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“We owe this freedom of choice and action to those men and women in uniform who have served this nation and its interests in time of need. In particular, we are forever indebted to those who have given their lives that we might be free.”
We watched a real good program yesterday on PBS about a family that was taking their grandfather's ashes back to Pearl Harbor to be placed in the Arizona. He was on the Arizona during the attack, survived and had served as a lifer in the Navy. May he rest in peace with his shipmates.
I am going to share a very personal email from a friend because I think it sums up what Memorial Day is about. His dear wife Bridget died in November 2019.
"Because you are among my closest friends and family I am not shy telling you how close I felt to Bridget yesterday. Her favorite driver was Helio Castroneves and she always cheered out loud whenever he made a pass on the track or a passa doble on the dance floor. With three laps to go in the 500 I was screaming "Win this one for Bridget", and when he did I cried like a baby.
She always insisted we attend the local Memorial Day cemetery service. All the veterans were called forward in recognition of our service. Without fail she would push me forward. After the service we shared silent tears.
The day would end with the annual PBS Memorial Day Service. We would both be in tears through the entire event. This is an event that every American should watch.
Yes, yesterday was very tough for me but nothing compared to what service men and women, emergency responders, medical personnel, and all of their families live with everyday. We are so blessed to live among them in this great country.
God Bless America,
Joe"
The weekend was rainy and gloomy with the exception of yesterday, which was really nice. Not sure exactly why, but the Iwo Jima grounds were packed. Cars were parked everywhere they could - on the grass, too. All day until late. I have never seen so many cars. The grounds have been a drawing for many over the past year because it is a nice outdoor space. So the parking lot was full many times more than before COVID. I am thinking some of them parked to walk to Arlington Cemetery, which is next to the Iwo Jima. In any event, Memorial Day here was celebrated for whatever reason people chose. I am sure many were remembering lost family members and friends. I certainly was. I am also happy that the Sunset Parade is returning to the Iwo Jima on Tues nights. It is a smaller version of the parade at the Marine Corps headquarters downtown DC, but they have the silent drill team and the band.
The weekend was rainy and gloomy with the exception of yesterday, which was really nice. Not sure exactly why, but the Iwo Jima grounds were packed. Cars were parked everywhere they could - on the grass, too. All day until late. I have never seen so many cars. The grounds have been a drawing for many over the past year because it is a nice outdoor space. So the parking lot was full many times more than before COVID. I am thinking some of them parked to walk to Arlington Cemetery, which is next to the Iwo Jima. In any event, Memorial Day here was celebrated for whatever reason people chose. I am sure many were remembering lost family members and friends. I certainly was. I am also happy that the Sunset Parade is returning to the Iwo Jima on Tues nights. It is a smaller version of the parade at the Marine Corps headquarters downtown DC, but they have the silent drill team and the band.
A combination of people wanting to get out after a dismal MD weekend and freedom from COVID and a renewed patriotic spirit. Nice.
Like all other things in American life, change is the only constant and holidays tend to evolve to reflect the attitudes of the public.
My understanding of this holiday is this. Decoration day was started by Confederate mothers who set aside a day to decorate the graves of their sons and husbands who were killed in the battles of the Civil War. As the years passed people in the northern states adopted the tradition and they too set aside the day to decorate and honor their loved ones who were killed in the Civil War. Unfortunately, the America's wars didn't end with the Civil War and the subsequent wars resulted in more deaths. Decoration day was expanded to include the dead of subsequent wars. Sometime in the 1880s the term Memorial Day began to be used interchangeably with Decoration Day. Sometime around the late 1960s Memorial Day became recognized as a national holiday.
As time passed after the tragic war in Vietnam the public started to recognize the sacrifice and contribution made by all of the members of the military, those who died in battle and those who survived. Those who were in combat and those whose role was to support those in combat. As this amount of respect grew, the tradition of Memorial Day began to evolve. People continued to use Memorial Day to decorate the graves of those who fell in battle and honor them, but people also began to think of Memorial Day as a day to thank those who wore the uniform and wear the uniform for what they do.
It occurs to me that showing gratitude to those who serve enhances the meaning of Memorial Day and does not diminish it. It occurs to me that thanking those who served honors the respect of those who fell in combat.
Like all other things in American life, change is the only constant and holidays tend to evolve to reflect the attitudes of the public.
My understanding of this holiday is this. Decoration day was started by Confederate mothers who set aside a day to decorate the graves of their sons and husbands who were killed in the battles of the Civil War. As the years passed people in the northern states adopted the tradition and they too set aside the day to decorate and honor their loved ones who were killed in the Civil War. Unfortunately, the America's wars didn't end with the Civil War and the subsequent wars resulted in more deaths. Decoration day was expanded to include the dead of subsequent wars. Sometime in the 1880s the term Memorial Day began to be used interchangeably with Decoration Day. Sometime around the late 1960s Memorial Day became recognized as a national holiday.
As time passed after the tragic war in Vietnam the public started to recognize the sacrifice and contribution made by all of the members of the military, those who died in battle and those who survived. Those who were in combat and those whose role was to support those in combat. As this amount of respect grew, the tradition of Memorial Day began to evolve. People continued to use Memorial Day to decorate the graves of those who fell in battle and honor them, but people also began to think of Memorial Day as a day to thank those who wore the uniform and wear the uniform for what they do.
It occurs to me that showing gratitude to those who serve enhances the meaning of Memorial Day and does not diminish it. It occurs to me that thanking those who served honors the respect of those who fell in combat.
I totally agree. Our club honored all those who died with a prayer and taps. We then thanked all veterans in attendance by asking them to come forward for the branch of service they served in. Each branch carried a flag representing their branch and their branch had their theme music played . Once all branches were assembled everyone in the room sang the National Anthem. It was very moving to me and others in attendance but the focus of this ceremony was first and foremost assembled to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, This tradition has been has been going on for many years and will continue to go on lest we forget these brave hero’s who gave all.
It occurs to me that showing gratitude to those who serve enhances the meaning of Memorial Day and does not diminish it. It occurs to me that thanking those who served honors the respect of those who fell in combat.
I totally agree. Our club honored all those who died with a prayer and taps. We then thanked all veterans in attendance by asking them to come forward for the branch of service they served in. Each branch carried a flag representing their branch and their branch had their theme music played . Once all branches were assembled everyone in the room sang the National Anthem. It was very moving to me and others in attendance but the focus of this ceremony was first and foremost assembled to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, This tradition has been has been going on for many years and will continue to go on lest we forget these brave hero’s who gave all.
I agree completely with the above sentiment.
As we get older and eventually fade away, even this kind of tradition will die out, I am afraid. When the older generation disappears and no longer able to sustain this kind of tradition, I wonder who will carry on the worthy mantle. These traditions which honor those who gave their lives in serving their country and those who simply served are good for our country. There is not much that binds us together as one people but we can always rally around the flag and what that represents. I worry for that day when people no longer revere the Stars and Stripes.
