THINK OF OUR TROOPS THIS MEMORIAL DAY (Gold Star Mother: Answer The Call)

Move America Forward (Email) ^ | Debbie Lee

[Syncro]

THINK OF OUR TROOPS THIS MEMORIAL DAY

Enjoying
your three-day weekend? We hope so. We wish all of our supporters a happy
Memorial Day, but we also want to remind everyone who we have to thank for the
privilege of observing this holiday, our troops.

While back home we have
the privilege of getting everyone together for a family cook out or bbq, our
troops are still fighting a war in Afghanistan. Our troops don't get to have a
barbecue, unless they get really inventive, like this Marine who improvised a
very crude grill over some rocks.



And
the main course for this Afghanisgtan cookout? SPAM. That's their idea of a
Memorial Day BBQ. Kind of makes you appreciate the luxurious surroundings and
supermarkets we enjoy at home, doesn't it?

WHAT IS ANSWER THE CALL AND HOW DOES IT
WORK?

Every
summer, Move America Forward spends a month focusing on supporting one
particular unit deployed in Afghanistan. We select this unit based on the
difficulty of their mission and the danger level in the region of Afghanistan in
which they are fighting.

We have selected 800 Marines from the
2nd MEF to support and we'll continue raising money until we have
enough to send support to all 800 of these troops, who are operating in 2 of the
most dangerous provinces in Afghanistan.

We have currently raised enough
to help 582 of the Marines

A Move America Forward Memorial Day Message From Gold Star Mother Debbie Lee

Proclamation to Reclaim Memorial
Day

The commercials on TV are calling us to purchase,
cars, furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics or a myriad of other things
to “Celebrate Memorial Day” with their huge blowout sales! Our Parks and
Recreation programs are declaring summer has arrived by opening our pools and
encouraging us to come join in the fun and laughter this Memorial Day weekend. 
It saddens me and breaks my heart to see that most of America has taken
advantage of this 3 day weekend as a reason to party, shop and celebrate for
self-fulfillment.  

As a country we have lost our focus and the reason why we
take time to stop and respectfully, solemnly and reverently remember those who
gave up their last breath and hope of a future, so that we could enjoy each and
every day. We have failed our children by not educating them as to the real
meaning of Memorial Day.

As a child I remember getting together with family for picnics or bar-b-ques.  We
looked forward to camping trips or trips to the lake.  There were a few trips I
remember to the cemetery but it was to place flowers on deceased relative’s
graves who had never served in the military.

 I thought Memorial Day was to
remember loved ones who had died. I wasn’t taught and therefore I missed the
opportunity to teach my children that Memorial Day is to remember those who paid
the ultimate price. Freedom comes with a price, freedom’s not free . 

It really was my son Marc Alan Lee who taught me about Memorial Day . The way he
lived his life and the value he placed on others’ lives, caused him to sacrifice
his life defending his teammates and our freedoms. Marc was the first Navy SEAL
killed in Iraq 8-2-06. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down
one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13  

The orders from Gen. John A. Logan declare “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing
with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense
of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost
every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no
form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way
arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may
permit. “

General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National
Cemetery on the first Observance of Memorial day and then 5,000 patriots
decorated the graves of 20,000 soldiers buried in the cemetery. I am so proud of
the boy scouts who every year place flags on my son’s grave and every headstone
at Fort Rosecrans. I know that many others throughout the nation will be doing
the same at National Cemeteries all over our country, thank
you!

Waterloo, NY was declared by President Johnson as the official
birthplace of Memorial Day. He recognized that this was a city who understood
the real meaning of Memorial Day. They knew that Memorial Day was to honor
America’s mighty warriors who sacrificed their lives in combat defending our
freedoms. Businesses closed, community wide events were planned to honor our
brave warriors who were killed in action and residents gathered and decorated
the graves of our heroes.

  How sad that there are businesses in America who take
advantage of this holiday and choose to increase their profits instead of
sacrificing a little by closing to remember the sacrifice of our fallen war
heroes.

I speak for all of the Gold Star families who have lost a loved
one in combat, that every day for us is Memorial Day. With pride and pain we
remember them; we remember their smile, their voice, their smell, their touch,
their laughter, their character, their dedication and their sacrifice.

 As a
nation we ask that on Memorial Day, one day out of the year that as a Nation we
corporately come together to honor our fallen heroes who died in combat.  That’s
not asking too much for the blessings and freedoms that you enjoy every day.

I’ve read many articles about Memorial Day and heard quotes from speeches from
well-meaning people, even from our leaders in the military, who seem to not
completely understand that Memorial Day is the Day we remember those heroes, who
while serving in the military, died in combat. We have Armed Forces Day and
Veterans Day to remember our Vets. 

 Personally not a day goes by that I don’t
remember our Vets, not matter when they served, or the branch of service they
were in. I’ve dedicated my life to honoring, thanking and supporting our
military and especially the families of the fallen, but on May 28th, Memorial
Day join with me as we “Remember” not “Celebrate” those who gave their all for
you and I.

Join with me as I lead the charge to reclaim Memorial Day.
Attend Parades and community events to remember our fallen heroes.  Take a
carload of friends and family to a National Cemetery and decorate the graves and
remember the sacrifice of a hero and their family.

Thank the family members of
those you know who lost a loved one in combat. Take a Gold Star family to lunch,
coffee, dinner and ask them about their hero. Do something to let them know you
have not forgotten the sacrifice and understand the high price that has been
paid for our freedoms.

Read a story of a fallen hero, watch a memorial video, 
then pass it on to those whose lives you have influence on. If you’re a
business, close on May 28th to honor and remember our fallen or donate the
proceeds from the day to a charity who tells the stories of our fallen or who
takes care of the families of the fallen

. Our fallen heroes gave their very last
breath defending you and they have earned the respect due them on Memorial
Day.

Remembering their
Sacrifice!
Debbie Lee
Gold Star Mother of
Marc Alan
Lee

[Syncro]

[Yorlik803]

There are few days that everything should be closed. Memorial Day and the 4th of July should be those days.
As for Vet Day: Every Vet should be entitled to take the day off with pay. It pisses me off that Government employees and banks are closed but the people who the day was named,for the most part,have to work unless the are employed by said places.

[Vaduz]

We think of them every day not just a few days a year.

[Syncro]

Well that is excellent, many of us do.

Some don’t, that’s why the shout out.

Did you read the whole message?

[Art in Idaho]

The first duty is to remember.

[Syncro]

Thanks for the beautiful, solemn tribute to our warrior/heroes that sacrificed all so that we could be free!