Posted on May 25, 2015
Government ends program that honors American war dead in overseas cemeteries. How do you feel about this?
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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
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
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Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad
I tend to agree with your sentiment ... I only wish that tax money was actually being spent carefully and only on necessities that benefit all.
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Capt Richard I P.
GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad I strongly concur, I think there are many bad expenditures of taxed money in many directions. This one may not be a bad one and surely not one of the worst, but its probably also not one to fight to defend from a liberty and governmental responsibility-based view.
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TSgt David L.
"IF" taxpayer money WAS being spent wisely we wouldn't be in the mess we are in. IF that were the case I may be inclined to trim programs that honor our war dead Heros, but since it isn't I would like to see the cemeteries maintained in an appropriate manner. If you have ever been to some of them, like the ones in Luxembourg and Belgium they are beautiful and inspirational. When visiting them we stopped in some small towns to have a bite and sample the local brews. the people still remember what America did and sacrificed. We didn't pay for a beer in most places, and they eagerly thanked us for being there. These Battlefield Monuments number in the 20's in I think 15 or 16 countries. They portray the path and progression of the battles and tell the stories of the Heros that no longer can. Today of all days we should remember and maintain their memories. Just my opinion of course...
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