MEMORIAL DAY

Supermarket flyers scream out at you, “Memorial Day Sale!” Hardware stores, dress shops, discount stores; all proclaim “Save on Memorial Day Sales!”

Red, white and blue ink is not spared -- store owners dish out extra big bucks to pay for the additional ink charges. They don't mind, knowing they’ll make it up with the color of green over “the three-day holiday!”

Does the average American know why there is Memorial Day? Do our children know why there is Memorial Day? Seems almost everyone thinks it’s a day to drink beer and soda, roast hot-dogs, eat chips, water ski on the lakes, go camping, and have on-going parties.

The official Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, was first widely observed on May 30, 1868. John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), inaugurated the observance of the first Memorial Day in honor of fallen soldiers of the Civil War. The GAR was the largest organization of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Our Veterans are now honored the last Monday of every May. At every cemetery across our nation, flags are placed on the graves of every U.S. Veteran. Parades are held to honor these men and women. Flowers are placed on the gravesites by families and loved ones.

For many it is a somber weekend. For those who lost members of their family, a beloved friend, or feel the deep ache of love for our United States of America. Memorial Day is serious for us. We fly our flags. Almost always, I cry. The feeling inside is so deep; the love for these Veterans and for our United States, is so great I can no longer hold it all in. I sob.

When I see the Veterans of prior Wars march past me, some in wheelchairs, holding the U. S. Flag, wearing their uniform of decades ago, I am brought to tears. Their faces show pride and seriousness. These Veterans were “over there.” They experienced those wars. They know, but for the grace of God, they would have been honored on this Memorial Day with a flag near their marble stone.

A litany of quotations is appropriate for Memorial Day. Calvin Coolidge said, “Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.”

We all remember from school, Nathan Hale’s quotation, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural speech said, “Ask not what your country can do for you: Ask what you can do for your country.”

Daniel Webster’s words: “Let it be borne on the flag under which we rally in every exigency, that we have one country, one constitution, one destiny,” bring to life the full meaning of Memorial Day, Veterans and the United States of America.

This Memorial Day take a few minutes to reflect on those who cannot be with us. Those Veterans who fought for our country. Fly the Stars and Stripes while you are barbecuing, fly it on your ski boat, on your trailers and tents. Let America know we love her and those who have fallen for all of us. Respect the original intention behind Memorial Day.