Hello all:
I know you've all wondered where I've been right?
So here is this years Memorial Day message:
A little history mixed with some comment:
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day instead thinking of it as a day off, store sales, BBQ and the start of summer. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.
But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. When Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in 1971, it made it easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day and this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."
To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence.
Whatever you do today, have fun, be safe BUT most of all, take a moment to honor those that have paid the ultimate price in service to our country. Had it not been for so many great men and women, true American heroes, you and I may not be here today.
See a vet, salute him/her.
We are also doing this:
Red Fridays. (read the post on my blog).
Here is also an appropriate photo I found from a newspaper on Long Island, NY.
