Posted on 05/27/2005 4:46:48 PM PDT by mommadooo3
How To Observe Memeorial Day
"Let us, then, at the time appointed, 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
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, our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice:
- by visitng cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
- by visiting memorials.
- by flying the Flag 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at usmemorialday.org ...
It is a great idea to go to the local war memorial and read the list of those who gave their lives to the nation. Many cities and towns have stones listing the loss souls to the wars. The stone I visit annually has several names on it of people I knew who are now immortalized.
All of the loser ungrateful idiots would never look at a war memorial. They are too busy being idiots.
It should also be National Beat A Hippie Day, IMHO....
It seems that Memorial Day/the meaning/the lives behind it have been cheapened. Such things are no longer taught in schools nor revered in families. It's gotten TOO easy to forget and to take for granted.
If someone like me, who hasn't served, feels badly, I can just imagine what it must feel like for those who DID serve. And for those who were left behind, when their loved ones gave ALL.
Freedom is NOT free. NOR is it the start of the summer season.
(sigh)
In your honor.
Do we have any FReepers left who will cover it/post pix?
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