Memorial Day - Honoring The Fallen
Monday, May 25, 2015, is Memorial Day - that day we set apart to remember those men and women who gave their lives in the service of our country as members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
NOT A TIME FOR CELEBRATION
This weekend millions of Americans will use this long holiday weekend to trek to some distant place for the beginning-of-summer vacation. Unfortunately, most will "celebrate" this holiday without ever giving a thought to what it actually means. This is not a day to celebrate, but a day to remember and honor those who served and gave their all. This image is of the Florence American Military Cemetery just south of Florence, Italy, the burial site of more than 4,400 American soldiers who lost their lives in World War II near this location. My wife and I visited that hallowed place and were very moved by the pristine condition and the respectful presentation honoring those brave men.
Each year I've written about this day, hoping you will stop sometime next Monday and pause to reflect about the significance of this day of remembrance. Last year I wrote this, HERE.
To help you remember what this date is all about, please take a look at this chart, extracted from THIS SITE. As you scroll down through those entries, take a few minutes to let those numbers sink in. (Click on the image to enlarge, if necessary)
PUTTING A FACE ON THE DAY
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN
So, as you pause now to contemplate this holiday, here's a little help from Lee Greenwood.
Labels: Eddie Chervony, Florence Military Cemetery, Jeanette Chervony, Memorial Day
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 5/21/2015 11:42:00 PM
3 Comments:
Thank you, Geoff, for your service, and for honoring those who gave all. It is beautiful reminder of the great sacrifices made for our freedom. It is our responsibility to honor their memory, strive to maintain our freedoms, and eschew tyranny.
In Flanders Fields,
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Thank you, Geoff, for this post. I am in Europe now, and this weekend, there are many memorial services planned throughout the European continent. I'm glad I'm here at such a time. It's mind boggling to realize and see the extent of the damage done and the sacrifice of many countries' people to preserve the rights of freedom against those who would want to take it away.
Thanks, Teresa, for the poem. And, DR, thanks for your note and up-close perspective, too. Enjoy your trip.
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