Is it appropriate to say 'Happy Memorial Day'?

[Blue_Adept]

Taking Trump out of the equation, this is a question that gets asked every year

I came across this piece on debate.org -> http://www.debate.org/opinions/is-it-appropriate-to-say-happy-memorial-day

Which was spawned by this -> http://www.crowrivermedia.com/independentreview/news/local/it-s-not-happy-memorial-day-vfw-commander-says/article_4012bb7e-b485-525e-91f8-7dafbcf81fce.html

With this holiday having become over the years, as they say, the unofficial start of summer, it's always going to be complicated. And HAS been long before Trump.

The Quora responses are interesting too -> https://www.quora.com/Why-do-people-say-Happy-Memorial-Day

For more varied opinions -> http://lmgtfy.com/?q=is+saying+happy+memorial+day+appropriate

[CountAllVotes]

1. Have a nice holiday

How's that?

[Blue_Adept]

2. That works well too

But part of me feels like it'll come down to how people say things during the christmas holiday as well. Everyone is going to approach it differently and there shouldn't be a really wrong response (outside of, you know, the obvious).

[CountAllVotes]

6. Agree

The stupidity does get old, esp. when you are married to an old vet that served and is living in extreme poverty. The VA says bring him in, we'll help. He says, "Why? Never wanted a damned thing to do with them to begin with."

[Demovictory9]

12. on friday, I wish people a good long weekend.

[Goodheart]

3. No.

[Sneederbunk]

4. Rule of thumb, anything Trump says is not appropriate.

[Blue_Adept]

5. First line: This is not about trump

[bearsfootball516]

7. I wouldn't say it, but if someone said it to me, I wouldn't be upset.

[lapfog_1]

8. when I was a kid... we would always drive to a small town in northeast Kansas

and put small american flags and flowers on the graves of all veterans that served.

And then retreat to a relatives house for BBQ and "fixins" and play sports (anyone up for a game of lawn darts?!!)

so go ahead and have a happy Memorial Day... but spare a thought for those who fought and died for us... whether it was a war we should have fought or a war we shouldn't have fought... these people didn't really have a choice in that.

[Snackshack]

9. IMO, No.

To most Americans Memorlial Day is just a day off work making for a long 3 day weekend to do something you would normally not do on a regular weekend or buy some object that is on sale.

But too many Americans who have served or had loved ones who served in the Military it is solemn day of remembrance of loved ones or friends lost.

[xor]

10. It comes off as sounding odd and unfitting to me.

I've made a couple jokes about it over the last couple days because I heard someone say "have a happy memorial day" and it came off as strange.

It's not something that offends me, though. I mean, no one says it to be disrespectful or offensive (intent is what matters most, I think)

[Collimator]

11. It is certainly not ideal. . .

. . . To say "Happy Memorial Day" or to refer to Memorial Day "celebrations".

Memorial Day is observed not celebrated.

If someone were to say "Happy Memorial Day" to me, I would simply wish them a safe holiday. I don't think it is terribly disrespectful to wish someone an enjoyable long weekend, etc. But I would try not to directly relate the word "happy" to the occasion.

If I knew someone well enough, and time and circumstances permitted, I would engage them in a discussion of the whole point of the day, but I would try not to be too high-handed about it.*

My biggest complaint is when newspapers make the mistake of using words like "happy" and "celebrate" in conjunction with Memorial Day and other occasions.

I once read a newspaper that had the headline, "Local Jews Celebrate Yom Kippur". Yom Kippur is the single most solemn day in the Jewish calender, and is definitely observed and not celebrated.

What would happen if a headline read, "Local Christians Celebrate Day Jesus Tortured, Killed"? Alas, some written descriptions do use the word "celebrate" rather than "observe" or commemorate" in relation to Good Friday. Sometimes, I despair of people's insensitivity and/or obliviousness.


* I'm being kind of high-handed right now, aren't I? Damn! I do have a problem!