"...gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above
them with choicest flowers of springtime....let us in this solemn presence renew our
pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon
the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan." --General John
Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868
Over the years the meaning of Memorial Day has faded too much from the public
consciousness. From a solemn day of mourning, remembrance, and honor to our
departed loved ones, it has degenerated into a weekend of Bar B Q's, shopping
bargains and beaches where only token nods toward our honored dead is given, if at
all. Too many don't know what the day stands for.
Memorial Day used to be a sacred day that was reserved for the remembrance of
those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Businesses closed for the day.
Towns held parades honoring the fallen, the parade routes often times ending at a
local cemetery, where Memorial Day speeches were then given. People took the time
that day to clean and decorate with flowers and flags the graves of those the fell in
service to their country.
"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to
the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and
undivided republic." -- General Logan - May 5, 1868
is human nature to avoid the unpleasant. But we need to remember the cost of war,
we need to remember the price paid for our freedoms, we need to not let those who
died, die forgotten and in vain.
"If it is considered a holiday, why is it so? I consider it to be a national day of
mourning. This is how we observe this day in our home. Because of what that day
represents the rest of the days of the year are our holidays."
We need to teach our children the day's meaning. Show others by our actions that we
will not forget. You don't have to believe in war to honor our family, friends and
neighbors who died in service to their country.
The "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are
beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. 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:
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 falled dead,
and to aid the disabled veterans.
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