"Memorial Day"

Are your flags up yet?
 Are you listening to "Lee Greenwood's" song,
 "God Bless the U.S.A.?"

Memorial Day
 is an American Federal Holiday. 
As a child from the 1950's,
 each year we made 
a pilgrimage to the cemeteries,
 placing little American flags and flowers
 on the graves our family heroes.

 I was taught to honor those who had died,
  those who had gone on,
 before I was born. 
I truly felt love for them,
 standing beside their graves.
I still do!

When we arrived home, 
fried chicken, watermelon,
 mashed potato salad,
 brought us around the table to hear stories
 of those we were honoring.
 Especially "Otis," 
who perished in a blazing battle
 during the "Korean War." 
Grandma would open the cedar chest,
 take out his uniform,
 and hold up his dress blues.
 "Look how tall he was."
 So proud of her 6'4" Marine!

Otis Merle Harwell

For some "Memorial Day" is a time to celebrate, be patriotic, but let us not confuse 
"The Fourth of July" with "Memorial Day!"
 "July 4th" is about the BIRTH of our country. 
"Memorial Day" is about the DEATH,
of those who keep us free!
Let us not confuse "Veterans Day,"
in which we honor our wonderful warriors.
" Memorial Day"
is to revere those soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
To hold in sacred Memoriam.
  

  
I understand "Memorial Day" is the beginning of "Summer," which makes us overjoyed, 
but we need first;

To 
"Honor"
"Reverence"
and 
"Remember"

That's what "Memorial Day" is all about!