Remembrance

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminshed over the years... In many people's minds it is seen simply as a "3 day weekend", or a time to grill out with friends, or an escape to the beach. While none of those are "bad activites", I should hope that this Memorial Day, each of use would at least pause to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, and the families left behind that still pay the price of freedom. For freedom, as we all know, isn't free.
We cherish, too the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
The blood of heros never dies (Moina Michael, 1915)
Memorial Day is, by definition, a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. It was made official May 5, 1868 to honor the Civil War dead, and New York was the first state to celebrate in in 1873. By the year 1890, all of the northern states observed the holiday, but the Southerners refused to acknowledge it -- instead honoring their dead on separate days until after WW I. In the year 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance Resolution was passed.... At 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, all Americans are asked to observe a moment of remembrance for those who sacrificed their all. Please join in this moment, just a small minute, out of your day on Monday- wherever you may be- to give this honor to our war dead, and to give thanks for living in the BEST country in the world. Support our troops, they appreciate it more than you will ever know. God bless the USA.
"The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time" -Thomas Jefferson