Memorial Day – the Sacrifices of the Fallen, the Sons and Daughters of America
Memorial Day is an extremely sad day for those who have lost loved ones in the service of our country. They were the sons and daughters of America, and they should never be forgotten.
“All gave some, some gave all”
It’s easy to confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day for most people who have never served. Probably because they know it’s the kick-off to summer and a day off work…and they don’t pause to reflect on its meaning as they gulp down a couple of hot dogs.
Veterans Day is for the living to honor the service of the living; Memorial Day is for the living to remember the sacrifice of the fallen.
It was originally called “Decoration Day” and was for remembering the Civil War dead… 642,000 of them. In 1971, Congress created the Monday Federal holiday law, and made Memorial Day the last Monday in May. There are some facts about the day at this link.
The honored dead, the sacrifice that takes us forward
Modern holidays have little meaning to most people. Most are content to grill up steaks, hamburgers, or hot dogs and slug a minimum of three beers and a maximum of…well you know, because they’re passed out cold on your back porch. But that’s part of freedom.
Those who have died in service to our nation did so for our freedoms. We must never allow stupidity, political correctness, inane liberal actions, or the rewriting of history to cause us to forget.
“Memorial Day is a day to honor the sacrifice of the fallen heroes of our nation in such a way that they would be proud of how we live our lives.” Rick Ferran
The last full measure of devotion
Probably the best statement of what matters was read at the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg. For those who are too young or politically correct to know, yes the “Gettysburg Address” was written to honor the Civil War dead.
“It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion: that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God shall have a new birth of freedom; and the government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” President Abraham Lincoln 1863
H/T Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children
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