[May 25, 2020] Memorial Day has always been the most sacred day of the year for Americans. Honoring those heroes who have fallen in the line of duty seems built into our DNA. Our victories in war may be important, but we still humble ourselves through our actions. The only land we claim as our own are the resting places of our men and women.
May we, as Abraham Lincoln said at Gettysburg, “highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Lincoln understood war, the death and destruction, the horror. He knew that to honor those who gave their lives in defense of the nation is what principled citizens do.
We, and our children after us, must be devoted to the principles for which these men and women died … to honor, loyalty, integrity, and faith in America.
Many say that we are at risk of losing these principles that our faith in America is dwindling; that honor is no longer valued, that loyalty and integrity are for suckers. I disagree. Americans understand sacrifice. We know, implicitly so, that freedom is not free and that the cost will always be high.
The world is a better place for the sacrifices of our military. But it is not yet a perfect place. And so, the struggle against evil, tyranny, and injustice continues and the roll call will continue to grow.
Those we honor today deserve our thoughts and prayers. Their families will remember them, but too many are quick to forget the sacrifice made by so many. Today, we can honor those heroes, we can be humble in their memory, and we can do so by continuing to defend the freedoms we all enjoy.
Excellent article in memory of those who have fallen.
Gold Star families, I salute you!
Gold Star Mothers (and dads) make up a greater portion of the population than you might think. I will tell you that they have a lot of humility. Losing a child for any reason is hard, but losing your child to war is really bad. Thank goodness for this org and how they help them.
The Poppy Story
https://www.legion.org/poppyday/history
Thanks Xerxes. ?
The link to the flower is something that I always wondered about as a kid. Now, I’m in charge of its distribution as a member of the American Legion auxiliary. Everyone, please have an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day.
I love food. The Food Network has something special going on today.
https://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/packages/memorial-day
“In Flanders Fields”
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
(I recommend the entire poem, of course)
Great poem.
After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Scientists attributed the growth to soils in France and Belgium becoming enriched with lime from the rubble left by the war. From the dirt and mud grew a beautiful red poppy. The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during battle following the publication of the wartime poem “In Flanders Fields.” The poem was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, M.D. while serving on the front lines.
Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. The American Legion brought National Poppy Day® to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day, as National Poppy Day.
You can find the entire poem here: https://maritime-executive.com/features/the-poppy-a-symbol-of-memorial-day
Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Since it all started with the Civil War, you might want to brush up on your knowledge of this event by visiting the Library of Congress Civil War collection, which includes more than a thousand photographs from the time.
I will be attending a Memorial Day ceremony where the speaker is talking remotely. I find that this will not have the same impact but I may be wrong. I’ll let everyone know what I think when I return.
Today is a great day. One of RESPECT and HONOR. Thanks all for what you are doing to honor and respect those who died in the service to our country.
I will be cooking hamburgers and hotdogs later today as my way of saying that tradition matters. And, after that my whole family and neighbors will be loading up in our cars and trucks to take a drive to a veterans’ cemetery about an hour from our homes. There we will plant flags as a sign of respect. Thanks to all those in the military currently serving and to those who have passed.
Right, Eric. What you are doing is just an example where the lockdowns are pushing us away. With much of the nation on lockdown, grieving kin of late military veterans have been left to honor their relatives without the support of traditional parades or group graveside remembrances.
Thanks Tom. I think the way we should behave has not changed. Neither the way we think and honor them. We will go to the grave sites and attend gatherings at a later date. Nothing else will have changed the way we honor our heroes.
I too will be honoring those who gave their lives in service to our country. My family and I will travel to a nearby VFW hall and spend time giving out little flags my son made over the past few weeks. No beer, no smokes, no money … just the love of our military.
I too will ‘celebrate’ Memorial Day but in my own way. I have a large family. We will be setting up and talking via Zoom (an app that allows video chat). Have a honorable day.
Excellent article. I will be honoring those who died for our nation by attending a local Memorial Day ceremony (not many will be there due to the pandemic). But I will take my wife and son along to show we are supporters of those who have give the ultimate sacrifice.
Well said, Eric.
Well said. Eric, best wishes to you and your family. Do what is right morally, do not follow the crazies (often in govt), but do what you will to respect and honor those we should all honor today.
Respect and honor. …. spot-on!