What does Memorial Day mean to you?

Memorial Day means sacrifice. Sacrifice by the thousands who have given their lives for our freedom. We don't celebrate with BBQs, etc., but by flying the American flag and visiting the cemeteries where our loved ones rest.

Memorial Day is the day set aside to remember our brothers and sisters in arms who gave their all in defense of freedom. Now, that is the book answer. In truth, some of them were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Those who sacrificed willingly did it for those to the left or right of them, or ahead of and behind them. May they eternally rest in peace. May their families know comfort, strength, and be proud of the person their service member was.

I think Memorial Day means something close to what it was designated to be only to those who have a military family or, like the initial Lt. poster, who has a close connection to heroes who have given their all. I served in RVN, one of my two sons served later. Memorial Day means something to me, but to most people the military services are remote......just a bunch of people hired by the government. I say this despite the general high regard vocalized by nearly everyone for people in service. Lip service is pretty easy.
The pain of the last decade to those in service has not been felt by the citizens unless they had family and close friends in service and that is a small percentage. This is no longer like WWII, Korea, even RVN. Personally I think it would be better for the country to have a mandatory service in the military. This would give the citizens an actual connection with what the nation is really doing. Even though draftees would not make "real" soldiers and sailors who require more training and experience than could be given men and women during a couple years, they could be utilized to return support services to the military that have presently been transferred to private companies. These people would at least find out what combat troops do and face and make honoring them meaningful.
The rest of the citizens today merely see a three day weekend, steaks and burgers, beer and partying, time to catch up on work at home. Pretty sad.

It is a day to forget. I'm fairly we'll all live to see the end of this nation. All of our/their struggles have been for nothing.

As we know freedon is not free, if it was we would have no day to celebrate the brave who have fallen in defense of liberty around the world. Like it or not since the end of WW11, we have become the "NEW ROME". Assisting our allies, friends, and fellow democracies, defeat adversaries. Our youth, knowing this ,step up and volunteer for military service. Knowing their country may send them to defend democracy werever needed. They, most of all, will see first hand the horror of combat, and through this experience, grow as patriots. Watch their fellow troopers fall in the defense of liberty. If you servive, but your friends do not, it becomes a forever life-long experience understanding, how they got called to the big parade in the sky and you didn't? You always remember them through life as hero's! For me I experienced hell, killing many communists with my machine gun from the side door of a gunship! There were times when remembering the sacrfices of my comrads would haunt me! They made all who new them proud to be warriors, a foreign legion, if you will, on a field of battle defending the colors from capture, and protecting each other. After all, we are each other's responsibilty? I felt irresponsible when someone with me was shot off of the machine gun across from me!! Try to provide fist aid and return fire, it's a bitch to do! You know that this person's life is in your hands! If you fail him, you will never forget! The Viet Nam Wall,is my generation's "WAILING WALL"! Seeing the horros of war made me bitter and vengeful. I set my crhistian values aside and became an "Animal", we "Symbolically" scalped captured females, who lied to us, just one of many things we did to avenge our dead. God Bless the Fallen! You will never be forgotten by the troopers who follow behind You!! God Bless the President. In closing, all you military vets, remember you were never relieved of your oath of allegiance from your duties, to stand down!! You are still defenders!!