An appropriate short video on this Memorial Day...

Thanks 81. On this holiday, my only wish is that we would all remember that patriotism--and sacrifice in our nation's wars--is not defined by political ideology or party.

I would like to see the spirit of Memorial Day return to its original roots in the solemn remembrance of soldiers who died in war, and the Decoration Day adorning of their graves with simple springtime flowers, and any accompanying prayers by friends, family, and neighbors.

All of the Memorial Day "sales" and "festive holidays/vacations" and the hoopla of parades, rousing concerts, and over the top displays and expressions of patriotism dilute the original spirit of the thing, in my opinion (as a military veteran, myself).

(I have some similar feelings of unease about some of the major Cancer Awareness/Fundraising Activities, too. Some Stage IV patients see things a bit differently than the easily "cured" and the quick survivors and their partying festive friends. The broad parallels probably have their roots in how defense/war and sickness/health "solutions" in large societies so often must come from large military/pharma organizations and their related socio-economic-political interconnections.)

Some days I feel like I'm in a war with Stage IV prostate cancer. Some days I feel like I'm on R&R and taking a break from it. I ain't pushing up daisies yet.

Charles