Comments on: A Memorial Day Worth Remembering

Andy Rooney On How Memorial Day Should Be Celebrated

[deanrutz]

I think like many people I find Andy''s commentary frequently tedious and whiney. But I remember when this commentary was first broadcast in 2005, and it''s a big reason why I still tune in to the last five minutes of the program every Sunday night.

It has to be one of Andy''s finest segments. And it doesn''t really matter if I agree with everything he says. It''s that it''s brilliantly written, and more pointedly and powerfully delivered than the typical Sunday column. The idea behind it and the thoughtful way it''s presented did more to make me consider the day than any other news story I saw or read this weekend. And that''s what it was designed to do.

That''s the Andy Rooney I want to see more of. I don''t really care what''s in your desk drawer, Andy. I want to know what you think. Now I have something to think about myself. Thank you for that.

[hkchallet]

I read this article and I loved it. I thought it was so powerful and I never once felt like is was dishonnoring our nation''s hereos. My husband is in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is gone right now. When he called home tonight I read it to him...and he said "Wow, that''s powerful".
This article is not to put down our hereos but to help people see that taking a few moments out of one day to remember them and reflect is not too much to ask. And maybe that reflection will help people realize that these men and women out their fighting are fighting for something so precious, that so many take for granted, our freedom.

[kanlee9]

Your commentary on Memorial Day dishonored our brave men and women who have voluntarily served America and preserved our most precious freedom.

This Memorial Day President Bush proclaimed, "I am humbled by those who have made the ultimate sacrifice that allow a free civilization to endure and flourish. Today, we gather to honor those who gave everything to preserve our way of life.%u201D
"The men and women of American armed forces perform extraordinary acts of heroism every single day. Like the nation they serve, they do not glory in the devastation of war. %u201C

This is why we have set aside a day of remembrance. If some Americans feel that this is just another day off to barbecue with friends and family that''s their prerogative. They enjoy the freedom to do whatever they want. To eliminate this holiday because of apathy on the part of some would be foolish.

War is hell! We all want peace, but we live in a world where freedom is constantly under attack and where our security is challenged. Many Americans utilize the other 364 days of the year in ways to promote peace in the world, to help victims in need, and uphold human rights.

Wishing for a new religion that will take war out of lives is idealistic naivety. Actions taken everyday of the year promoting peace and eliminating hatred, teaching people to accept and respect others regardless of origin, race, religion or gender will eventually triumph.

[denite]

Andy''s Memorial Day commentary is his most brilliant and challenging rant I''ve ever heard. Thank you, andy, and I hope the world and our "leaders" heard and heed your message.

[dovestar]

"All wars are bloody, immoral, and second guess. However, history has shown most of them necessary." Victor Lunsburg-Open Letter to my Teenage Son-circa 1967

[rock_151]

"Saving the lives of the young people who are going to die in the future." This is exactly why we celebrate Memorial Day. Those heros that GAVE their lives so we can live free and HAVE saved millions of future lives because of their bravery! Think Andy Think! Don''t try and bring these heros down...because you can not.

[ladylakota1]

First of all, Andy, you were one handsome guy in your day!!(You''re still cute!)I really enjoyed seeing your pictures from the 30s and 40s.

And more importantly, get set to celebrate the Memorial Day of all time! Were you serious when you said that it would be great to find some new way--some new religion maybe--that would take war out of our lives? By any chance are you studying with Jehovah''s Witnesses? As a few others have posted here, 6.8 million citizens of planet Earth have already taken war out of their lives because, like you, they decided it''s the right thing to do (based on God''s word). In 235 nations, the story is the same. Whether in Rwanda, Israel/Palestine, Nazi Germany during the 1930s and 1940s, or wherever...Jehovah''s Witnesses do not take up arms against anyone--ever. They are the only international religion that can truthfully claim this. The so-called greatest minds of our times cannot achieve world-wide peace, yet this humble group of Bible students ALREADY HAVE! (Obviously, God is behind them.) The Bible indicates that they would serve as a preview of what all the earth will be like one day soon. (Isaiah 2:2-4 is one of several places in the Bible that you can read this.) I was privileged to become one of Jehovah%u2019s Witnesses in 1986 after witnessing their exemplary conduct during the days of apartheid in South Africa. Truly beautiful, brave and like nothing I''d ever seen. I think I''ll write to you personally and invite you to get in touch with them. :-)

[Cerph]

When we celebrate "Love Day" EVERY day- then, we''ll have no more war.

Conditional/animal love is based on drama and change. True love originates from one''s soul is is not subject to change.

Our culture needs to recognize the true nature and value of forgiveness as a primary component of true love, and the strength and purpose it has in our lives (instead of how we hold it presently- as a sign of weakness of character and subservience).

Ritualized holidays merely keep the patterns in place, reinforce the "herd instnct" (unconscious conformism), and ultimately add to an overall feeling of meaninglessness in life.

One has to step outside "the box", think for one''s self, and make decisions based on that.

We''re all connected- until we reach a point of spiritual evolution where most, if not all, of us KNOW it "in our bones"- the drama will continue.

Things ARE getting better (in spite of the negativity that bombards us through the media).

So, a good place to start, is to stop participating/watching media that: glorifies violence (on any level), promotes fear of other people, focuses on people being perfect-looking, and their physical form being who they are, etc.

And then, devote your time to helping others.

Doing this will change the tone of our very lives- both for ourselves, those we love, and generations to come.

[mysticsilks]

I''ve listened to many Memorial Day speeches over the years, but this one was the best! Hat''s off to you Andy!!

[sharncedar]

"Obie Slingerland and I were best friends and co-captains of our high school football team. Obie was killed on the deck of the Saratoga when a bomb that hadn%u2019t dropped exploded as he landed."

Great story, Andy Rooney .. .except - what did you do to prevent this from happening to more kids? Did you fight the military establishment, that starts these wars for profit? Did you fight for new laws to make rich kids forced to serve alongside the cannon fodder, the worthless ones designated to die for profit? Did you expose the fact that WWII was caused 100% and absolutely not by Hitler, not by Hirohito, not by anything or anyone other than Woodrow Wilson and the war mongerers and profiteers that got us into WWI?

You did nothing. You gave some lip service that these foolish dead were "heroes" and then enjoyed your, life, creating George Bush and Vietnam and Korea and the rise of China and all the bloodbaths to come.

The only feeling you and your generation are entitles to is a great sorrow at your lost opportunity to learn from your mistakes.

[sharncedar]

WWII was completely preventable - it was Woodrow Wilson''s war loving mania, not unlike George Bush and his corporate sponsors, that led to the harsh conditions placed on Germany after the "War of the Stupid" also known as WWI. If we had stayed out of WWI, it would have ended in a stalemate, a negotiated settlement, and the perpetrators of that war in Britain, France, and Gemrany would have been punished severly, and there is no chance Hitler could have come to power. The idiot, the fool, the "George Bush" of his day who was Woodrow Wilson got into that war for all the wrong reasons.

Thus those who died in WWII also died for nothing but the profits of some rich man. When will the rich die for their own profits? And stop lying to everyone, if being a "hero" by dying for rich men is so great, when are the rich themselves, like *** "draft dodger" Cheney, going to start signing up?

That''s why Americans don''t make a big deal about Memorial Day, they know deep inside that letting our kids and young men get maimed or killed so some rich guy can make a few dollars of extra profit or India and China can get a little faster growth rate is horrible and sad, not something to celebrate.

The proper way to celebrate Memorial Day is to begin to fight back, to plan for a world where Americans only die for America, not for thieves like Cheney or Woodrow Wilson.

[nmsuip]

Is this an America our war dead would be proud of?

How so?

Have we been worth their sacrifice?

[dlperk1]

Andy, Thank you for so eloquently and humanely expressing, for all of us, the sense of pride and loss we must feel for the soldiers who have fought and died to preserve the values we believe our nation holds. Indeed, the human race must find better ways to resolve differences. Our survival and that of our children depends on it.

[joyous88]

no hero died for nothing ,

these guys were murdered by the republicons,

so get over the propaganda talking points,

a real american would want to end this needless war,

when we were in vietnam we all knew the truth, now

the republicons hide the truth in propaganda, and unamerican fools like you propagate the LIE

[mary4141-2009]

Thank you Mr. Rooney for your moving tribute.

[nonayabiness]

"Remembering doesn%u2019t do the remembered any good, of course."

-Andy Rooney and whomever let this go to copy should be shot between the eyes. How dare they say remembering doesn''t do any good, and furthermore, people who are turning this into yet ANOTHER political discussion. Just honor our heroes, please.

[joyous88]

War mongers will always be with us, look at mccain;

The real thing that can make a difference is that we

need to remember that war is a last resort not a

choice, SOLDIERS DYING FOR A CHANCE TO HELP THE

REPUBLICONS STAY IN OFFICE IS A BAD CHOICE:

[conoclast]

I was happy to hear Mr. Rooney say "I wish we could dedicate Memorial Day... to ...saving the lives of the young people who are going to die in the future if we don%u2019t find some new way... that takes war out of our lives." I believe that an end to war is possible. During my near death experience a few years ago I received insights that I believe can end war. I became so consumed by what I was given during my experience & published a book that shows a way we might accomplish this. My book is entitled "Apocalypse Near" and although I''m now disabled from my brain aneurysm I will continue to use my life to try to promote an end to war. Over idealistic perhaps, but if someone can tell me something better I might do with my life now that I can only sit at a computer & type, well I''m open to ideas. As far as an end to war I not only have an idea I have a clearly defined way how we may achieve that. Thanks Mr. Rooney for reminding me why I should keep trying to achieve this and inspiring me to do so.For any who might ask if I know what a "delusion of grandeur" is, well I have a degree in psychology, so yes I do. War is a choice humans make. Choices can be changed. Until someone can prove that the end of war is impossible then we should be collectively ashamed of not working toward a way to end war. War is nothing more than state sanctioned murder. I believe in finding other means to settle disputes, that''s all. If that''s over-idealistic, well I can live with that label.

[twetwe-2009]

Once again you show your lack of wisdom regarding the Christian GOD and wars. You don''t need to invent a new religion. HIS word says ... Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
Tom Edmunds

[aguabug8]

Thank you Mr. Rooney for stepping outside of the box and making a statement that truly captures what it is to be a human being on this Earth. You set aside your personal emotions tied to a horrific life experience and looked at it from what is best for all mankind, your children, your grandchildren, and theirs. I thought this was so profound for a man of your generation. I comend you for having the courage to make a statement that goes against so many. Yes, I am so grateful for those that sacrificed and gave their lives protecting our country, but even more saddened that they had to sacrifice at all. You have planted a seed and each time this segment is aired, may it be nutured along and just maybe one day we will find that "religion" that all can believe what our God had envisioned for our Earth. Thank you.