I hopped on Facebook yesterday morning and I came across a post from the "Official Army Wives TV Show" This is what it said...
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In less than 24 hours, that post sparked about 175 responses. Most of which were from outraged individuals chastising the administrator of the fan page for being insensitive to TRUE fallen soldiers. I was one of them. There were others that stood by the show and said that the actor "represented all fallen soldiers". I don't agree.
I wonder if those people who said that honoring a fictitious character was not in bad form have ever sat through a final roll call, heard the glass on the chapel rattle when the cannons were fired, or felt every shot fired from the 21 gun salute vibrate through their souls? Do you suppose they know what it's like to look out their window and feel the terror that comes when an unknown car stops in front of their house? Have they ever looked on helplessly as the mother of a 19 year old was presented with the flag that draped her sons coffin or looked into the eyes of the newborn baby girl that will never know her Daddy that was so excited to finally meet her? No, I don't suppose they do, because if they had experienced any of that heartache I don't believe they would defend such a callous and insensitive remark.
We live in a non stop culture, and rarely do we get time to rest. Advertising turns Memorial Day into a day of big sales... everything from hamburger patties to flat screen TV's... so I understand that it is easy to forget the underlining meaning... but seriously, when most of the viewers of that show are military related, the post was in bad taste. I would go so far as to say that it was disrespectful to the true Heroes that have fallen.
What does Memorial Day mean to most people? I don't know. I only know what it means to me, my family, and my community. I have spent my entire adult life immersed in the Army life. Yes, I sleep in with my husband. Yes, I take advantage of the day off and throw burgers on the grill. Yes, I have been known to sit outside while soaking up the sunshine, surrounded by the company of friends, with a cold beverage in my hand. ABSOLUTELY!! But I never, I repeat NEVER, forget why I can.... because I know far too well the sacrifices made that make this four day weekend possible.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find a link that lists every fallen soldier in the history of our nation so a list of those fallen since 9-11 will have to do. But, I keep those from the Revolution to today close to my heart and I am thankful for them every day.
http://militarytimes.com/valor/
Very well said and I have to agree that their comment was in bad taste, along with all those that would defend it. I may not have grown up in a military life but I have lost friends and family while they were keeping this the land of the free. Even as Monday extends this weekend I have family over in Afghanistan who don't get to be home, so all I can do is hope and pray that they will be safe to see another Memorial Day Weekend state side.
ReplyDeleteSomeone on my FB pages put it quite eloquently... when only 1% of our population serve, those close to them take things like this more personally. I couldn't agree more. You don't have to live the life or served in one way or another... you just have to know someone who is serving/has served to gain a whole new respect for them.
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