Happy Memorial Day

Friends,

Writing a Memorial Day post is tough.  If I talk about veterans of one war, I feel as though I have left out veterans from other wars as well as veterans who did not serve during wartime.  If I mention some of my family's veterans then I might leave out others.  I would never do that intentionally, of course, but it would still happen nonetheless.  So let me first start by saying thank you to all veterans living and dead who have served throughout our nation's history right up to our present day conflicts.  You have the thanks of a grateful nation. And if there may be some in the nation who are not grateful, which is their right after all, feel free to kick them in the unmentionables.

When it comes to remembrance, I have two favorite things.  One is the song "Green Fields of France" which was originally composed by Eric Bogle.  To truly appreciate the song, you must listen to the version of it recorded by the Dropkick Murphys.  Whereas I am the Half A$$ Historian, they are the most bada$$ or bands!  Here is a really cool video of the song with images from World War One.  Please take five minutes out of your Memorial Day Weekend to watch it.  Also, I am fond of the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, a Canadian doctor serving in World War 1.  Who can forget the image created by the phrase "In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row"?  McCrae died of pneumonia in January 1918 and never knew how popular his poem would become or the fact that in Europe poppies are used as a way to commemorate World War 1.

So take time out of your busy weekend to thank a veteran if you know one and if you don't, ask around and I'm sure you'll find one to thank.  I have a soft spot in my heart for our nation's Vietnam vets because of how they were treated.  I'd like to extend a particular thanks to them.

My name is Lee Hutch and I am a Half A$$ Historian who salutes our nation's veterans on Memorial Day.

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