MARK MEMORIAL DAY 2014 BY DRIVING SAFELY, TIPPING WELL AND RECALLING THE MEANING OF THE DAY---MEMORIAL DAY IS A DAY TO THINK OF PEACE

Here are three things we can do to observe Memorial Day 2014--

1. Drive in a safe and sober way.

2. Treat working people well. 

Memorial Day is a holiday. Service workers merit a time-and-half tip for working the day just as you expect for working a holiday. 

We've got to treat each other and respect each other.

(The picture is of the Houston VA cemetery. I took this picture in 2012.) 

3. Recall the real purpose of Memorial Day. 

My father--Tony Aquino--was a Korean War veteran who saw a lot of combat. 

Here is what Tony wrote about war and society--- "One thing that I learned is that the young men who fought in our wars should never be forgotten…Another fact I learned…is that millions may serve but far fewer fight. So, in reality, for many who have served, war is a glory-and-gory myth that feeds on its own legends and publicity. …Another truth I learned is that civilians are combatants in war–embattled victims perpetually on a losing side….That brings us to the biggest deception: The need to be ready to  defend our freedom if we are to keep it. Those who say that freedom has a price are absolutely right, and wrong: International conflict today is beyond ideology. The only freedom American and Russian leaders offer their  people today is the freedom to kill ourselves in the name of freedom.  This is not freedom, but allegiance to a suicidal death culture….Today, we are servile to our masters, mistaking economic well-being for true freedom, which is the freedom to live hopefully and not to die needlessly.” 

Here is the website of Veterans For Peace. 

Here is a list of VA cemetery Memorial Day celebrations across the country. 

Here are details of the ceremony at the Houston VA cemetery.  

Here are some facts about the origins of Memorial Day.

Please read all of NeilAquino.com

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