alive day

n. the anniversary of a close escape from death, especially one involving permanent injury. Subjects: English, Military

Editorial Note: Jim Mayer and former senator Max Cleland (D-Ga.) have been celebrating their "alive days" for decades, since receiving injuries during the Vietnam War. Cleland credits Mayer for the celebration idea. In turn, according to one source, Mayer "credits the Alive Day idea to the beneficent effects of morphine and to an attempt to impress a pretty nurse."

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Citations: 1978 Myra MacPherson Washington Post (Apr. 10) “Max Cleland, Laughing at Life” p. B1: The jokes—from latrine to gallows humor—at Saturday night’s roast were all for Cleland as 150 friends, including seven from the Pit, celebrated “Max Cleland Alive Day.” “Exactly 10 years ago today we almost lost Max Cleland—we’re here to tell him we are happy he’s alive.” 1985 Jack Eisen Washington Post (Apr. 27) “No Small Celebration”: To the 39-year-old Mayer, Alive Day is April 25, the anniversary of that awful day in 1969 when, as a corporal in the 25th Infantry Division, he stumbled upon a booby trap in Vietnam that set off enemy mortar fire and blew off both his legs. 1994 Kevin Harter Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) (Dec. 5) “Return To The Bulge Mentor-On-The-Lake Veteran To Toast History With Comrades” p. 1B: Byers fractured his pelvis when a Jeep he was traveling in struck a mine. Two others in the Jeep were killed by the blast. “Every year since, I celebrate “It’s Great to be Alive Day’ on Feb. 5.” 2004 Kimberly Hefling @ Fort Campbell, Ky. Seattle Times (Wash.) (Nov. 26) “Spokane soldier who lost leg in combat celebrates ‘Alive Day’”: Staff Sgt. Joshua Olson of Spokane called it his “Alive Day,” the first anniversary of the day he lost his leg in Iraq. 2005 Stacy St. Clair Chicago Daily Herald (Nov. 27) “A soldier’s story of Undying Valor” p. 1: She has chosen to mark the first anniversary of the ambush with an “Alive Day” celebration. Such parties, which have the lighthearted feel of a birthday bash, have become popular among the hospital’s seriously injured soldiers. 2005 Jeff Hood Record (Stockston, California) (Dec. 17) “Woodbridge soldier back home”: But one of the things we’ve seen among some of the folks is the point where they’ll celebrate their “I’m alive!” day. Things could be worse. 2006 Kathleen Parker @ Washington, D.C. Dallas Morning News (Texas) (Mar. 16) “Friday nights with the troops”: Sgt. Edward Wade, who has been traveling between his home in Chapel Hill, N.C., and Walter Reed for the two years since his “alive day”—what wounded soldiers call the day they didn’t die—was less fortunate.

Posted 23 Mar 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend