The “Memorial” in Memorial Day has been forgotten by Americans. It has become a holiday to be spent at the beach or park or cookout. For camping and enjoying the long weekend. We do not always celebrate this day on May 30th, as it was meant to, but on the last Monday in May. We do not observe this day as it should be. By remembering our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice. While I have not served in our armed forces myself, many close to me have.
My Grandfather was there on Ford Island the morning of December 7th, 1941. He served with the Army Corps of Engineers throughout the Pacific theater.
My Father fought with the 8th Army Rangers in Korea all the way to the Yalu river, and was wounded in battle.
My Father-in-law served with an Army support unit in Vietnam.
My Brother-in-law served aboard an FFG in the Persian Gulf in the aftermath of Desert Storm.
My good friend Kevin is, at this moment, with Army Intel in Iraq.
I have met and befriended a real hero. Col. John F. Mitchell, USMC (Retired). He was injured in combat in World War II. Served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Korean War at the battle of Chosen Reservoir. He commanded the 1st Batallion, 9th Marines at the siege of Khe Sanh in Vietnam.
They are all heroes because they chose to serve. While they were lucky, and did not make the ultimate sacrifice, many they knew did. Many are at this moment, putting themselves in harms way for the freedoms we take for granted. Too many have already given their lives in defence of our freedom, and so others may enjoy those same freedoms.
More than a million American service members died in the wars and conflicts this nation fought since the first colonial soldiers took up arms in 1775 to fight for independence. Each person who died during those conflicts was a loved one cherished by family and friends. Each was a loss to the community and the nation.
Men like Spc. Kyle Ka Eo Fernandez, a close family friend, killed in Afghanistan on October 14, 2004. Men like 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe, killed in Iraq on January 22, 2005.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives so that we could live free. We can start to pay that debt by not forgetting, by remembering what they did and what they stood for.
- Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
- Visit war memorials.
- Fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
- Fly the ‘POW/MIA Flag’ as well ( Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act ).
- Participate in a “National Moment of Remembrance”: at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
- Renew a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.
Remember the true meaning of Memorial Day.
“It is the Soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us Freedom of the Press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us Freedom of Speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial;
And it is the Soldier–who salutes the flag,
Who serves the flag, and
Whose coffin is draped by the flag–
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.”
Charles M. Province
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