Except that in US military cemeteries, they use rounded slabs for headstones. The crosses, etcetera, are only found in European military cemeteries, especially in France and Belgium. “Crosses, row upon row” comes from ‘In Flanders Fields’, written by Canadian John McCrae in 1915….
A few years back I visited my parents graves on Memorial Day, there was a gathering of 50 or more celebrating. They had set up grills, tables, chairs and music on the road. It first I thought it kind of odd, but it was for family members that had given their all in Vietnam.
RonnieAThompsonHappy Memorial DayI have REAL problems with that. I have to believe that you are just idly repeating that phrase and did not think it out. Why should I be happy that thousands have lost their lives; especially on a day set aside to remember and honor them?
First of all, you seem to forget as was said already, that when they put the cross or star atop the monument, there was only one other option – nothing atop the stone.
Nowadays, the symbol is on the stone itself, not atop the stone.
So these ‘medieval’ era stones could only have one other option: nothing above the stone.
When you fill out your registration card, you now have more options (albeit still limited). Typically you put down what will be convenient for the folks back home. After you’ve been in the military, if you change religion, few people are willing to go to the trouble of getting that item changed. Besides, it does effect your remains – which you might not want to think about. So you just don’t get around to it.
Considering the small number of soldiers today who choose one of the other options, even today it wouldn’t be surprising to see this number of graves with only cross or star. In fact, it would be the norm. Remembering as I mentioned above, that current stones would not look like these – the religious symbol would not be above the stone but on the stone itself, so this is one of the older cemetaries without those other options.
To all the veterans who died serving to protect the nation thank you for your selflessness, your loyalty, and your determination, you will always be remembered
Argythree over 6 years ago
Thank you for this, and for acknowledging that our heroes observed more than one religion…
jpayne4040 over 6 years ago
That’s a nice tribute.
KenseidenXL over 6 years ago
Except that in US military cemeteries, they use rounded slabs for headstones. The crosses, etcetera, are only found in European military cemeteries, especially in France and Belgium. “Crosses, row upon row” comes from ‘In Flanders Fields’, written by Canadian John McCrae in 1915….
sandpiper over 6 years ago
Amen and thank you, whatever your religion for your service
khmo over 6 years ago
Thank you
phnx1965 over 6 years ago
Thank you for observing the reason for our FREEDOMS!!!!
pastauch over 6 years ago
Missing the crecent, but still nice tribute
RonnieAThompson Premium Member over 6 years ago
Happy Memorial Day. God Bless Our Military and Veterans. You have and do sacrifice so much for us.
And So It Goes over 6 years ago
A few years back I visited my parents graves on Memorial Day, there was a gathering of 50 or more celebrating. They had set up grills, tables, chairs and music on the road. It first I thought it kind of odd, but it was for family members that had given their all in Vietnam.
rickmac1937 Premium Member over 6 years ago
Thanks for remembering as usual.
kelseyjayne25 over 6 years ago
I like this quite well =)
ljwalk over 6 years ago
“In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row,….” – John McCrae
hitek1st over 6 years ago
Thanks for that from one who made it back…but there should be an atheist ‘A’ out there too.
nosirrom over 6 years ago
We can hoist a few for those who have fallen. How sad they can’t too.
Nobody_Important over 6 years ago
Very nice! Thank you to all who have served!
JRMadDog Premium Member over 6 years ago
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arlingtoncemetery.net%2Fratish-prasad-gravesite-photo-september-2009-001.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.arlingtoncemetery.net%2Frprasad.htm&docid=dFDad_IOUQUMLM&tbnid=G0H-rl59_SlHuM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwj3t9Ln7ajbAhUInFkKHUYPAzgQMwg_KAEwAQ..i&w=1536&h=2048&bih=637&biw=1366&q=national%20cemetery%20hindu&ved=0ahUKEwj3t9Ln7ajbAhUInFkKHUYPAzgQMwg_KAEwAQ&iact=mrc&uact=8
http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Grave+Humayan+Khan+Section+60+Arlington+National+TMSYhw_tqpTl.jpg
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/24/arlington-cemetery-religious-gravestones_n_7423604.html
WF11 over 6 years ago
Not intending to distract from the recognition of Memorial Day and the fallen, but Rodney only has one burger patty on the grill?
Tin Can Twidget over 6 years ago
RonnieAThompson Happy Memorial DayI have REAL problems with that. I have to believe that you are just idly repeating that phrase and did not think it out. Why should I be happy that thousands have lost their lives; especially on a day set aside to remember and honor them?
Slatsmagee I over 6 years ago
Thank you for remembering. May they all continue to Rest in Peace…
brklnbern over 6 years ago
Thanks for including a Jewish Star. Needs to be said.
JastMe over 6 years ago
First of all, you seem to forget as was said already, that when they put the cross or star atop the monument, there was only one other option – nothing atop the stone.
Nowadays, the symbol is on the stone itself, not atop the stone.
So these ‘medieval’ era stones could only have one other option: nothing above the stone.
When you fill out your registration card, you now have more options (albeit still limited). Typically you put down what will be convenient for the folks back home. After you’ve been in the military, if you change religion, few people are willing to go to the trouble of getting that item changed. Besides, it does effect your remains – which you might not want to think about. So you just don’t get around to it.
Considering the small number of soldiers today who choose one of the other options, even today it wouldn’t be surprising to see this number of graves with only cross or star. In fact, it would be the norm. Remembering as I mentioned above, that current stones would not look like these – the religious symbol would not be above the stone but on the stone itself, so this is one of the older cemetaries without those other options.
the humorist formerly known as Hotshot1984 Premium Member over 6 years ago
To all the veterans who died serving to protect the nation thank you for your selflessness, your loyalty, and your determination, you will always be remembered
me_the_polish_gull over 3 years ago
Many thanks for this. May they all be proud of themselves…