Memorial Day 2011
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May 30, 2011- Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and is often a weekend of sales, beach trips, and cookouts. Memorial Day marks the beginning of the Summer season. At least, that what it has devolved into.
From 1775 to present there have been 1,343,812 American military members killed in wars. Of these, 848,163 were killed in combat. Roughly speaking, that's over 15 military members for every day since the American Revolution began at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.
But, what about these men and women who gave their lives so the freedoms we enjoy could endure? Have we forgotten them? How can we show that we honor the sacrifice they made on our behalf?
On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag only flies at half-staff for the first half of the day, and then is raised to full height from noon to sundown. This unique custom honors the war dead for the morning, and living veterans for the rest of the day. At 3:00PM on Memorial Day the nation stops for a moment of remembrance.
So please, fly your flag and make the moment of remembrance a part of your plans in honor of those who gave everything they had to give to make our freedom possible.
~~Charlie Price, a vet
Of late many of us are vastly ignorant of the greatest contribution to Americans and the world which comes not from those who entertain or purport to lead us, but comes from the everyday man and woman, offers up their life in defense of America's goodness and others.
We at home have a moral duty to get and keep our national house in order while our neighbors, at our request, are off protecting it.
A headstone above is my uncle Floyd's. Our family would be vastly different if he were with us. America and the world are vastly different because he isn't.
May God bless them all.
~~ Martin Boire, a civilian