4 minutes ago, Hawgfinder said:

So my youngest son would be out at the bars and he would talk to the service men and women, he would say thank you for your service and they’d reply that’s not gratitude but sanctimonious and you don’t understand any of it ? I’m not sure what that means because all of our service people seem so appreciative of the love they get? 

The military isn’t “serving you” they are serving “their” country. Memorial Day is different then Veterans Day, a Memorial means giving thanks to those who gave their lives.

Tom

1 hour ago, Drawdown said:

Different people (and cultures) do remembrance differently.
 

It’s like Good Friday—some people want it to be solemn and devoid of any frivolity. Others don’t go out of their way to avoid joviality. In fact, the days commemorating the martyrdom of saints are often referred to as “Feast Days.” People feast. Either way is commendable.

 

So too it is with our civil religion, in which our fallen service members are the analog for the saints.
Whether one feasts or does not feast, as long as one does this out of thanks, that is the main thing.

How many of these people really have conviction of what a memorial day, or just a day off to eat and shrug thier shoulders about it ?

13 minutes ago, WRB said:

The military isn’t “serving you” they are serving “their” country. Memorial Day is different then Veterans Day, a Memorial means giving thanks to those who gave their lives.

Tom

Serving thier country is serving us to stay safe and free. Most people don’t really care about WW1 or prior to maintain that safety and freedom.

23 minutes ago, Hawgfinder said:

So my youngest son would be out at the bars and he would talk to the service men and women, he would say thank you for your service and they’d reply that’s not gratitude but sanctimonious and you don’t understand any of it ? I’m not sure what that means because all of our service people seem so appreciative of the love they get? 

Kinda like a vet who won’t own any firearms because ones who never had to take a life don’t know what it’s like. Some were effected more than others, and some may be just saying, or that others may believe and really know how important it was that men go in harms way. Guess if some grew up in a functional house hold and was sheltered from abuse, or whatever then l suppose it may seem sanctimonious to them. 

There is a difference between giving your life and giving your time. Veteran’s Day is set aside to give thanks to those who served our country.  Memorial Day is for those gave their lives in service, there is a difference. 

What those soldiers in the bar may be saying to your son is they didn’t him, they served their country and he could do the same. Saying thank you for your service should be appreciated by all.

Peace,

Tom