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"Does Memorial Day have any special meaning for you?"
(asked at Crossroads Shopping Center on 05-20-98; published in the EJ on 05-24-98)

Sue Woodbury, Coin shop clerk, Lake Forest Park

"I'm from New England, from a very small town in New Hampshire, and at home in the cemetery there's a flag placed on every veteran's grave. We always went around and placed flowers on every grave. At home, it means a lot... I don't do that here, but we always put our flag out."

Mike Woodbury, Coin shop owner, Kirkland

"Yeah, it does. During Memorial Day, I often think about a friend I had growing up. He went to Viet Nam and was killed there. And my wife's cousin was also killed in Viet Nam. So Memorial Day has a special meaning. Too bad it's not observed more seriously than it is."

Marshal Caluya, Fishmonger, Seattle

"Actually, it does. I think a lot about my mom, my dad, my grandfather on my mom's side, my oldest brother, my oldest sister. They all served. Four during Viet Nam, grandfather and dad during World War II, and dad during Korea. Grandfather was in Pearl Harbor, he survived the St. Louis. They all came back, although during WWII, my dad lost the use of his right arm. It's kind of sad Memorial Day is not thought of the way it was started -- to memorialize those who served and died so the rest of us can do what we do."

Chris Austin, Physician, Coralville, Iowa

"It's a day that we're supposed to remember the veterans who gave their lives for our country. My great grandfather died in World War II and I think about that. But now, it's regarded as a day off. And it's hard for me not to regard it as a day off."

Regina Cervantes, Homemaker, Redmond

"Yes, it means a day that we recognize all the people that have died in wars. And it's also around the time my peonies open! And those are the big flowers you see on the graves."

John Peters, Sales, Seattle

"No. Unfortunately. It's a day off work. I know what it's about but I wasn't raised with any special meaning for it. I think Memorial Day should be more observed, because it's a lot about what this country is built on -- the people who've done their part so that we can be here, so that we have the lifestyles we have access to. It's too bad we don't really have the time to care about it anymore. Money has taken over."

© 1998 by the Bellevue, WA-based Eastside Journal (née Journal American) newspaper.

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