redfirepearlgt
05-25-2012, 10:32 AM
I woke up this morning thinking and wondering what Memorial Day meant to the mass majority of younger adults and teens. It made me think back to a incident I observed some years ago...
The story I share is one I, redfirepearlgt, witnessed first hand. It is not some elaborate BS story made up to generate some chain email.
It was a Saturday evening at the movies with my wife. We were going to see the just released movie "Saving Private Ryan". The movie was very moving as many will recall. In the closing scene as Ryan stands before the grave of the leader of his search party - Capt. John H. Miller, He says to his wife, "Tell me I have led a good life...Tell me I have been a good man.". Those of you who saw the movie will recall this scene. Anyone with an ounce of humanity loses it during that scene if not before.
The movie ends, the lights come up. We notice a confrontation occurring down near the front center. An older gentleman and his wife have two teenage couples pinned in their seats and is not letting them out. As I approach I hear the older man (in his 70's) yelling, "You better learn to show some respect to those who sacrifice their lives for any man's freedom. There is NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT THAT!" He and his wife unblock the way and then allow the teenagers to leave...snickering still as they walk by my wife and I. As the man and his wife approach I ask if they are okay. "Damned kids have not been taught to respect the fallen any more.", he replied as he slowly walked out, his wife on his arm. A rage went through me at that moment and as I turned to go after them myself my wife stops and says, "It's not just their fault but equally the fault of their parents for not teaching them respect. They don't get it. Some day they may. Let it be."
This Memorial Day weekend, take a moment to explain and teach your children what the day is really about. It's not about electronics sales, picnics, reunions, opening the pool, or finally being fashion appropriate to wear white pumps to church on Sunday.
Millions of men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could have the freedoms this country offers and so many around the world covet. Pass on the history to your children so they may honor those and what they have done for this country as well.
Have a great weekend.
The story I share is one I, redfirepearlgt, witnessed first hand. It is not some elaborate BS story made up to generate some chain email.
It was a Saturday evening at the movies with my wife. We were going to see the just released movie "Saving Private Ryan". The movie was very moving as many will recall. In the closing scene as Ryan stands before the grave of the leader of his search party - Capt. John H. Miller, He says to his wife, "Tell me I have led a good life...Tell me I have been a good man.". Those of you who saw the movie will recall this scene. Anyone with an ounce of humanity loses it during that scene if not before.
The movie ends, the lights come up. We notice a confrontation occurring down near the front center. An older gentleman and his wife have two teenage couples pinned in their seats and is not letting them out. As I approach I hear the older man (in his 70's) yelling, "You better learn to show some respect to those who sacrifice their lives for any man's freedom. There is NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT THAT!" He and his wife unblock the way and then allow the teenagers to leave...snickering still as they walk by my wife and I. As the man and his wife approach I ask if they are okay. "Damned kids have not been taught to respect the fallen any more.", he replied as he slowly walked out, his wife on his arm. A rage went through me at that moment and as I turned to go after them myself my wife stops and says, "It's not just their fault but equally the fault of their parents for not teaching them respect. They don't get it. Some day they may. Let it be."
This Memorial Day weekend, take a moment to explain and teach your children what the day is really about. It's not about electronics sales, picnics, reunions, opening the pool, or finally being fashion appropriate to wear white pumps to church on Sunday.
Millions of men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice so we could have the freedoms this country offers and so many around the world covet. Pass on the history to your children so they may honor those and what they have done for this country as well.
Have a great weekend.