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.

[breatheout]

I don''t think we need a new religion, Andy. We just need to put into practice what we say we believe. Like the ''good book'' says, "do unto others...; pray for your enemies; love one another...

[photogeezer]

Andy,

This is one of your best; very brief, words well chosen. Thank you

Doug
Vietnam, class of ''68

[prashantkj96]

After many weeks / months I watched 60 minutes today. I love watching Andy Rooney. He has been in war and one of my favorite reporter. I have always enjoyed Andy''s few words of wisdom at the end of the show!

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.

I respectfully disagree with Andy''s initial part of the statement as I believe and see that there is more bravery in peace than at war. The bravery in war is recognized thru media but bravery in peace is not as visible. That does not mean there is more bravery at war than in peace.

Bless your soul Andy!

[prashantkj96]

After many weeks / months I watched 60 minutes today. I love watching Andy Rooney. He has been in war and one of my favorite reporter. I have always enjoyed Andy''s few words of wisdom at the end of the show!

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.

I respectfully disagree with Andy''s initial part of the statement as I believe and see that there is more bravery in peace than at war. The bravery in war is recognized thru media but bravery in peace is not as visible. That does not mean there is more bravery at war than in peace.

Bless your soul Andy!

[annewestbiss]

Your initial comments are inspirational. I think that every member of the military is a hero, but you crossed the line when you suggested that we find a new religion to not have war. I quess you would prefer that we worship Andy Rooney?

[tomturnemo]

I agree, Andy, their lives weren''t given, they were taken. Were it not for their sacrifice, intended or not, we wouldn''t enjoy the freedoms that we have today. I am a cold war Air Force veteran. I served in Labrador and Montana. Not many people remember what we did, but we do and we are proud of it. No one shot at us and we didn''t shoot anyone. However, the Cuban missile crisis was close enough for me. Our radar site was in Montana in the middle of a Minute-man Missile wing and we could see the launch lights for 30 days during that time. Any veteran, regardless of his service area or time, deserves to be treated better than some of us are now. Whether it was Chateau-thierry, Iwo Jima, Omaha Beach, Tarawa Atoll or Hamburger Hill, some GI fought to preserve our way of life. All of us need to remember that freedom isn''t free. As Thomas Jefferson said,"From time to time, the tree of liberty needs to be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots."

[dblg1130]

Wow. You nailed it today. Those that don''t understand the "bravery" we display at war haven''t really been there. Your statement "We use the phrase "gave their lives," but they didn%u2019t give their lives. Their lives were taken from them" was spot on.

[saleiseca]

Many thanks for your comments. It begins with each of us, so may each of us act accordingly.

take care

[a135s]

their is a religion that has solved the problem of war it is Jehovah''s Witnesses.

[a135s]

their is a religion that has solved the problem of war it is Jehovah''s Witnesses.

[sheepsnose]

Amen Andy , you''ve out done yourself with your words of Rememberance for those who have served and given their lives for U.S. It''s not about a day off , long weekend , BBQ''s...its about the Vets.

Bill Auburn,NH

[jjzolot]

Okay, Andy, I apologise. I must have missed this one when it was first aired, as it says it is from 2005. These words were worth all their weight and I''m glad I was watching you tonight to hear them. I have no first-hand experience of war, as you have and that makes your opinion very valuable to me. But I have always felt there was a lot of irony (for lack of a better word) in all the sanctimoniousness about soldiers giving their last full measure of devotion (sorry, A. Lincoln). Soldiers are, after all, trying to kill other people, that''s their job. I wish we would not elevate them in the tragic circumstances of their deaths and remember that war is a preventable and treatable malady. I agree that we could save the lives of future would-be soldiers, not to mention the millions of civilian lives they call "collateral damage." Working for peace is the brave thing to do.

Julie Zolot
Chicago, IL

[a135s]

their is a religion that has solved the problem of war it is Jehovah''s Witnesses.

[eehawks]

We don''t need a new religion- we just need to practice the one given to us in the bible- no politics, no nationalism, no learning war anymore. See how Jehovah''s Witnesses live without war. Look at JW_Media.org.

[eddieg729]

Mr. Rooney: There is such a religion, founded by Jesus Christ over 1900 yrs. ago, in which he stated, according to Mat. 22:37-40 that we must "love Jehovah God with all our heart, mind and soul, and our neighbor as yourself." If huanity were to follow this two commandments as the more than 6 million Jehovah''s Witnesses do all over the Earth, there would be no killings, not only to the brothers in the faith, but also to our neighbors. They live their lives by these two commandments, and even though they have suffered persecution by many nations, and also the apathy of the World population as a hold, they will continue trying to teach this same World, that, only God''s Kindom will solve all the problems that humanity faces, specially the "wars." Our love for for their neighbor motivate them to do so Mat. 24:14

[baylout]

You remind me of my father, Andy, who as a marine (never say %u201Cex%u201D), will always speak about a time when there was respect, chivalry, and a reason for why we fought for things we believed in; and I am not talking about war. The ironic thing about your editorial was that it followed %u201CHere Come the Mellennials,%u201D a disturbing look at young Americans today. Who will create a new religion when non sibi has been replaced by sibi primo?

[Shut-In]

Dear Mr. Rooney:
Your segment tonight was simply amazing. You actually made your feelings known. I am a fifty-seven year old grandma who''s always felt that the idea of "war" was abhorant. Your comments could actually make a difference. Thank you a hundred times over.

Respectfully,
Sunny Lindsay
Salt Lake City, Utah

[ecmcrew]

Andy, I would appreciate it very much if you would come out with support for restoring national holidays to fixed dates; for example, Decoration Day (Memorial Day) was celebrated on 30 May with parades and visits to the cemetary to decorate the graves of our fallen warriors. BTW, you''re so right: our fallen warriors didn''t sacrifice their lives - they weren''t kamikazi -they died fighting.

[harveymfox]

Dear Mr. Rooney, Thank you for your commentary today. Although too young to be in "The War", I remember too well the effects losses had on our little ghetto in Massachusetts. Your comments were very accurate and most appreciated is the wish expressed in the paragraph at the end. Somewhat selfishly, my wife and I think of our grandchildren and pray for an end to the current worldwide madness.

[harveymfox]

Dear Mr. Rooney, Thank you for your commentary today. Although too young to be in "The War", I remember too well the effects losses had on our little ghetto in Massachusetts. Your comments were very accurate and most appreciated is the wish expressed in the paragraph at the end. Somewhat selfishly, my wife and I think of our grandchildren and pray for an end to the current worldwide madness.

[harveymfox]

Dear Mr. Rooney, Thank you for your commentary today. Although too young to be in "The War", I remember too well the effects losses had on our little ghetto in Massachusetts. Your comments were very accurate and most appreciated is the wish expressed in the paragraph at the end. Somewhat selfishly, my wife and I think of our grandchildren and pray for an end to the current worldwide madness.

[harveymfox]

Dear Mr. Rooney, Thank you for your commentary today. Although too young to be in "The War", I remember too well the effects losses had on our little ghetto in Massachusetts. Your comments were very accurate and most appreciated is the wish expressed in the paragraph at the end. Somewhat selfishly, my wife and I think of our grandchildren and pray for an end to the current worldwide madness.

[wamacphee]

Dear Andy, thank you for you comments on Memorial Day.

WA MacPhee
101st Airborne, Rangers
Vietnam 1965-66

[lewsue19]

Thank you for your segment tonight. I couldn''t agree with you more. You are always my favorite part of the show. Take care of yourself.

[ebethdaly]

Mr Rooney:
Thank you for your Memorial Day reflection. We should also remember those, like yourself and my father, whose war experiences influenced many generations to come because of their survival of ineffable suffering. Elizabeth

Thank you for speaking what so many already know.

Our nations military is still behind the times. I was amused when they went all politically correct and decided not to call dependent family members "dependents" any more. If it''s good enough for the IRS....

But I was never comfortable with the "gave their lives" bit. No, they didn''t. When you give something, you don''t fight to hold onto it, you don''t endure years in prison camps hoping to be rescued, you don''t go down fighting when you "give" your life. Yet another politically correct phrase, designed to gloss over the fight and make it seem somehow better. It wasn''t a noble sacrifice, it was dirty and stinky and bloody and sweaty, and they fought with everything they had.

Soldiers don''t give their lives. Soldiers go down fighting. I am proud to remember the soldiers that have passed through my life. They gave nothing away. They went down fighting.

[mvmitch1]

Mr. Rooney; It is tragic that so many have had their lives cut short due to hatred of other people. However, there is a people that have willingly, world wide, beaten their swords into plowshears as Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:3,4 says. This because we love our God and our fellowman. If no one hated another person, there would be no more war. This has been done by over 6.8 million of Jehovah''s Witnesses. No law can make a person love another. It has to come from the heart.

[llroth1]

There ARE religions who believe violence and war are counter to the message of peace that Jesus Christ taught. The Quakers, Mennonites and other Anabaptist groups have held these Christian values for up to 4 centuries. Unfortunately it is those values of Christian peace and love that seem to incur violence towards them our Western society.

[mvmitch1]

Think of a world with no war. No need for locks on your doors. Fear is a thing of the past as well as hatred. No pollution of anything. No need for doctors or lawyers... no one will be sick ever again and no one will take another to court... there will be no reasons. No grave-yards, as no one will be dieing. Peace instead of war. Love instead of hatred. Winthrop, WA.

[mvmitch1]

BJ; Did your finger get stuck on the publish button?

[mvmitch1]

Matthew 6:7

[shadowz422]

Dear Andy:
Unfortunately, I caught only the last few seconds of your comments (26 May), but it was important for me to reply.
Bottom line. You are wrong. Period. Dot.
I honor and treasure your service in WW II. I regard you as a fellow warrior who for some reason has been misguided (I''ve been a fighter pilot since 1958 - taught by Korean War veterans). War is not about indiscriminant slaughter as your sound bit (column??) states. War is waged to COMPEL your enemy to do what you impose.
You dishonor our troops. They have volunteered to be in the military -- every one of them for over the past two decades. In my opinion, to say that they have not ''given'' their lives and that some un-named entity (implied as the US Government) has ''taken'' them is obscene.
My question to you, sir, is, "How do you propose we handle the current world situation, given the fact that we have sworn enemies?" I expect an answer that is solid and not filled with wishes. Additionally, I expect a reply that apologizes to our military forces about them not "giving" their lives, which all of the combat and support troops (includes all services) have done.
In closing, I submit that I am disappointed and troubled by your comments today. Every active duty member of the military and all of its veterans (you included) signed a blank check payable to the United States to the amount of "My Life". Some had to be cashed to preserve our freedoms. That''s what your message should have been. Shame on you.

[azjack72]

Great piece until your pacifist statement at the end. Mahmoud of Tehran tells us that we can convert to his religion and live in peace forever. Would you have us do that? Give up all freedoms? Destroy this country?
Certainly that was not your intent, but your pacifism is naive for such an experienced and learned man.

[grammawhamma]

I liked this segment that Andy did on Memorial Day except for the following quote:

"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."

Andy should remember that WW II was not the only war...there are many veteran''s from other wars who also had good friends that were killed.

RIP to all our deceased veterans and thank you!

[icepik60]

God bless and hold, all those who did not return from the "Nam", and all others ,from all conflicts. Thank you Andy.

[danrussell26]

I agree with other comments about the disheartening end to your essay. Nonviolence IS an option. It was incredibly successful in freeing Eastern Europe from Soviet control at the end of the Cold War. Poland, Czechoslovakia, E. Germany, Rumania, Hungary, etc., won their freedom without resorting to violence. Mr. Rooney''s comments make it sound as if the options are virtually unimaginable, apart from war. They aren''t, and the history is both recent and relevant. Please think about this and what it means for the people of the world.

[chad55555]

Being a veteran in America don''t mean much anymore,remembering veterans is a all year process,the ones that died can''t see how a person is running for president that wantsto seels out to Iran by meeting them or a women who;s husband protested in another country aginst America in Vietnam. AS WE CAN SEE REMEMBERING VETERANS IS MORE THE A ONE DAY PROCESS. WE CAN THINK THEM FOR ALL THE STUPID THINGS WE ARE ALLOWED TO NOW. THANK GOD(CHRISTIAN)STARTED THIS COUNTRY FOR OUR VETERANS. THIS IS A DAY TO REMEMBER HOW GREAT AMERICA ONCE WAS AND BECAUSE VETERANS GAVE ALL SO WE COULD MAKE MAJOR MISTAKES AND REALIZE THEM AND REPAIR THEM BEFORE AMERICA BECOMES A COUNTRY OF PAST. TREAT VETERANS AS IF YOU APPREICATE THEM ALL YEAR LONG.DON''T WAIT UNTIL THEIR ALL DEAD.

[ubrew12]

Rooney: "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."

Maybe. But many have fought, and some have died, to develop such a way. They are called peaceniks, hippies, traitors, and are derided and marginalized. There is no day to commemorate their efforts. Ya wanna be looked down on in this warrior society?

Join the Peace Corp.

[ubrew12]

On the subject of the Peace Corp: you join the military, you get three squares and a cot, and you get the best killing equipment half a trillion dollars a year can buy, and the debate is whether you''ll get a free college education after discharge.

You join the Peace Corp: you pay your OWN way. Not to belittle our brave soldiers and their sacrifice, especially on THIS day. But people have tried to promote peace, and are always marginalized.

An interesting footnote on people who return from the Peace Corp:

They say those who return from Latin America, return with a strong sense of social injustice. Those who return from Asia, return with a strong spirituality, and those who return from Africa, return drunk and laughing. (Some countries are such basket-cases, thats the only healthy response).

[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.

[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

[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.

[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:

[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.

[mary4141-2009]

Thank you Mr. Rooney for your moving tribute.

[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

[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.

[nmsuip]

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

How so?

Have we been worth their sacrifice?

[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.

[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.