Keeping Memorial Day

[ftwildernessguy]

As we approach this holiday weekend, I try to take time out whenever possible to educate the misinformed about this solemn holiday. It seems that Memorial Day has become the "traditional kick off for the summer", according to our local radio personalities. A time of celebration, picnics, long weekends off from work (thanks to the Monday holiday bill messing around with our traditional holidays). To some, who recognize the connection to the military, it is a holiday to celebrate those who serve or have served in our nation's armed forces. We, as a nation, have lost touch with the true meaning of this day.
Memorial day was first proclaimed a holiday in 1868 by General John Logan to honor those who died in the Civil War. Since this time, our unfortunate history has forced us to include many wars, but the spirit remains, or should remain, the same. It is a day to remember those Americans who have made the supreme sacrifice to keep the United States free. It is not a day to honor those of us who have served in the armed forces - we have our day for that (Veteran's Day). It should not be a day to celebrate with joy and fireworks and parties. It is a solemn day to allow for reflection; to quietly remember those who, when called to arms to protect our constitution and national interests, performed their duty and paid with their lives. So please, on 30 May, take a brief moment to count your blessings and remember the brave men and women who died so that we may live with peace and freedom.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Moina Michael

 

[RvUsa]

- Joyce Kilmer



The bugle echoes shrill and sweet,
But not of war it sings to-day.
The road is rhythmic with the feet
Of men-at-arms who come to pray.

The roses blossom white and red
On tombs where weary soldiers lie;
Flags wave above the honored dead
And martial music cleaves the sky.

Above their wreath-strewn graves we kneel,
They kept the faith and fought the fight.
Through flying lead and crimson steel
They plunged for Freedom and the Right.

May we, their grateful children, learn
Their strength, who lie beneath this sod,
Who went through fire and death to earn
At last the accolade of God.

In shining rank on rank arrayed
They march, the legions of the Lord;
He is their Captain unafraid,
The Prince of Peace...Who brought a sword.


Thank you Jim, for reminding us all, what the day is about.

 

[VACAMPER]

Thank you to all that have served. Your bravery is unmatched. I hope everyone reflects on your sacrifices this weekend and acknowledges them. God Bless you and your families. Especially those that have made the ultimate sacrrifice, there arent words.

 

[3gr8kids]

As we approach this holiday weekend, I try to take time out whenever possible to educate the misinformed about this solemn holiday. It seems that Memorial Day has become the "traditional kick off for the summer", according to our local radio personalities. A time of celebration, picnics, long weekends off from work (thanks to the Monday holiday bill messing around with our traditional holidays). To some, who recognize the connection to the military, it is a holiday to celebrate those who serve or have served in our nation's armed forces. We, as a nation, have lost touch with the true meaning of this day.
Memorial day was first proclaimed a holiday in 1868 by General John Logan to honor those who died in the Civil War. Since this time, our unfortunate history has forced us to include many wars, but the spirit remains, or should remain, the same. It is a day to remember those Americans who have made the supreme sacrifice to keep the United States free. It is not a day to honor those of us who have served in the armed forces - we have our day for that (Veteran's Day). It should not be a day to celebrate with joy and fireworks and parties. It is a solemn day to allow for reflection; to quietly remember those who, when called to arms to protect our constitution and national interests, performed their duty and paid with their lives. So please, on 30 May, take a brief moment to count your blessings and remember the brave men and women who died so that we may live with peace and freedom.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Moina Michael

Well said, Jim!

 

[liv luvs disney]

AMEN! Thank you to all on here (and everywhere) who bravely and sacrificially serve our country!!

 

[stacktester]

Please take a few moments to say a prayer for the families who are and have served. While we're enjoying a long weekend a lot of mom's and dad's are serving oversea's and won't be home. Like Jim said, most think this is a let's have fun ain't gotta work Monday weekend. I'll be proud to have my flag out.

 

[Just Beachy]

I, too, will be thinking of and thanking our soldiers (and their families) who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We are forever in your debt.

 

[ntsammy5]

Too many of my friend's names are on this wall - it was just luck that kept my name off......

 

[ram101]

Thank you for reminding everyone the true meaning of Memorial day! I was in DC over last weekend for Police Week and had the opportunity to see the Police Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, WWII and Korean War Memorials with my DS11 and DD9. We saw many other sights but these were the ones I took much more time to explain then the others because of their importance!
It may seem dumb to some but I tried to explain to the kids what the Memorials were for and that they should always remember and thank those on the wall and those who the memorials are for (not just the veterans who are still alive). It is them who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free!
I will always take at least a moment to remember and thank those lost for all that I am able to have because of them!



Now pass me a dog!!

 

[ntsammy5]

They paid a price we can never repay......

 

[auntie]

Thanks Jim.

In remembrance of Marine Cpl. Kevin T. Kolm....and so many others. Thank you, seems so inadequate a word for your sacrafice and that of your families. God Bless you all.


http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/kolmkevint.html

 

[Born 2 Fish]

As we approach this holiday weekend, I try to take time out whenever possible to educate the misinformed about this solemn holiday. It seems that Memorial Day has become the "traditional kick off for the summer", according to our local radio personalities. A time of celebration, picnics, long weekends off from work (thanks to the Monday holiday bill messing around with our traditional holidays). To some, who recognize the connection to the military, it is a holiday to celebrate those who serve or have served in our nation's armed forces. We, as a nation, have lost touch with the true meaning of this day.
Memorial day was first proclaimed a holiday in 1868 by General John Logan to honor those who died in the Civil War. Since this time, our unfortunate history has forced us to include many wars, but the spirit remains, or should remain, the same. It is a day to remember those Americans who have made the supreme sacrifice to keep the United States free. It is not a day to honor those of us who have served in the armed forces - we have our day for that (Veteran's Day). It should not be a day to celebrate with joy and fireworks and parties. It is a solemn day to allow for reflection; to quietly remember those who, when called to arms to protect our constitution and national interests, performed their duty and paid with their lives. So please, on 30 May, take a brief moment to count your blessings and remember the brave men and women who died so that we may live with peace and freedom.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Moina Michael

Thank you.

 

[BRDof3]

Amen, and Thank You!

 

[bobnjenn0828]

Thanks for that. It is really sad how we forget what holidays are all about. The same thing happens with Easter and Christmas too.

Yesterday we were watching the Nascar race and they red flagged the race for a moment of silence at 3pm.

We did a 5k race yesterday and before the race we did the Pledge of Allegiance led by a WWII veteran and another veteran sang God Bless America. There were also 2 runners in the 10k who carried an American flag and some type of military flag (couldn't see it very well) for the entire race.

It is nice to see the holiday being remembered.

Thank you to all who serve or have served.

 

[JPG]

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families who have lost loved ones in combat, but especially to the family of:

Lt. Col. Mark Stratton who was killed just yesterday on Memorial Day by a suicide bomb in Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Stratton is from Foley Alabama which is just across Mobile Bay from where I reside.

So, please think of his family today as he leaves behind a wife and three children.

See the story here: http://www.wkrg.com/alabama/article/foley_airman_killed_on_memorial_day/73570/

 

[disney4dan]

My youngest son and I started at 8:30 on Memorial Day with the other kids in his cub scout pack going to each of the memorials in the four precincts of our little town for brief services followed by a 1.5 mile parade along with all the local veterans from our town. Each of the kids in the pack took turns carrying the stars and stripes during the parade to honor those who could not be there.

Went back to the campground late in the day to get the trailer and paid the additional fee for not clearing out of the campground by noon. Best money we ever spent.