Happy and blessed Memorial Day!
Memorial Day is seen as the unofficial start of summer. It means a long weekend for many, and we celebrate with picnics and pool parties. It is a good time to bring family and friends together as we get ready for summer.
Memorial Day is also a somber day, as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Memorial Day started a few years after the Civil War to honor fallen Union soldiers. Honoring fallen soldiers started in different parts of the country prior to the Civil War, but a particular Memorial Day was started by a commander of the Grand Army of the Republic – – a veterans organization – – to honor Union soldiers killed in battle. Other states started their own traditions, including the decorating of soldiers’ graves and solemn services.
After the First and Second World War, the day was turned into a remembrance of all military personnel who died in the line of duty. In 1968, Congress made the observance the last Monday in May, and in 1981 gave the observance the title “Memorial Day.”
Two other days celebrate our military members. Armed Forces Day observes those who are currently serving, and Veterans Day observes all those who have served.
Serving in the military is a serous commitment. Many went because they were drafted and many chose to volunteer to serve our nation. Those who put on the uniform deserve our utmost respect. They went to war to protect our country’s ideals, to protect the rights and established democracy that is unique to the United States.
Because no system of government is quite like that here in the United States, we can be prone to internal problems. We have the right to speak as we wish and fortunately, or unfortunately, we can speak hatred as well.
Our soldiers fought for our rights to live freely, but we must respect ourselves enough to respect that for which they fought and died. It is incumbent on us to not make a mockery of their sacrifice.
In many ways, this country has spent all of its 250 years resolving those issues that can hold us back. And yes, those of us of more advanced years have lived through periods of great political turmoil. But we cannot now let hatred devour civility.
We are getting ready to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday. We have so much for which to be proud. This is a great nation, and our ideals are the most liberating in the world. We have stood as a beacon of freedom for the rest of the world, and we have stood as an ally and refuge for so many people and countries.
Memorial Day is a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. For us, it should be a reminder that we have much to live for in our great nation.
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