On Memorial Day, we pause to remember those who have given their life for this Republic, and the cost of building and preserving it. This is a day that often loses its true meaning to the barbecues and festivities that replace going to work. Memorial Day began as a springtime day for decorating the graves of those who died in the American Civil War with flowers; a day of memorial for those on both sides of the conflict. In life, they were English, German, French, and Irish, Christians, non-believers, and Jew, home born and immigrant, slaver and slave. But in death, they were all Americans. If we could but recognize that truth, perhaps our political discourse could be more focused on the issues and less on demonizing those who disagree with us.
Shelter those who defend our nation;
Protect them from harm.
Be with them in their efforts.
Grant healing to those who are wounded,
and swift deliverance for those taken by an enemy.
Grant consolation to those who mourn,
and eternal life to those who have fallen.
May it be Your will that hostilities cease;
That those who serve may return to their families.
May the vision be fulfilled:
Let nation not lift up sword against nation nor learn war anymore.
Just got home from a Memorial Day ceremony at the 45th Infantry Division Museum in OKC. Our band played the patriot marches and honors that it does each year. Here’s a video from last year.
For the past couple of years, I've made sure not to wear anything that identifies me as a veteran on Memorial Day. It's not that I have anything against Memorial Day and what it is supposed to mean. It's because I don't want people who have no clue coming up and thanking me for my service on Memorial Day.
Too many U.S. citizens look at Memorial Day as a day of celebration, a day for lighting up the grill and drinking a lot of cold alcoholic beverages. They go out of their way to tell veterans and active duty personnel, "Happy Memorial Day and Thank You For Your Service." Ask people what Memorial Day is about and you get more saying that's when the Indianapolis 500 is held than it is to honor the MILITARY personnel we have lost in the line of duty.
Every year my family meets up with other scouts & scouters at our local cemetery to place flags on headstones. It opens up some really great conversations with the scouts as we place flags on graves from the civil war up through Afghanistan. It teaches the kids to be reverent, and that memorial day is more than a day off from school or time to BBQ with family. It's been a tradition my family looks forward to every year. I hope everyone had a great one!
Comments
On Memorial Day, we pause to remember those who have given their life for this Republic, and the cost of building and preserving it. This is a day that often loses its true meaning to the barbecues and festivities that replace going to work. Memorial Day began as a springtime day for decorating the graves of those who died in the American Civil War with flowers; a day of memorial for those on both sides of the conflict. In life, they were English, German, French, and Irish, Christians, non-believers, and Jew, home born and immigrant, slaver and slave. But in death, they were all Americans. If we could but recognize that truth, perhaps our political discourse could be more focused on the issues and less on demonizing those who disagree with us.
Shelter those who defend our nation;
Protect them from harm.
Be with them in their efforts.
Grant healing to those who are wounded,
and swift deliverance for those taken by an enemy.
Grant consolation to those who mourn,
and eternal life to those who have fallen.
May it be Your will that hostilities cease;
That those who serve may return to their families.
May the vision be fulfilled:
Let nation not lift up sword against nation nor learn war anymore.
Amen
https://kfor.com/2018/05/28/45th-infantry-division-museum-in-oklahoma-city-holds-memorial-day-ceremony/
Happy Memorial Day, Pipe Community!
Too many U.S. citizens look at Memorial Day as a day of celebration, a day for lighting up the grill and drinking a lot of cold alcoholic beverages. They go out of their way to tell veterans and active duty personnel, "Happy Memorial Day and Thank You For Your Service." Ask people what Memorial Day is about and you get more saying that's when the Indianapolis 500 is held than it is to honor the MILITARY personnel we have lost in the line of duty.
That is not what Memorial Day is about.
And that is my rant for the day.