Americans Asked to Stop for 60 Seconds to Remember Heroes

Rudi Williams

[armywife2]

Subj: Americans Asked to Stop for 60 Seconds to Remember Heroes Date: 5/27/2004 10:18:30 AM US Mountain Standard Time

By Rudi Williams American Forces Press Service

WASHINTON, May 27, 2004 – White House officials are asking all Americans worldwide to pause for 60 seconds at 3 p.m. local time May 31 – Memorial Day – to honor America's fallen and to recognize veterans and today's servicemen and women, particularly those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

align="left" width="300" alt="photo" bgcolor="#fffff5"> high- resolution image [/news/May2004/200405272a.jpg] available.

This doesn't mean coming to a screeching halt if you're driving a car, said Carmella LaSpada, director of the White House Commission on Remembrance. "Just turn on your headlights for a moment," she added. "The legacy of those who died to make this country better is something that can strengthen and unite us."

The request is part of the National Moment of Remembrance activities slated to coincide with the Memorial Day observance. The 3 p.m. local time start was chosen because it's the time when many Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday, LaSpada explained.

She emphasized that the moment doesn't replace traditional Memorial Day observances. The idea was born in May 1996, LaSpada said, when children touring the nation's capital were asked what Memorial Day meant, and they responded, "That's the day the pools open!"

Memorial Day was established as a national holiday in 1868 to pay tribute to those who died serving the nation.

On Dec. 28, 2000, the White House Commission on Remembrance was established to promote the spirit of unity and remembrance through the minute-long observance. Congress wanted to ensure that the nation remembers the sacrifices of America's fallen for the Revolutionary War to the present. Lawmakers also wanted to recognize the devotion to duty of veterans and all those who continue to serve the nation and remind all Americans of their common heritage.

"Congress wanted to bring the country together in an act of national unity, and to put 'memorial' back into Memorial Day," LaSpada said. "A recent Gallup Poll indicated that 28 percent of Americans don't know the meaning of Memorial Day. More than 60 percent don't observe Memorial Day in any way. So this isn't taking the place of any traditional ceremonies. This is something to do to bring the country together, particularly those who don't observe it in any way."

LaSpada hopes people won't just stop and reflect for 60 seconds on Memorial Day and forget about it the rest of the year. "The whole idea is to think and reflect on what it means to be an American and to honor those people died for our freedoms throughout the year, including special events like the 4th of July and Veterans Day," she said.

"The majority of those who died during wartime gave up their futures when they were so young," LaSpada noted. "This is what we need to remember and to come together in this act of unity of what it means to be an American."

She emphasized that Memorial Day and the Moment of Remembrance hold special significance during wartime and the global fight against terrorism. "When you're engaged in any war, people are more aware," LaSpada said. "But our whole idea is that people know the history of this country. And that they should be aware of the sacrifices made from the Revolutionary War on. Kids don't even know much about Vietnam."

LaSpada said she strongly believes that a Moment of Remembrance is a matter of education. "You've got to give the people of this country a sense of history," she continued. "If we don't have a sense of history, we don't have a sense of citizenship. People shouldn't think that the only time the nation remembers those who died for our freedoms is during wartime."

"Patriots Patrol," an effort being developed by the commission, is geared toward educating elementary school students in "putting patriotism into action," LaSpada said. "Under Patriots Patrol, we have a special program we encourage schools to use," she noted. "The children are told what Memorial Day is and how it started. Then we have a story about someone who died fighting for the freedoms Americans enjoy."

The commission created "Roll Call Remembrance," in which a bell is rung and a child says, "We remember those from the Revolutionary War who died for us." They continue through all of America's wars.

"We also tell them that this includes those who died in conflicts, incidents and peacekeeping missions, such as in Beirut and those who died in incidents like the attack on the USS Stark, the incident in Somalia and others who've died in the war on terrorism," LaSpada noted.

Starting this year, the commission -- with the support of the National Association for Music Education, Bugles Across America and The Getzen Instrument Company -- is inviting trumpet players across the country to play "Taps" at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day in the moment's "Echoes of Remembrance" throughout America, LaSpada said.

She noted that thousands of participants are slated to participate in "The Moment," including Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the National Hockey League, Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority, hospitals, retirement communities, shopping malls, grocery stores, airports, bus lines and military installations.

One year, Yankee Stadium was packed with spectators when the announcer said, "Ladies and gentlemen, may we have your attention!" The players came out of the dugout; those on the field stood at attention and the umpire took his mask off. Commission representative then played the Moment of Remembrance video, LaSpada said.

"Everyone stood up and you just felt connected," LaSpada said. "We saw kids tugging on their father asking, 'What was that all about, Daddy?'"

She said the fathers probably said something like, "That was about the people who died for our freedoms, and that's why we can go to these baseball games."

The commission urges Americans to perform its Memorial Day anthem, "On This Day," which was composed by award-winning composer Charles Strouse, perhaps best known as composer of the musicals "Annie" and "Bye Bye Birdie." LaSpada said it's an inspiring song that celebrates the lives of America's fallen.

She said the song helps promote and inspire the tone of the annual observance to connect all Americans and to sustain the American spirit. By remembering those who died for our country, LaSpada continued, we become more aware of our identity as Americans.

"We're becoming a fragmented society, and we really need to bring the country together." LaSpada noted. "There's a lot to be done. I think if we can reach into the hearts and minds of Americans and say lets remember who we are, lets stick together and let's get back to this country and make it better."

Related Sites: National Moment of Remembrance [http://www.remember.gov/moment/about_event.cfm] White House Commission on Remembrance [http://www.remember.gov/]

200405272b.jpg This is the logo for the White House Commission on Remembrance – no cutline needed

200405272b_hr.jpg High resolution photo

[lainde]

bttt

[Tennessee_Bob]

Link to the National Moment of Rememberance - with the songs in MP3 format, plus lyrics.

[Tennessee_Bob]

dang - song got to me - forgot the link


http://remember.gov/moment/on_this_day.cfm

[Tennessee_Bob]

Thanks, Marine.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[redrock]

I have often wondered just what type of Nation we would be if we actually took the ENTIRE Memorial Day...and did nothing but say 'Thank You' to those who served.

No work....No play...just honouring those who the day is set aside for.

But...60 seconds will do just fine as a start.

redrock

[Taxman]

Thanks for the ping, Tonk.

60 seconds of silence on Monday at 1500! Will do!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Say it again. It's worth repeating.

[Carcharodon]

We do it in Australia too. I'm really surprised that its not the custom in the US.

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

thanks for the ping

[RottiBiz]

Wonderful post, armywife.

Thanks for the ping, Tonk.

With so many Memorial Day sales going on, I would hope that all stores will make a loudspeaker announcement that a moment of silence is being observed to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in battle, and for all the men and women who serve today and who have previously served.

We owe them so much. I pray for them every day of my life.

[glock rocks]

BTTT!

[mystery-ak]

Lest We Forget.......bump

[RaceBannon]

I aint no hero!

All I did was show up!

I'll ping the heroes I know here!

[Soaring Feather]

[RaceBannon]

CALL TODAY FIRST!

In Ct, you CANNOT just go walk in to do such things, you have to clear it with the hospital first

[tubebender]

Thanks for the Post. The number of local WWII Veterans passing each week here in Eureka Ca is stunning as Humboldt county has a population of 126,000. My long time friend George V. passed away Tuesday morning. George was a baker in the Navy during the war. My two brothers and one sister served as did my two brother-in-laws...

[Vic3O3]

ping.

[Colt .45]

As a brother veteran, you know as well as I who the heroes really are! The ones who never made it home.

I want to quote some things said about past wars here, so that all who inhabit this forum should realize the sacrifices American soldiers and sailors have paid for our freedom.

About the WW2 generation - "That spirit-we can do it, we can rebuild Europe and hold back the Red Army and avoid WW3- was the great gift of the New World to the Old World in the twentieth century. America paid for that gift with the lives of some of its best young men. When I read the letters from the veterans I'm almost always impressed by their brief accounts of what they did with their lives after the war. They had successful careers, they were good citizens and family men, and many of them made great contributions to their society, their country, and the world. Then I think about all those junior officers and NCOs who got killed in such appalling numbers.

These men were natural leaders. They died one by one. Of each of them, I wonder, What life was cut off here? A genius? Is it possible to imagine what he might have invented; we do know that his loss was our loss. A budding politician? Where might he have led us? A builder? A teacher? A scholar? A novelist? A musician? I sometimes think the prce we pay for war is what might've been."

Lt. Waverly Wray comes to mind. So do Capt. Anthony Stefanich and Lt. Col. Robert Cole and so many others, gone long before their time, their death depriving us of the gift of their lives. When they tolled the bell for Wray, Stefanich, Cole, and the hundreds of their buddies who went down, that bell tolled for all of us." - "Citizen Soldiers" by Stephen Ambrose

And this from a brother Vietnam Veteran - Jack D. Jacobs, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions as an Army Officer in Vietnam. "In the past, many people didn't pay attention on Memorial Day, this year I believe they will. I'll be thinking about the kids who are fighting in Iraq." He says that he'll also be thinking about friends he lost in Vietnam. "They were kids too. They all had promise. They all had aspirations. It was not to be. They died so that we Americans can live our lives as we want. To honor their sacrifice, all of us have the obligation to preserve our freedoms and comport ourselves as custodians of a precious legacy."

[Feiny]

Thanks, I will call today.