Andy Rooney's Memorial Day wish

By: Overtime Staff
Topics: 60 Rewind

For Andy Rooney, Memorial Day isn't just another day off. It's the day he remembers Obie Slingerland and Bob O'Conner and Charley Wood. They were good friends of his, boys who died in World War II. But if Andy had his way, Memorial Day wouldn't just be about remembering the dead.

It would be dedicated to saving the lives of young people who are going to die in future wars.

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by cuffhead May 30, 2011 9:38 AM EDT: Mr. Rooney might be of "advanced" age but I bet he has seen a lot more than 90% of us. His wisdom is clear. War does nothing good for us or any other nation. Those who think war will always be here are wrong. One day men will "learn war no more".; Reply to this comment


by longtree-2009 May 30, 2011 9:14 AM EDT: nice thought but hardly realistic. there have always been wars and there will always be wars. wars have been around since recorded history began and most likely even before that for centuries. mister rooney is of advanced age and it's normal for the elderly to be more peaceful as their testosterone, or estrogen for females, levels are zero point nothing. they are also physically weakened and tend to be more spiritual since they are on the edge of the end of their life span. still, nice thought but so unrealistic mister rooney.; Reply to this comment

by AnnieDanny May 29, 2011 10:21 PM EDT

Personally I don't think this holiday should be turned into anything other than what it is. The sacrifices of our soldiers are too solemn, too sacred to use this day for other agendas IMO. I'd hate to see Memorial Day turned into a circus of anti-war sentiment and demonstrations, that's the nightmare that comes to mind.

This world isn't anywhere close to "world peace" for a whole lot of reasons. And as long as those reasons exist (terrorists and drug cartels just for starters) we need our soldiers. I think they deserve 100% of Memorial Day, not just part of it.

Of course, they deserve a lot more than that, but you know what I mean.

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by rocketjl May 29, 2011 11:30 PM EDT: I'm 72 yrs old and been around a while. Spent some time in Korea and Vietnam, don't remember anyone celebrating and calling for more wars. They did not want war then and we don't want it now. However, when bad guys with guns come after us or or friends, they won't stop unless we stop them. Amen.

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