Is it simple ignorance or blatant disrespect to walk into the WWII memorial pool?

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:43:14 -0400

More and more it seems people these days don't care about why these monuments are there in the first place.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 22 at 2015 12:45 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:45:44 -0400

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member Yes, it turns my stomach when people do not respect what our brothers and sisters have done for this country.

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Jul 22 at 2015 12:46 PM

SFC Maury Gonzalez — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:46:54 -0400

No one cares, theres also a video and photos of spoiled bratty kids climbing on the Vietnam women's memorial

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Jul 22 at 2015 12:48 PM

SFC Maury Gonzalez — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:48:39 -0400

Maybe park police should issue $100 tickets

Response by 2ndLt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 12:57 PM

2ndLt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:57:18 -0400

"We sent men to do horrible things to other humans for our freedom. Many gave their lives in the middle of chaos and did not know peace in their final moments. The laughter and happiness of children today at a memorial is their gift to us."

I cant remember if that's the exact quote nor for the life of me can I find the source on it, but when I read that it completely changed my mind on the subject.

Response by SGT David T. made Jul 22 at 2015 12:59 PM

SGT David T. — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:59:45 -0400

Honestly, I have better things to expend energy on than this. Nothing we say will change how they act, so I prefer to focus on more important things.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jul 22 at 2015 1:01 PM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:01:22 -0400

Sir - yes SIR! It also drives me crazy to go to a public arena for a football or baseball game and have to see young kids running around carrying on during the National Anthem - and all KINDS of people not removing their hats! I have no problem letting them know how disappointed I am with them after the music stops.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:07 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:07:47 -0400

Less than a week ago, I was in DC with my two oldest kids and my father. I was talking about the various monuments and their meanings... dad stuff. Some of it made an impression - my daughter busied herself building the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument in Minecraft - others like the Wall did not quite register yet.
It was a hot July day in the 90's and we were walking by the Reflecting Pool. There were a number of people wading in the water. The kids wanted to jump in real bad, begging "can we go in, daddy?" with their big brown eyes. We were nearing the Lincoln Memorial, so I told them no and them showed them why the Reflecting Pool was there. You could see the Washington Monument waving in the pool, the image disturbed by the waders. "Ohhh. They're not supposed to be in there, are they daddy?"
"No honey, they aren't."

Kids are a gift and their laughter even in a solemn place is a blessing. Teaching them why we behave how we do in certain places is our duty as parents. They knew just what to do without being told at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Solid day for daddy.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:12 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:12:27 -0400

This is what you get when you remove the pledge of allegiance from class rooms. Less and lass people have any connection to someone who has served, let alone would or have served themselves. Less coverage of what we do on the news, because it is no longer the popular thing to discuss. People don't like do discuss it because the topic makes them uncomfortable. Public educators are more inclined to be liberal and pro "do whatever you want" mentality. Take what you can because it about what you can do for you mentality. Yeah it Chaps my *ss. Patriotism is falling into the background as an after thought.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:20 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:20:59 -0400

I was tired of this before it ever started. Disrespect towards the men and women of times passed and times to come is intolerable. The thought of it disgusted me, and now those thoughts are coming to fruition, which simply pains me. Burning the flag, digging up veteran headstones, and various other acts just makes me sick to my stomach. But people are gonna do what they're gonna do and sadly, nothing can be done about it. Maybe as SFC Maury Gonzalez mentioned, and issue tickets, but that'll only go so far. One can only hope someday something will bring us Americans together again, and hopefully it's not something tragic. Then again, when else other than in times of tragedy do we bother to truly care for one another?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 22 at 2015 2:02 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:02:35 -0400

It is irritating and as the Tomb of the Unknown has a guard which tells those who become rowdy, I feel like certain monuments should have enforced security, maybe not to the extent of the TOTU.

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Jul 22 at 2015 2:19 PM

SFC Maury Gonzalez — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:19:45 -0400

Here's another one to make your blood boil http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/03/25/vietnam-memorial-matthew-munson-kids-climbing/70440208/

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jul 22 at 2015 2:37 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:37:28 -0400

Idiots...

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 22 at 2015 2:44 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 14:44:49 -0400

I think that there are 2 things going on.... 1. parents are not being parents and establishing rules and ensuring follow through....and 2. I myself have not been to D.C., however, I suspect that there are LOTS of monuments and memorials, government buildings to see.....and nothing for kids to do. Lets face it....kids are a high energy creature (or they were in MY day....). Hardest thing for a kid to do is stay quiet and respectful...especially if this is their 5, 6, or 10th memorial/monument where respectful silence and no "kid activity" (running, jumping, etc) is "allowed". In the summer, where the temps are HOT, the pools and fountains are enticing. IS THERE a place for kids to run off energy? IS THERE a wading pool, misters, or other "water feature" that people can go to for cooling off? Ok, I get it.....memorials, monuments, reflection ponds etc should be respected....but if people are going to get SO upset with kids being kids, is there someplace that kids and families can go IN THE AREA between monuments so that there is an area where kids can unwind? If this is not provided, while I may not appreciate their actions at the various stops, I certainly can NOT place FULL blame on the kids/families.....some of it goes to the planners/builders for not considering EVERYONE's enjoyment of the Capital Mall and area.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 3:59 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 15:59:45 -0400

I hope the photographer stepped up and said something.

There may be some level of cultural ignorance going on, especially at the larger national displays. They attract visitors from all over the world and may not understand the signs. I know of times when Americans have done similar acts of ignorance in other countries, often invoking "stupid Americans" comments.

That being said, I find no excuse for visitors who should know better, stopping such behavior

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jul 22 at 2015 7:33 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 19:33:14 -0400

I wouldn't consider this disrespectful for people that know nothing about service or sacrifice...it's 100% insensitive towards a National Memorial and to those (and their families) that sacrificed so much for it.