Memorial Day
Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com
According to online resources, Memorial Day was first celebrated as Decoration Day to honor the Union dead after the end of the Civil War. The name “Memorial Day” wasn’t used until 1882; became more common after World War II but wasn’t made a federal holiday until 1967. For some, Memorial Day means nothing more than a chance to have a three day weekend, cook out, open their pool, etc. For others, the meaning hasn’t been lost and - although the celebrations still occur - the reason for them is always at the forefront of their minds. What reason? To remember and honor those service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Later in the year we’ll celebrate Veteran’s Day - honoring all those who have served. It should be no surprise to anyone that veterans are usually the ones who pay some tribute to their fallen comrades. As a man who is a veteran, with four older brothers who are veterans, a father and grandfather who were veterans and two children who now serve, it’s safe to say I hold Memorial Day as an important holiday. I am thankful that none of those I’ve listed are among the fallen we remember… and I remind others to think about what the purpose of the holiday is. After all, it ISN’T about hotdogs and pools.
I invite you to think even further about the meaning of the day from a different angle: what would we be celebrating without the sacrifice those warriors made? What type of America would we have without the soldiers who fought and died for America - whether it was as a Union soldier, a Confederate soldier, or as an AMERICAN soldier in all the wars since the Civil War? I think it might be a far different place.
But it’s easy to “remember and honor” the soldiers who made that sacrifice long ago. After all, how many of you reading this know of a relative who died in the Civil War and remember that person specifically on Memorial Day? Let me tell you, it’s far easier… far too easy in fact… for many families around our great nation to remember and honor a loved one who made that sacrifice in the last two decades. Between both Gulf Wars and the global war on terror we’ve lost our fair share. In supporting United Nations humanitarian missions, we’ve lost more.
So, on this Memorial Day - even though you may not have done it over the weekend - if you know of a family who has lost a loved one who served - make a point of thanking them for THEIR sacrifice. Thank them for the service of their family member and let them know that you’ll never forget. After all, never forgetting is what the holiday is really all about. We have it each year to remind us that men and women have willingly sacrificed their lives to protect and defend our country.
NEVER FORGET. Never forget those who have served. Never forget those who have served and sacrificed. Never forget those who sacrificed themselves to save others. Never forget the surviving families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. NEVER FORGET.
I’d love to hear what YOU did to celebrate this holiday weekend. How did you honor the fallen? What did you do to remember them? Do you have any idea you’d like to share we might use for next year’s celebration?
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Say a prayer for our fallen in whatever fashion your faith guides you. I look forward to your comments.
Frank, thank you for the good rememberance of why this day is so important.
I flew with many fine young men who are not with us on this earth to pause and celebrate the sacrifice of so many who went before them.
I remembered these fine people to my children and together with these little boys thank the Lord for their lives and for their noble and honorable yet untimely deaths.
I can rejoice, and I knew them and saw them living lives in joy and goodness, their quiet lives were spent with families and friends, their lives ring out the goodness of our men and women who gladly venture into harms way but who for many reasons did not make it back from a flight, from a training detachment or from combat in Iraq.
The men and women who died during our lifetime are no less heroes than those who gave everything to free us from the British or from slavery or from fear.
Lets keep them alive in our hearts and in the minds of our children.
Thank you Father above for those who cared enough to answer the call and who did not falter.
I will never forget. I am a peace time veteran and I wish I had the chance to serve in a hot spot. The only thing that bothers me about Memorial Day is how people now treat this as a day of “sales” It became an event for retailers, people sem to forget what the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Thanks for the article. As an active duty U.S. Marine, I worked on Memorial Day along with several thousands of other military service men and women. Today is a national holiday but many of us have obligations and responsibilities to tend to so that others may continue to enjoy their freedom - and their holiday. Thanks for your words reminding people to be grateful for those who fought for us in the past and for those who are continuing to fight.
R Wagner: My oldest son is also a Marine. My oldest daughter is in the Army. Trust me when I tell you that I do truly appreciate the sacrifice you stand ready to make and the commitment behind it you confirm each and every day. STAY SAFE.
As a retired Army First Sergeant with many years in Vietnam, I have lost many friends. Memorial Day is not something I celebrate - I endure it. Too me, it’s like a three-day funeral. Out of respect, I am Honor-Bound to observe it and remember each and every one who fell. Let me say, I respect your kind words, and those of all the others who sent comments.
Thank you for this article. I think about this issue every Memorial Day & Veterans Day. I was born & raised in an Army family & my dad served for 30 years, surviving combat in 3 wars (All of WWII, Korea & part of Vietnam). I was born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma & I am very proud of being a Military Brat. I had great parents, but, I feel like I have let them & others down because my step-children & my wife don’t feel the obligation that I do to go to the cemetery & pay their respects like I do. They do appreciate what the military has done for our country but I wish they were more demonstrative about it. They are also more politically liberal than I am. My wifes deceased, ex-husband was a smart, good guy who developed some serious problems after being in Vietnam with U.S.A. Special Forces & he never got help like his best friend did, so, he eventually committed suicide. I wasn’t able to reach him in time through Point Man Ministries & it was a real tragedy. Anyway, on Memorial Day I went to the Gen. Doyle Cemetery in NJ to visit my parents grave & to see the presentation by a retired Army First Sergeant who goes by the name of “The Lone Bugler” & who spends about an hour giving the attendees some Info. about the military & Memorial Day. He also explains how there are fewer buglers playing Taps live these days at burials & he closes by doing just that. He does this every year, rain or shine, to a big crowd or an empty cemetery, tired or rested, just like our AWESOME MILITARY!! I got a little irritated for the rest of the day thinking about how much we are blessed with because of our military & public safety personnel & how so many people don’t “sacrifice” 2 hours on 1 or 2 holidays per year to give thanks. My best friend is a former Special Forces Operator & I have other friends in other agencies who have been there for America when most Americans didn’t have a clue what was really happening. They just got to go on living their lives in relative peace. I know … I’ll remember … I am very grateful & thankful to you all. I got hit by a car on 1/3/07 before I could get in my truck to go on-duty at my PD & people told me about the scene. I’ve always known the police & medics would be there for me if something happened to me & Lawrence PD was there in a heartbeat. While I was recuperating I thought about the scene others told me about (I was knocked out) & I thought I’m a white male, my blood was blue & red, I bet as an Army Brat there was also some “Olive Drab Green” mixed in too! I am proud to be an American & I am proud beyond description of our military & public safety personnel & the progress they have made in protecting us as well as bringing hope to others who want to be free of oppression around the world. Can I have a great big “HOOUAH” ?! My most sincere thanks to you all, Don (A relatively humble & very appreciative American citizen)- De Oppresso Liber.