Memorial Day 2008

May 25, 2008.   The Memorial Day weekend is upon us.  The Memorial Day weekend for many simply means an extended weekend.  To others it means an opportunity to be with family and friends down the shore or in the backyard with a barbecue and family fun.  To others, Memorial Day takes on a more solemn tone.  Some say that the "memorial" in Memorial Day is being ignored.  To quote one author, "Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice."  This same author suggests that on Memorial Day that we do one or more of the following:

  • by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

     

  • by visiting memorials.

     

  • by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

     

  • by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).

     

  • by participating 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.

     

  • by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our fallen dead, and to aid the disabled veterans. (Source: www. usamemorialday. org)

 

Most combat soldiers rarely volunteer their "war stories".  If asked on occasion they will talk about their experiences.  KOTW suggests that if you have the opportunity and honor to ask a loved one who served our country for one of their "war stories" maybe that too could be a way of recognizing the men and women who sacrificed so much on our behalf.   If you have a video camera handy, maybe you could with their consent record a loved ones "war stories" so that years from now you can share that story with family members who are yet to be born.  Let us not forget that Memorial Day means more than a trip to the Jersey Shore or a barbecue with family and friends.  Memorial Day is just that,  a day for us to stop and thank all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the United States of America.  Doing one or more the above observances with your family members will make the time spent with family and friends even more meaningful.