-24T09:23:27-04:00

If you are not active, make sure you are within regulations and wear it with pride. You are not taking anything away from our fallen.

Response by SSG James Elmore made May 24 at 2016 9:38 AM

2016-05-24T09:38:57-04:00

Wear it and wear it the same way you should everyday... with pride!

Response by Sgt Daniel Dombrowski made May 24 at 2016 9:46 AM

2016-05-24T09:46:05-04:00

Did they change the policy on wearing the uniform after EAS? I was told (never had any reason to research it for myself) that if you retire, you can wear the uniform to ceremonies and other formal events. If you were discharged prior to retiring, you had to have permission to wear the uniform (I assume from someone at HQMC). I got out after eight years and never felt like writing anyone for permission, so I haven't worn a uniform since the day I checked out of my unit.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 10:10 AM

2016-05-24T10:10:20-04:00

You show up in uniform, and are saluting THEM. You take nothing away from the Fallen. Those that say you are taking away, have they ever served?

Response by SFC David Szucs made May 24 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-05-24T10:24:12-04:00

generally yes.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-05-24T11:14:25-04:00

They wore the uniform for you. Why not honor them with wearing the uniform for them? They sacrificed so that you can serve, to honor your fallen brethren.

As Shia LeBouf says "JUST DO IT!!!""

https://youtu.be/ZXsQAXx_ao0

Here's you motivation, SSGT!!!

Shia LaBeouf "Just Do It" Motivational Speech (Original Video)

Joshua Parker's segment from #INTRODUCTIONS by LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner. Full 30-minute version: https://vimeo.com/125095515 YouTube views prior to 31 August...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2016 11:41 AM

2016-05-24T11:41:20-04:00

You are honoring their memory by wearing the uniform..We wear the uniform because we are part of a fraternity that thanks God each day we are blessed with knowing what we have survived.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made May 24 at 2016 1:05 PM

2016-05-24T13:05:20-04:00

A Uniform being worn by one who earned the right to wear it is appropriate for any Patriotic or Military Holiday Ceremony. I would wear mine if I could but age and gravity won't allow it. So i wear what passes as our local American Legion Uniform.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 24 at 2016 9:20 PM

2016-05-24T21:20:32-04:00

I wear my uniform (as a retiree) on Memorial Day. I think veterans, deployments or not, are a living witness to the sacrifices of our war dead.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 24 at 2016 9:29 PM

2016-05-24T21:29:58-04:00

You've earned the right to wear those Blues whenever you damned well please. The manner in which you opt to honor our fallen is entirely to your discretion. Nobody is going to sweat you in any direction you go with this. Semper Fi, SSgt Private RallyPoint Member!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 8:00 AM

2016-05-25T08:00:45-04:00

I have worn it not only for ceremonies during Memorial Day, but to pay my respects to my Grandfather who served during WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. I see those vets from those wars doing the same exact thing as I do and so see nothing wrong with it from me. It's honoring the family you inherited.

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made May 30 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-05-30T13:22:39-04:00

It's all symbolic. Like a flag or even a word. It depends on where you are in your head, your past experiences, your traumas, your fears. We are all in this world together. I can imagine some see the "enemy" when we are in uniform like former North. Vietnamese or Viet Cong soldiers . We are challenged to look beyond that uniform and see the "face of God" or "Your fellow man, brother or sister" or perhaps your own self.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2016 4:24 PM

2016-06-04T16:24:11-04:00

I am a Navy Reservist and I wear mine in respect and memory of my brother. As a Gold star family member, I know that my brother loved the uniform we served our county in. While wearing it I don't expect to be thanked for my service but I hope that those who see me wearing it will pause and reflect on what Memorial Day is really about.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2016 8:31 PM

2016-06-06T20:31:46-04:00

Most of the service regulations state that the military uniform can be worn by active duty, reservists, retirees and even veterans at any ceremony of a military nature. Wearing the uniform on Memorial Day is very appropriate. When I wear a uniform, its not about me its about being part of something larger than myself-- all my brothers and sisters in the armed forces, living or dead. I wear it to show my pride in being part of our military forces. I thinks it calls attention not to me but to anybody in the military services.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2023 6:09 PM

2023-05-27T18:09:58-04:00

i will be giving a shadow box in honor of my friends brother who was killed in vietnam in 67. I will be in uniform because i believe it shows respect and afterwards i will take it off. I had same concern as you, but in presenting something like an award i believe it would be taken as honoring someone who i greatly respect and admire. The young man was 20 years old USMC. I wasn't a Marine but i am a brother in arms and have nothing but respect for him.