Althouse: Memorial Day.

May 31, 2010

Memorial Day.

(Enlarge.)

32 comments:

Fred4Pres said...: Thank you to all who gave all.; 5/31/10, 1:28 PM
Fred4Pres said...: This works well:

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.; 5/31/10, 1:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Fred4Pres: The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here...

Thank God, Lincoln was wrong about at least that much.; 5/31/10, 1:36 PM
AllenS said...: At the start of the Brewers game today, Bob Uecker read something about Memorial Day that was written by an anonymous writer. I tried to find the words, but couldn't. I wanted to post it here.; 5/31/10, 1:38 PM
lemondog said...: Philadelphia 30th Streeet Street Memorial; 5/31/10, 2:12 PM
Unknown said...: Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes.

I have not yet begun to fight.

We have met the enemy and he is ours.

Victory or death!

A little more grape, Captain Bragg.

Soldiers, brave Rifles, you have come through fire and come out as steel.

You may keep your sword, sir.

Mr. Thompson, you may take your men down and open the fight.

Then, sir, I will order the charge.

Do you want to live forever?

I shall return.

Well, then, Rangers, lead the way.

(Lest we forget); 5/31/10, 2:17 PM
Unknown said...: lemondog said...

Philadelphia 30th Streeet Street Memorial

30th Street Station.; 5/31/10, 2:18 PM
chuck b. said...: "Thank you to all who gave all."

Seconded.; 5/31/10, 2:20 PM
The Crack Emcee said...: A woman and child - not a soldier.

Whatever.

My God, we are a twisted culture now.; 5/31/10, 2:25 PM
tree hugging sister said...: I also posted this morning, if you'll forgive me. As the mom of a serviceman, I found this so tragic, but so American. Yet, as a Marine Corps Staff Sergeant myself, I understand completely.

The Corporal of Marines who was our thousandth loss in Afghanistan? He was born on the Fourth of July.; 5/31/10, 2:49 PM
Phil 314 said...: I was always impressed with the Kansas City Liberty Memorial; closer, closer view of relief figure, and one of the inscriptions

There's that WWI theme again; 5/31/10, 2:55 PM
Fred4Pres said...: Crack: She is morning the loss of her husband. He is morning the loss of his dad.; 5/31/10, 3:00 PM
Phil 314 said...: And just watched this movie last night. Though the beginning got the most press, this scene seems most applicable to Memorial Day

how weak and fruitless any words...; 5/31/10, 3:04 PM
Fred4Pres said...: And Crack, the WWII monument is not Ms. Ormond.

But I like Dr. Helen's bitch slap. Thanks for posting that.

I support spouses following their dreams. If going to law school is some thing about making money, Ormond is probably right about the husband. It is irresponsible (and likely a poor investment). If becoming a lawyer is the guy's dream, then his wife should be supporting it (just like he should be supporting her dreams) and not calling Ormond. The issue then is how to acheive the dream without going into debt (there are affordable state schools, night school programs, etc.).; 5/31/10, 3:07 PM
pm317 said...: Mother nature thought she would rain on his parade, literally. Now that they have reduced everything to photo op and political gain, I must say that the Arlington Cemetery event looked majestic and it was Obama's loss. It looks like, compassion is a word he runs away from.; 5/31/10, 3:18 PM
Wince said...: Anybody else notice how hard it is to tell where Suze Orman ends and her orange leather jacket begins?; 5/31/10, 3:20 PM
HKatz said...: @ Crack
who said, A woman and child - not a soldier.

Do your research.

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/historical_signs/hs_historical_sign.php?id=11809
The two larger-than-life sized high relief figures by sculptor Charles Keck (1875–1951) depict a male warrior on the left and a female with a child to the right, and serve as symbols of victory and family.

The photo shows half the monument... (also the monument was dedicated in 1951 - does that year fall into "our twisted culture now"?); 5/31/10, 4:51 PM
Ann Althouse said...: You can see the whole monument in the next picture which also has the inscription.; 5/31/10, 5:45 PM
Ann Althouse said...: The monument is in Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn, NY.; 5/31/10, 5:45 PM
Ann Althouse said...: I think it is good for Memorial Day because it depicts remembering with great reverence.; 5/31/10, 5:46 PM
Deborah M. said...: I had the pleasure of hearing General Russel Honore (Ret) today at the Marietta National Cemetary. Quite a moving ceremony. He gave a terrific speech. Phil Gingrey (R) was there, but alas, no David Scott (D).; 5/31/10, 5:49 PM
Deborah M. said...: CEMETERY. I always get that wrong.; 5/31/10, 5:56 PM
Deborah M. said...: And just watched this movie last night. Though the beginning got the most press, this scene seems most applicable to Memorial Day

I have been watching that film, too. Such a good movie, but so sad.; 5/31/10, 5:58 PM
The Crack Emcee said...: Well then show the whole damn memorial. What the fuck am I supposed to know about a god damned statue of a woman and child? It's fucking Memorial Day - about the men and women who served and died - not Those Who Are Left Behind Day. How the fuck am I supposed to know different? "Do your research"? On what? A god damned photo? Caption the bitch. Tell me something. It's god damned Memorial Day - show me a motherfucking soldier. That's the proper symbolism. Anything else is bullshit.

In case you can't tell, I'm sick of fucking women. I'm sick of fucking children. I'm sick of everybody standing in the god damned way of giving men - especially men who've died for your almost worthless asses - their due. Go to a god damned cemetery today and it's a sea of dead guys, with merely a smattering of women - and those that are left are "dissatisfied". Fuck 'em. You rain on our parade, I'll shit on yours. It's all y'all deserve.

Showing a god damned woman and child on Memorial Day.

The insults just never end.; 5/31/10, 6:53 PM
HKatz said...: How the fuck am I supposed to know different?

I also didn't know any different, but the photo shows the words Brooklyn and the years 1941-1945. So if you're interested you google Brooklyn WWII memorial.

The insults just never end.
All the memorials you can visit or read about which list the names of soldiers, portray photos and statues of soldiers and other military personnel, their deeds and their words, or commemorate soldiers who died unnamed and were buried in unmarked graves... their power and depth is in no ways diminished in the face of this one photo on this one blog. (And soldiers don't find the idea of a family remembering them, or waiting for them, in the least ways insulting - pretty much the opposite; it's one of the things they've always clung to for strength and solace.); 5/31/10, 7:42 PM
Rialby said...: To all the men and women who gave their lives to defend this country, thank you. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.; 5/31/10, 9:46 PM
Ann Althouse said...: @Crack What would it take for you to get past your anger and be able to love women again?; 5/31/10, 9:48 PM
The Crack Emcee said...: Ann,

Someone's going to have to find a cure for dishonesty:

City girls just seem to find out early
How to open doors with just a smile
A rich old man and she won`t have to worry
She`ll dress up all in lace and go in style

Late at night a big ole house gets lonely,
I guess every form refuge has its price
And it breaks her heart to think her love is only
Given to a man with hands as cold as ice.

So she tells him she must go out for the evening
To comfort an old friend who`s feeling down
But he knows where she`s going as she`s leaving
She is headed for the cheatin` side of town.

You can`t hide your lyin` eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you`d realize
There ain`t no way to hide your lyin` eyes

On the other side of town a boy is waiting
With firey eyes and dreams no one could steal
She drives on through the night anticipating
Cause he makes her feel the way she used to feel

She rushes to his arms, they fall together
She whispers it`s only for a while
She swears that soon she`ll be coming back forever
She pulls away and leaves him with a smile

You can`t hide your lyin` eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you`d realize
There ain`t no way to hide your lyin` eyes

She gets up and pours herself a strong one
And stares out at the stars up in the sky
Another night - it`s gonna be a long one
She draws the shade and hangs her head and cries

She wonders how it ever got this crazy
She thinks about a boy she knew in school
Did she get tired, or did she just get lazy
She`s so far gone, she feels just like a fool

My, oh my, you sure know know how to arrange things
You set it up so well, so carefully
Ain`t it funny how your new life didn`t change things
You`re still the same ole` girl you used to be

You can`t hide your lyin` eyes
And your smile is a thin disguise
I thought by now you`d realize
There ain`t no way to hide your lyin` eyes...
There ain`t no way to hide your lyin` eyes...
Honey you can`t hide your lyin` eyes

I had another horrible nightmare last night. Featuring my wife. Five years after the split, three years after the murders were exposed. I've always been loyal. How to change that, and join the ugly scenario above - the rest of the cheating human race - is beyond me. I guess, first, I've got to want it. Which I don't. I want people to act right. But, I know, that's just asking too damn much.

They can`t hide their lyin` eyes.; 6/1/10, 12:26 AM
virgil xenophon said...: c3, I spent a lot of time in KC in the 50s & 60s--always loved the memorial. I heard it was in a state of some deterioration and financial difficulty. Update?; 6/1/10, 10:51 AM
virgil xenophon said...: edutcher@2:17/31May

You may fire when ready, Gridley.

Praise The Lord and pass the ammunition!

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

Don't Give Up the Ship!; 6/1/10, 10:57 AM
virgil xenophon said...: c3, I spent a lot of time in KC in the 50s & 60s--always loved the memorial. I heard it was in a state of some deterioration and financial difficulty. Update?; 6/1/10, 10:59 AM
Nichevo said...: Well then show the whole damn memorial. What the fuck am I supposed to know about a god damned statue of a woman and child? It's fucking Memorial Day - about the men and women who served and died - not Those Who Are Left Behind Day. How the fuck am I supposed to know different? "Do your research"? On what? A god damned photo? Caption the bitch. Tell me something. It's god damned Memorial Day - show me a motherfucking soldier. That's the proper symbolism. Anything else is bullshit.

You dare, Cracky? You dare tell her to caption? I have been literally begging and pleading with you to caption these insane pictures you put up. Dead air is what I get back on that.

What was the deal with that woman with half the skin torn off her head holding a cup of dirt? You still haven't explained that, and there are a hundred other pics almost as wack and haunting.

YOU caption the bitch. Please.

OTOH I'm glad you haven't given up the ship.; 6/1/10, 11:42 PM