Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. It is a day of tribute to the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country and our freedoms. Unfortunately, traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.
To help teach 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 or listening to 'Taps." The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country. 
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, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice: · by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
· by visiting memorials.
· by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
· by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag'
· 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 honored dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.
Memorial Day should be more than a day off to enjoy barbecues, picnics and family outings. It should be a day of remembrance where we take the time to reflect and acknowledge those men and women who died in service of this great nation so that we may enjoy our rights as Americans.
God Bless American and God Bless our veterans
9 comments:
God Bless America!
This Memorial Day the Juniper Park Civic Association should issue a formal letter of apology to the Vietnam Veterans for dishonoring the memories of all of their fellow warriors who paid the supreme sacrifice. The JPCA opposed the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall in Juniper. Ask Lorraine who circulated the Petition.
As a Desert Storm Vet I remember hearing of the JPCA opposition to that tribute. I was proud to go to that park on Union Tpke where the community welcomed this tribute with open arms. I was ashamed of being a Middle Village resident at that time. More ashamed of our local leadership.
Are you shocked? The JPCA and Lorraine Scuilli believe they own the Park!
Pat Toro and the Vietnam Vets made us proud as the marched on Myrtle Avenue in Glendale and Ridgewood. I am glad that Toro isn't scared to stand up for his fellow Vets against Bob Holden and his crew of misfits.
Bob is a coward he is not 1/2 the man that Toro or any of the Vets from Chapter 32 are. God Bless Chapter 32 we support you at Keyspan.
I heard Bob Holden talk about Toro, he hates him. Bob was afraid of the type of people that THE MOVING WALL WOULD BRING TO OUR COMMUNITY.
Can you believe that?
I'll tell you what type of people would have come to Juniper to see the Vietnam Moving Wall: Warriors who fought a war overseas and one when they came home. Men who we should honor and appreciate not smack in the face because of a Midville Dodger game might have to be cancelled.
Holden has no honor!
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