What word should replace "happy" for Memorial Day?

Kathie Costos — Sat, 09 May 2020 19:52:08 -0400

A lot of veterans find it repulsive that people say "Happy Memorial Day" as if it is supposed to be enjoyed instead of taking time to honor the dead. What word would you use instead?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2020 7:54 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 May 2020 19:54:55 -0400

"Remember"

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2020 8:01 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 May 2020 20:01:51 -0400

...or just say "Remember Them" this day...

Response by Maj John Bell made May 9 at 2020 10:42 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 09 May 2020 22:42:54 -0400

I've lost many people, some of them veterans. My life is fuller because of them. Not one of them would want me to walk around sad, wallowing in grief to "honor" them. Happy memories honor them. I don't have much time for people that look for offense where none was intended. So, have a HAPPY Memorial Day.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made May 9 at 2020 11:22 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Sat, 09 May 2020 23:22:14 -0400

Have a good Memorial Day

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made May 10 at 2020 9:42 AM

SPC Richard Zacke — Sun, 10 May 2020 09:42:32 -0400

Never forget them on Memorial Day.

Thank you Kathie for asking that question because I'm one of the vet's that feel pain when talking about the death of a warrior!!! Again thank you!!!

Response by SFC Robert Walton made May 10 at 2020 12:55 PM

SFC Robert Walton — Sun, 10 May 2020 12:55:14 -0400

I usually tell people have a safe Memorial/Remembrance Day. However being from a Military family and retired Military i take no offense of Happy Memorial Day. I take offense when someone asks me are you partying on Memorial Day? I Usually respond with yeah right after i get back from the beach, I live in Idaho we don't have beaches.
Let us not forget Memorial Day started out as Remembrance Day.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 10 at 2020 9:46 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sun, 10 May 2020 21:46:10 -0400

No matter what you put in front of Memorial Day it’s going to be a painful and somber event.

Just don’t be the Vet or AD member who reads the riot act to a random Civilian who says Happy Memorial Day. They are trying to be thankful and the last thing they want to do is set you off. Just say thank you and move on

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2020 11:26 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 May 2020 23:26:43 -0400

Not Happy, if that’s what you’re referring to. How about just honoring those who gave their lives for our freedom by just reflecting on their achievements and accomplishments and by Honoring Those with a prayer of compassion and empathy.
We who loss friends, buddies and comrades during the course of battle will always have them in mind. Not just Memorial Day, but every single day.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made May 11 at 2020 4:29 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Mon, 11 May 2020 04:29:15 -0400

I don't recall anyone saying Happy Memorial Day but then maybe if anyone did I didn't react. I do participate in the ceremonies each years and for several years served as Chairman on the Memorial Day Committee. We do serve a complete breakfast free to all Veterans each Memorial day and later in the day do have a social gathering and Yes We do enjoy that. There is nothing wrong with also celebrating with Your own family and friends either. Thank You for Your service will work any time any day of the year. I don't have a problem with Members of the public that do come out to help us observe Memorial Day as long as they are respectful and if they took the time to attend I find they are. The important thing is to remember why We honor our Veteran's on Memorial day and thank them for the sacrifice and service in a time of war. If You were sincere took the time to say something how could I find that offensive ? In My opinion We also didn't fight these wars to tell You what words You should or shouldn't choose to convey Your greeting.

I may add I'm a Veteran of the Vietnam War, My Dad a Veteran of WWII as also is My late Father in Law. Many other of My relatives also served in the US Armed Forces. My families Military service goes back to the French and Indian Wars in the 1600's, The American Revolutionary War, Spanish American War, WWII, WWII a, Korea and Vietnam in 1968-69. I'm of course proud of all of them and their service.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2020 6:11 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 May 2020 06:11:30 -0400

I'm fine with "Happy" but if you're not maybe use "remember". What would make me "happy" if if we would "remember" the cost of these pointless conflicts. Fewer wars we don't need to be in, fewer deaths that didn't need to happen, and less debt that is the only real threat to our way of life.

Response by PO1 Lyndon Thomas made May 11 at 2020 8:45 AM

PO1 Lyndon Thomas — Mon, 11 May 2020 08:45:22 -0400

Respect or Honor

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 11 at 2020 4:36 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 11 May 2020 16:36:02 -0400

Happy is fine... Memorial day doesn't have to have a depressing emphasis on death. It can be a celebration of the individuals lives.

Response by Nancy Menagh made May 20 at 2020 5:52 PM

Nancy Menagh — Wed, 20 May 2020 17:52:24 -0400

Not just Veterans, but many surviving family members cringe at these words. Of course, the rawer the grief, the more likely the offense is taken. Once Memorial Day became a 3 day holiday in the 70's, it changed from a day of remembrance for most and became simply a way to start summer. I have never heard someone say "Happy Alamo Day", but rather "Remember the Alamo". It is just another one of those things that divide us - those that remember someone lost on Memorial Day; and those that don't. While I will never say "Happy Memorial Day", I will enjoy the weekend. I will place a wreath, say my prayers for my loved ones, I will reach out to the newly widowed and orphaned and make sure they know they are not alone, and I will do something special to celebrate the freedoms won for all of us. While some have made the ultimate sacrifice, it is up to the family left behind to live out that sacrifice each and every day.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 29 at 2021 8:00 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Sat, 29 May 2021 20:00:38 -0400

Personally, I use "Blessed" but I understand why that is problematic for many.

Response by Lt Col Jim Bemis made May 31 at 2021 12:59 PM

Lt Col Jim Bemis — Mon, 31 May 2021 12:59:57 -0400

"Solemn"; "Memory-filled"; "Remember," or "Never Forget."

Response by CPO Arthur Weinberger made May 31 at 2021 5:18 PM

CPO Arthur Weinberger — Mon, 31 May 2021 17:18:39 -0400

Our utmost appreciation for the great sacrifices

Response by LCpl Craig A. Charbonneau made Nov 23 at 2023 10:21 AM

LCpl Craig A. Charbonneau — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 10:21:12 -0500

Remembering on Memorial Day. Happy and memorial are 2 words that should never go together !!