Government ends program that honors American war dead in overseas cemeteries. How do you feel about this?

2015-05-25T01:30:26-04:00

Since the 1950s, the American Battle Monuments Commission has run a "flower fund" to honor the tens of thousands of American war dead in overseas cemeteries.

Last month, six decades after it began, the program was terminated.

Citing the cost in work hours and the ability of people to use the Internet and phone to make arrangements, the commission said this is the final Memorial Day it will facilitate the placement of flowers.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/after-60-years-government-ends-service-that-put-flowers-on-gis-graves/2015/05/24/abde43a0-fe2a-11e4-805c-c3f407e5a9e9_story.html

After 60 years, government ends service that put flowers on GI’s graves

The commission says it wants to devote more effort to telling the stories of those buried overseas.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 25 at 2015 1:43 AM

2015-05-25T01:43:01-04:00

Why not? They only paid for the free world with their lives. SMH

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 25 at 2015 8:29 AM

2015-05-25T08:29:21-04:00

Note that mourning is for the living, not the dead. Is this a worthwhile expenditure of money from all citizens without any choice? Tax money needs to be spent very carefully only on necessities that benefit all. I think this is a good role for private charity.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 25 at 2015 8:30 AM

2015-05-25T08:30:53-04:00

Capt Maura Sullivan, any insights from personal experience?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2015 10:25 AM

2015-05-25T10:25:39-04:00

I can understand cut backs on programs. However, our government wastes billions of dollars a year on worthless programs and projects. I'm sure they can cut some of that money and put a few million to the side for flowers for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. They must be remembered and never forgotten. Placing flowers at the graves is just a simple way of saying, we remember. Here are some pics of Madingley American Military WW2 Cemetery in England.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 25 at 2015 1:48 PM

2015-05-25T13:48:57-04:00

It sounds like the family members always paid for the flowers, the agency managed the orders to assist. There was no funding provided to do this either.

I've visited graveyards in Europe and have talked with people that work for the American Battle Monuments Commission. These folks do great working keeping the cemeteries in fantastic shape. The Cemetery near Belleau Woods is very nicely kept. The gentleman that ran it at the time I was there, upon hearing I was a Marine, gave me the keys to go down and unlock the gate at the Bulldog fountain so we could drink form it. These folks do great work on behalf of those buried overseas.

I've also been to Normandy and there is not enough you can say about how well kept it is and the homage that it pays to all who are buried there.