A Memorial Day Worth Remembering

Andy Rooney On How Memorial Day Should Be Celebrated

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on May 29, 2005.


The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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Tomorrow is Memorial Day, the day we have set aside to honor by remembering all the Americans who have died fighting for the thing we like the most about our America: the freedom we have to live as we please.

No official day to remember is adequate for something like that. It's too formal. It gets to be just another day on the calendar. No one would know from Memorial Day that Richie M., who was shot through the forehead coming onto Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, wore different color socks on each foot because he thought it brought him good luck.

No one would remember on Memorial Day that Eddie G. had promised to marry Julie W. the day after he got home from the war, but didn’t marry Julie because he never came home from the war. Eddie was shot dead on an un-American desert island, Iwo Jima.

For too many Americans, Memorial Day has become just another day off. There's only so much time any of us can spend remembering those we loved who have died, but the men, boys really, who died in our wars deserve at least a few moments of reflection during which we consider what they did for us.

They died.

We use the phrase "gave their lives," but they didn’t give their lives. Their lives were taken from them.

There is more bravery at war than in peace, and it seems wrong that we have so often saved this virtue to use for our least noble activity - war. The goal of war is to cause death to other people.

Because I was in the Army during World War II, I have more to remember on Memorial Day than most of you. I had good friends who were killed.

Charley Wood wrote poetry in high school. He was killed when his Piper Cub was shot down while he was flying as a spotter for the artillery.

Bob O'Connor went down in flames in his B-17.

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’t dropped exploded as he landed.

I won’t think of them anymore tomorrow, Memorial Day, than I think of them any other day of my life.

Remembering doesn’t do the remembered any good, of course. It's for ourselves, the living. I wish we could dedicate Memorial Day, not to the memory of those who have died at war, but to the idea of saving the lives of the young people who are going to die in the future if we don’t find some new way - some new religion maybe - that takes war out of our lives.

That would be a Memorial Day worth celebrating.

[Virgil-1]

God's word is Truth!Read it!It's called the bible.

[dicinseattle]

Thanks for a very memorable Memorial Day commentary. There is a "new way." In 2000, the nations of the world established the Millennium Development Goals, eight ambitous goals to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger, and improve the health, education, environment, and economic opportunities of people in developing nations, all by 2015. There is, of course, no guarantee that achievement of the MDGs will also eliminate war, but there is abundant evidence that people who see little hope for themselves and abundance elsewhere, harbor grievances that can lead to conflict. I hope you will devote a future commentary to this important effort, lead by the United Nations, that could make war history.

[LPATL]

Mr. Rooney,

I commend you for bringing the conversation back to the level that humanity is determined to overlook, over &over again, PEACE!

I pray that people that profess to hold Christian values review the ACTIONS & WORDS of their Savior. He too preached and lived peace. No need to ask WWJD...

With best regards,
LP in Atlanta

[delejones]

Andy, I have forwarded your commentary to the groups I know in Tucson which are Pro-Peace. And suggested that we DO start a new religion.
Thank you for the meaningful commentary....one of the many, in fact!
Del Jones, Tucson, CultureofPeaceAlliance.org

[ocreader]

...as the Brigadere General Crabtree said, "you can tell a "hero" by the direction they run when there's trouble"!!!!! that was said in reference to the media's description of heroes in the sports world!

[bluesky36]

...best words i've ever heard about memorial day.

[noyoaz]

Hi Andy,
My husband and I look forward to your segment each week. The many years you have been actively reporting news brings much insightful experience to your pieces, and for that we are grateful. I am not usually moved to respond to your pieces, until this past week and the segment you aired on May 25, 2009. I cannot help but tell you that, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, we have taken war out of, not only OUR lives, but of all those whom WE co-exist with. We will not fight, we will not participate in war. We remain neutral. We will die rather than compromise our standing before our God, Jehovah and His teachings from His Holy Word the Bible @ Exodus 20: 13 "Thou shalt not kill (murder).
Jehovah's Witnesses are over 7 millions strong WORLDWIDE, unitedly doing what God admonishes ALL humans to do, with over 7 million more people worldwide, who are responding to our message of love and peace. We have ourselves learned, and are therefore compelled to do, exactly what you ended your segment with, teaching ourselves and others to "learn war no more" (Isaiah 2:4). We are not a "new religion" nor are we popular for our stand. However one cannot preach and teach of no more war, without living it, and thereby not participating in war of any sort... worldwide. We teach and preach what Jesus did, to LOVE your neighbor, (Mark 12:31) to TEACH peace (Matt 5:44), and to PREACH the Kingdom of God ( Matt 24:14). That Kingdom (Government) alone will for once and for all time bring relief to mankinds suffering and remove the ravages of war and other atrocities that mankind suffers from (Rev 21: 3&4). No matter what you choose to do with this information, I felt highly compelled to respond to your piece, in order that you KNOW FOR A FACT that what YOU wished for, for all those who have given up there lives in death to war, will NOT be forgotten, God never forgets! There is already in place a worldwide organization successfully endeavoring to do God's will in learning war no more and practicing peace throughout the earth. May you find comfort in this, and I hope that you read the Scriptures sighted above from your own copy of the Bible, in order to prove to yourself that living the teachings from God's word, enhance our lives as Jehovah's Witnesses, and also the lives of ALL those around us.
I am so happy to be able to share this "Good News" with you!
Warm regards
N. Youngblood
One of Jehovah's Witnesses

[ZBelcher]

Dear Mr. Rooney:

I am responding to your commentary of May 25th. For centuries, religion has been the back bone of all wars that has caused the loss of many lives. With this in mind, I'd like you to consider this question. If religion is supposed to be about love and peace, why do wars exist? One reason is because religion is not living up to the standards as set according to the Bible. This standard is found at Isaiah 2:4 which states in part that "nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore." This scripture, along with the other scriptural points below, have been dismissed by the religions of the world and, therefore, they are not identified as a true religion.

Teachings are based on the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16, 17)
Worship Jehovah God and make his name known (Psalm 83:18; Matthew 4:10; John 17:6)
Have a genuine love among its members (John 13:35)
Accept Jesus as the Son of God and mankind's salvation (John 3:36)
Remain separate from all aspects of the world - including neutrality in political affairs (John 18:36)
Preach about God's Kingdom - the means He will use to end wars (Matthew 24:14)

In short, a "new religion" is not necessary because the one that will "take war out of our lives" already exists.

Z. Belcher
One of Jehovah's Witnesses

[sarcastical]

Where our voters are at fault is that
Ronald Reagan was voted for,,
Wanting an actor as a president.
Reagan be an ACTOR, not an experienced politician.
The same be proven with Calfiornia politics.
Andy would do better in voth cases.

[sarcastical]

(but) "war out of our lives" would have to be considered of debating against union workers for the manufacturing unions for aircraft, ammunition, uniforms, etc.
As there are special interest workers & organizations, (of our USA side) that support in having wars.
Or else they not have income/occupations.

[fancynumberone]

Dear Andy,
Your comments on Memorial Day were so very true! The day has lost its meaning in so many ways, such as "the start of summer", "lets barbeque", an "extra day off", "the Indy 500 day", etc. The use of the phrase "gave their lives" was shot down by your statement that "their lives were taken from them" and I have always wanted to hear that said by someone other than myself. The idea of a new religion that would take war out of our lives is a brave but true statement which will probably draw a great deal of criticism aimed at you and CBS news. Somehow, I suspect that such a thing would not bother youi at all. Keep up the flow of perceptive and wise reports you are so well known for. You are the bright spot in my Sunday television viewing session!

[Lonmiloduquette]

God bless you Andy Rooney. It was time someone had the simple common sense and honest decency to say what we all are thinking deep inside when we hear the smugly living talk about our service men and women who "gave their lives" to the insanity of war. We do indeed need some kind of new religion that takes war out of our lives.

[dking54]

Every day is Memorial Day for my family. My nephew was killed in Irag in 2006. The following is a poem his 13 year old sister recently wrote:
April 28, 2009
To my brother ;
- I wrote it just for him.

Sometimes I just wish
That you?d walk through the door
Flash your big white smile
Drop your bags upon the floor
Wrap your arms around me
And squeeze me wicked tight
Just like you always used to
Reassure me you?re alright.

I very often wonder
About when I have kids
And all the stuff I?ll tell them
About all the things you did
Not make you out to be perfect
But all your sins I?ll rid.

I constantly imagine
How wonderful it?d be
To live another day
With you here by me
And just to hear your voice again
Would be ever-so nice
Or listen to your stories
I?d have you tell them twice.

How bad I truly miss you
No one will ever know
Nobody can replace you
I wish you didn?t go
You are an inspiration
What bravery you show
You left this earth in honor
You are a true hero.

Now you guard the gates above me
And up to you I look
I hope that God made the right choice
For what a life he took
I just cannot explain
How truly glad I am
That you are my brother
The eldest of the Klan
Who lived life a kid at heart
But gave it up a man. ~V. King

[fetsom]

There is, in fact, "...a new religion that takes war out of our lives." It's called the Baha'i Faith. The principle of peace and the oneness of humankind is the pivot around which all the teachings of the Baha'i Faith revolve.
See: www.us.bahai.org. and click on "What we believe"
Robert

[tomas63]

MAYBE... we should find a new religion ?
There is ONLY one real religion, just like there is one real God.
Jesus teached us the ways of the Cathlic Church.

Maybe are leaders , shouldn't try to be a hero, and this world WOULD be a better place.
MAYBE we should ALL goto church on this day, and PRAY for no war.

LETS TALK ABOUT ABORTION ,............ AND HOW THAT IS TAKING LIVES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANDY....... THIS IS THE LAST TIME I WATCH YOU.

[nshmagin]

DEAR ANDY.......LOVED YOUR PIECE.....I TRY TO TREAT ... ALL PEOPLE AS FRIENDS.....[INSTEAD OF ENEMIES.........I DO NOT LIKE SAYING THIS BUT.....SIMPLY STATED ....ALL WARS=ALL HUMANS ARE MENTALLY FLAWED

[nshmagin]

Dear Andy...I loved the end of your piece....If you can organize it I will join....I try to TREAT ALL PEOPLE AS FRIENDS INSTEAD OF ENEMIES .....but I hate to say this.;..simply stated....ALL WARS=ALL HUMANS ARE MENTALLY FLAWED.....

[JoeBKathA]

Dear Andy, As a Veteran, and son of a Veteran, and having, Uncles, as Veterans, I find it offensive that on, Memorial Day, companies and business, use that day to promote, sales. Memorial Day, shouldn't be used in their advertizing or at least just have the name of the company and address. Sincerely, Joe Battito

[Sawbuck1]

Dear Mr Rooney, As a Veteran (US Army), the son of a Veteran (WWII US Army) the grandson of a Veteran (US Army WWI) and the greatgrand son of a Veteran (CSA Army) I just wanted to take a moment of your time to say Thank You for the wonderful piece you did on 60 Minutes last evening, Sun. May 24, 2009. I will always honor the aformentioned Veterans on Memorial Day until my day of reckoning comes and then I hope my Daughter will carry on this tradition in my family. I hope that some day everyone will understand what Memorial Day is all about and will bow their heads and place their hand over their hearts in rememberance of all who have gone before. You are so right when you said their lives were not given but taken away and that statement should be printed on each and every death certificate issued for a Veteran who lost his or her life while in the military service. Thanks again for being so thoughtful to all my Veteran family members both living and deceased. Arnold Mink

[sarcastical]

Andy's quote: "If we don't find some new way; some new religion - maybe."
As so long there be different religions, and difference of beliefs in different religions ---
there will be war.
The Bible has proven it.
The journalists inform us of the war status.
(I am not a religious person, nor am I endorsing the Bible. Nor am I endorsing the opposite side.)
As so long there be different political beliefs, war has been.
The Bible be a legit source of history.
As is the U.S. Constitution. We know how the U.S. courts base decisions on the U.S. Constitution.
As immigration further increase into the U.S. -- may it be that the Bible will be used as the norm, in addition to the U.S. constitution??
Religion & Politics don't mix in peace; be it the world (as the mideast be non-stop fighting there)
Nor in the modern world.
In the U.S, especially -- religion & politics = $
Andy work for the media: The media has much power in the USA over society's mindsets.
Maybe Andy can help find "Some New Way."