Are Fireworks Appropriate on Memorial Day?

[Mustang]

You are celebrating those who DIED. Do you usually do that with fireworks just so you can enjoy blowing shit up?

As long as there is a gathering in honor of the men who died then it doesn't matter one bit if some fireworks are set off. By the way ... have you ever heard of a 21 gun salute?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS6aRmpTZvI]Memorial Day Tribute ~ 21 Gun Salute & Taps - YouTube[/ame]

Did you hear some "explosions?" Genius!

There is no solemn way to set off fireworks.

That's the way it seems to me. Fireworks are for celebrating, not for commemorating. I mean, who ever heard of fireworks during the playing of "Taps"?

 

[ABikerSailor]

As long as there is a gathering in honor of the men who died then it doesn't matter one bit if some fireworks are set off. By the way ... have you ever heard of a 21 gun salute?

Memorial Day Tribute ~ 21 Gun Salute & Taps - YouTube

Did you hear some "explosions?" Genius!

There is no solemn way to set off fireworks.

That's the way it seems to me. Fireworks are for celebrating, not for commemorating. I mean, who ever heard of fireworks during the playing of "Taps"?

See..................that's what makes this country great, it's that everyone has the right to celebrate in any manner they wish, because the fallen gave their lives so that the rest of us remain free.

I think that using that freedom to set off fireworks (if that's how you wish to celebrate) is perfectly appropriate for remembering those people who died.

 

[Paperman299]

There is no solemn way to set off fireworks.

That's the way it seems to me. Fireworks are for celebrating, not for commemorating. I mean, who ever heard of fireworks during the playing of "Taps"?

See..................that's what makes this country great, it's that everyone has the right to celebrate in any manner they wish, because the fallen gave their lives so that the rest of us remain free.

I think that using that freedom to set off fireworks (if that's how you wish to celebrate) is perfectly appropriate for remembering those people who died.

That, in combination with what you wrote above, makes a lot of sense to me.

 

[Mustang]

There is no solemn way to set off fireworks.

That's the way it seems to me. Fireworks are for celebrating, not for commemorating. I mean, who ever heard of fireworks during the playing of "Taps"?

See..................that's what makes this country great, it's that everyone has the right to celebrate in any manner they wish, because the fallen gave their lives so that the rest of us remain free.

I think that using that freedom to set off fireworks (if that's how you wish to celebrate) is perfectly appropriate for remembering those people who died.

First of all, I'm not suggesting that everyone sit around in a somber mood all day. Individuals and families are certainly free to have barbecues, play volleyball, or softball, and have a few beers because I know that Memorial Day also kicks off the summer season. Everyone knows that. But fireworks are often put on by local or city gov'ts or organizations (like professional baseball franchises) who have a duty to respect the solemnity of the occasion even as people are enjoying themselves at a social function.

Therefore, I'm not suggesting that everyone should be walking around wearing black arm bands on. But it's our govt that sends men and women to war. Consequently, in my opinion, the commemoration of the sacrifice of men and women who have fallen in battle should not be trivialized by promoting the cheering of fireworks. I think it would be far more respectful if gov't and organizations spent time encouraging people to bow their heads in a moment of respect for those how have given their lives and everything they would ever have for the rest of us who remain to enjoy the freedoms we enjoy.

 

[ABikerSailor]

That's the way it seems to me. Fireworks are for celebrating, not for commemorating. I mean, who ever heard of fireworks during the playing of "Taps"?

See..................that's what makes this country great, it's that everyone has the right to celebrate in any manner they wish, because the fallen gave their lives so that the rest of us remain free.

I think that using that freedom to set off fireworks (if that's how you wish to celebrate) is perfectly appropriate for remembering those people who died.

First of all, I'm not suggesting that everyone sit around in a somber mood all day. Individuals and families are certainly free to have barbecues, play volleyball, or softball, and have a few beers because I know that Memorial Day also kicks off the summer season. Everyone knows that. But fireworks are often put on by local or city gov'ts or organizations (like professional baseball franchises) who have a duty to respect the solemnity of the occasion even as people are enjoying themselves at a social function.

Therefore, I'm not suggesting that everyone should be walking around wearing black arm bands on. But it's our govt that sends men and women to war. Consequently, in my opinion, the commemoration of the sacrifice of men and women who have fallen in battle should not be trivialized by promoting the cheering of fireworks. I think it would be far more respectful if gov't and organizations spent time encouraging people to bow their heads in a moment of respect for those how have given their lives and everything they would ever have for the rest of us who remain to enjoy the freedoms we enjoy.

Again.......................those people sacrificed their lives so that the rest of us can be free.

Just because you deem fireworks to be celebratory, doesn't mean that other people won't view them in a different light.

You have the right to not set off fireworks, others have the right to shoot them off.

Either way, you are celebrating the freedom to do what you want, and others have the freedom to do what they want.

Exercising your liberty and freedoms is a very appropriate way to remember those who have fallen.

 

[jon_berzerk]

any day is a good day to light off fireworks

 

[freedombecki]

Memorial Day is a good day to comfort survivors and pay respects to those who fell, not to mention the Veterans who lost them and first felt the tear welling in an eye to think of their buddy as being dead. My grandfather once stood out in a cemetery with his brothers in the American Legion, paying respects to his WWI buddies who fell decades before I was born. He had stood alongside them where they held the line somewhere in the trenches of death in France, probably had helped some of them write a letter home, retrieved wounded under fire, withstood cold night watches some months, exchanged family stories, marched at someone else's orders and endured the horrors of war, married my grandmother when it was over and he got back. Yep, their dress uniforms were long-sleeved and May is hot usually, but he always paid his respects looking his best, which is what one did in his day.

A day of respect for those who mourn is what Memorial Day was to him. I think he had it right.

July 4 is only about 5 weeks away. Celebrating independence, of course, falls heavily to the credit of those who fought, risked all, some came home, some didn't. It's the day we celebrate the good times of their lives.

 

[depotoo]

I have no problem with it. We're celebrating the lives of our soldiers ... not their deaths. We're remembering their courage, valor, and self-sacrifice. We're remembering the ones who died but also the ones who lived and are living. So I don't personally see fireworks as disrespectful at all.

My father, a Vet, loved the 4th of July, and its fireworks and what it stands for. He would love to see us celebrate his life, rather than mourn it and would have considered fireworks appropriate in our remembrance of it, even on Memorial Day. And befittingly he passed on the 4th of July.

 

[Mustang]

Memorial Day is a good day to comfort survivors and pay respects to those who fell, not to mention the Veterans who lost them and first felt the tear welling in an eye to think of their buddy as being dead. My grandfather once stood out in a cemetery with his brothers in the American Legion, paying respects to his WWI buddies who fell decades before I was born. He had stood alongside them where they held the line somewhere in the trenches of death in France, probably had helped some of them write a letter home, retrieved wounded under fire, withstood cold night watches some months, exchanged family stories, marched at someone else's orders and endured the horrors of war, married my grandmother when it was over and he got back. Yep, their dress uniforms were long-sleeved and May is hot usually, but he always paid his respects looking his best, which is what one did in his day.

A day of respect for those who mourn is what Memorial Day was to him. I think he had it right.

July 4 is only about 5 weeks away. Celebrating independence, of course, falls heavily to the credit of those who fought, risked all, some came home, some didn't. It's the day we celebrate the good times of their lives.

Well said!

 

[DriftingSand]

You are celebrating those who DIED. Do you usually do that with fireworks just so you can enjoy blowing shit up?

As long as there is a gathering in honor of the men who died then it doesn't matter one bit if some fireworks are set off. By the way ... have you ever heard of a 21 gun salute?

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XS6aRmpTZvI"]Memorial Day Tribute ~ 21 Gun Salute & Taps - YouTube[/ame]

Did you hear some "explosions?" Genius!

There is no solemn way to set off fireworks.

I guess it depends on the purpose of the fireworks. I was taught from an early age that fireworks were part of our heritage in commemorating great events. So, for me, it depends on the reason they're being set off.

On a different side of the coin there are several cultures that actually celebrate when a loved one dies. They throw parties in the person's honor. They celebrate his life and they believe that his soul is free from the heartache and pain of this earth so they celebrate his new found freedom. So it all boils down to perspective.

 

[Mustang]

As long as there is a gathering in honor of the men who died then it doesn't matter one bit if some fireworks are set off. By the way ... have you ever heard of a 21 gun salute?

Memorial Day Tribute ~ 21 Gun Salute & Taps - YouTube

Did you hear some "explosions?" Genius!

There is no solemn way to set off fireworks.

I guess it depends on the purpose of the fireworks. I was taught from an early age that fireworks were part of our heritage in commemorating great events. So, for me, it depends on the reason they're being set off.

On a different side of the coin there are several cultures that actually celebrate when a loved one dies. They throw parties in the person's honor. They celebrate his life and they believe that his soul is free from the heartache and pain of this earth so they celebrate his new found freedom. So it all boils down to perspective.

So, would fireworks be appropriate on the anniversary of 9-11-01?

 

[DriftingSand]

There is no solemn way to set off fireworks.

I guess it depends on the purpose of the fireworks. I was taught from an early age that fireworks were part of our heritage in commemorating great events. So, for me, it depends on the reason they're being set off.

On a different side of the coin there are several cultures that actually celebrate when a loved one dies. They throw parties in the person's honor. They celebrate his life and they believe that his soul is free from the heartache and pain of this earth so they celebrate his new found freedom. So it all boils down to perspective.

So, would fireworks be appropriate on the anniversary of 9-11-01?

No victory in 9/11. The folks who died there did so unwillingly and unsuspectingly. Soldiers, on the other hand, know what they're getting into and they do so willingly. That's a courageous act that deserves celebration. So, it's my opinion that you're comparing apples to oranges.

 

[PaintMyHouse]

So that's the only purpose our military has served? At least you're being honest in your hatred now. I called that one...

I don't hate what is necessary in this case. Their dying in large numbers is also necessary. I'm even fine paying for the ones who manage to make it back here. Learn to be rational instead of emotional.

Damn, your lack of knowledge of the English language makes it painful to read your posts.

Memorial Day is for all US veterans. It's pathetic even for you that you can't put aside your partisan bitterness and bickering to just remember the people who died for our freedom instead of having to turn it into a chance for cheap political points to further the lie you were lied to.

Memorial=Dead. Learn our language.

 

[Mustang]

I guess it depends on the purpose of the fireworks. I was taught from an early age that fireworks were part of our heritage in commemorating great events. So, for me, it depends on the reason they're being set off.

On a different side of the coin there are several cultures that actually celebrate when a loved one dies. They throw parties in the person's honor. They celebrate his life and they believe that his soul is free from the heartache and pain of this earth so they celebrate his new found freedom. So it all boils down to perspective.

So, would fireworks be appropriate on the anniversary of 9-11-01?

No victory in 9/11. The folks who died there did so unwillingly and unsuspectingly. Soldiers, on the other hand, know what they're getting into and they do so willingly. That's a courageous act that deserves celebration. So, it's my opinion that you're comparing apples to oranges.

VERY few soldiers 'give up their lives' willingly. Besides, to use the argument I've been hearing here, fireworks on 9-11 could be considered a celebration of the victims' lives. If that sounds like nonsense to you, then you should be able to understand what it sounds like to me to shoot off fireworks to "celebrate" Memorial Day and the men and women who fell in battle.

The way I see it, if you want to honor those men and women who gave their last final measure of devotion, you should bow your head and say a prayer (if you're religious) or give them a moment of silence simply because words are not enough to pay homage to their sacrifice. Then you can get on with your day. But don't dishonor these men and women and cheapen their sacrifice by cheering as fireworks are going off.

 

[Missouri_Mike]

What better way to celebrate the freedoms won than exorcise them. People complain about BBQ's and having a few drinks or setting off some fireworks. All of which the veterans in my family attend and look forward to. Is it a day of remembrance? Of course it is. But it's also a day of celebrating what they fought for.

A nice BBQ with some family activities and a few beers along with a pre-meal prayer thanking and blessing those that died in giving us this freedom is just fine. A few fireworks never pissed anyone off so let them fly.

Take your time to remember them and give them that respect they have earned but then reinforce what they did fight for by doing exactly what they fought for.

If you aren't doing a little bit of both you may be doing it wrong.

 

[Unkotare]

Memorial day is just another excuse for stupid Americans to get drunk.

Put down the bottle, idiot.

 

[OKTexas]

I have no problem with it. We're celebrating the lives of our soldiers ... not their deaths. We're remembering their courage, valor, and self-sacrifice. We're remembering the ones who died but also the ones who lived and are living. So I don't personally see fireworks as disrespectful at all.

Learn what Memorial means. It's not Pet a Living Vet day.

From looking at my TV it's a day buy a mattress, car and a myriad of other things, our consumerist society has lost sight of reasons we celebrate, so in the grand scheme I don't see fireworks as big affront as many of the others.

 

[PaintMyHouse]

Memorial day is just another excuse for stupid Americans to get drunk.

Put down the bottle, idiot.

Actually he was telling most of America to do that.

 

[PaintMyHouse]

I have no problem with it. We're celebrating the lives of our soldiers ... not their deaths. We're remembering their courage, valor, and self-sacrifice. We're remembering the ones who died but also the ones who lived and are living. So I don't personally see fireworks as disrespectful at all.

Learn what Memorial means. It's not Pet a Living Vet day.

From looking at my TV it's a day buy a mattress, car and a myriad of other things, our consumerist society has lost sight of reasons we celebrate, so in the grand scheme I don't see fireworks as a big affront as many of the others.

By all means then, pile on.

Tell me, did you ever jump off a bridge because others did? I suspect that would be a yes.

 

[OKTexas]

Learn what Memorial means. It's not Pet a Living Vet day.

From looking at my TV it's a day buy a mattress, car and a myriad of other things, our consumerist society has lost sight of reasons we celebrate, so in the grand scheme I don't see fireworks as a big affront as many of the others.

By all means then, pile on.

Tell me, did you ever jump off a bridge because others did? I suspect that would be a yes.

Non-contribution and deflection noted. **** off asshole.