It's important to remember why we have a day off

(My new American Thinker post)

Like most of you, I will enjoy a "family day" and eat too much.  

We have three grandchildren now so we need more food these days.  

 

On this Memorial Day holiday, the U.S. could use a lesson from our ancestors because there are too many people around who want us to forget our history or devalue its importance.  Sadly, they want us to hate the country rather than love its unique history.

So let's remember why we take a day off today.  

My guess is that all countries have one day to remember those who have paid the ultimate price, as President Lincoln said.  In the U.S., we call it Memorial Day and it has a long history. 

Let’s start with the Civil War (1861-65) and “Decoration Day“:    

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.

The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.

Later, it became Memorial Day after World War I and World War II:    

For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.

Looking back today and reading about Decoration Day, I am amazed how our ancestors were willing to decorate the graves of northern and southern soldiers.  It’s a good lesson for those who want to remove Confederate statues.  Sometimes the best way to heal is to honor the dead rather than selectively remove them from history.

Remember what Memorial Day is about.  It's the best way to honor their sacrifice.

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A thought about Memorial Day

We take a minute from political opinions to remember all of the heroes on Memorial Day.  

In my case, I will remember a young man named Nathan Aguirre who died in Iraq in 2006. 

I know Nathan’s parents. His dad and I are church ushers. His mom is a beautiful person who is now working with other families who lost sons in Iraq.

Nathan Aguirre is a real hero. Remember him and his parents today!

Over the years, we’ve heard many messages on Memorial Day. I like this one from President Bush in 2003: 

“On Memorial Day, Americans place flags on military graves, walk past a wall of black granite in Washington, D.C., and many families think of a face and voice they miss so much. 

Today, we honor the men and women who have worn the nation’s uniform and were last seen on duty. 

From the battles of Iraq and Afghanistan, to the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, to the trials of World War, to the struggles that made us a nation, today we recall that liberty is always the achievement of courage.”

Happy Memorial Day and remember the real meaning of this “day off” from work!   

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Let's remember those who paid the full price!

(My American Thinker post)

Another day and another opportunity to make my presentation at GID, a Latin American Group in the Dallas area.  We formed this group back in 1992 for fellowship and to learn more about roots.  Over the years, we've had speakers an guests from Latin America and we hear about the many traditions south of the border, and I mean all the way down to Argentina.

So I gave my annual presentation about Memorial Day, a special American holiday.  My guess is that all countries have one day to remember those who have paid the ultimate price, as President Abraham Lincoln said.  In the U.S., we call it Memorial Day and it has a long history. 

Let’s start with the War Between the States or the Civil War (1861-65) and “Decoration Day“:    

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.

The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle.

On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.

In 1968, it became Memorial Day.    

For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday.

Looking back today and reading about Decoration Day, I am impressed at the dedication of all of those who decorated the graves of northern and southern soldiers.  Over time, we see celebrations for the fallen of recent wars, too. The wars where we may have a connection to the fallen soldier, as I did with Nathan Aguirre, a young man from our church  killed in Iraq.

Every year I hear the same comments about how Americans respect and honor their veterans.  It’s different in most Latin American countries where military service is not something people talk about.

Remember their sacrifice on Memorial Day.

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We remember President John F. Kennedy (1917-63)

We remember President John F. Kennedy who was born in Massachusetts on this day in 1917.   

He won the 1960 election but was assassinated in Dallas in 1963.    

JFK's 34-month presidency saw the crisis in Cuba, the early days of Southeast Asia and the commitment to put a man in the moon by the end of decade.

The Kennedy presidency continues to be very popular as Professor Sabato wrote recently.

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Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day is about remembering all of those who died serving their country. 

Take a minute and attend a parade or just remember the meaning of this day.

We are very happy to see this: 74% Have Favorable Opinion of U.S. Military

The US military is a wonderful institution, from defending our freedoms to developing young men.   

On Memorial Day, we remember the soldier who gave his life.

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A word about May 29

We remember May 29:

May 1813:    The week Thomas Jefferson and John Adams started their historic correspondence........

JFK:   We remember President John F. Kennedy who was born in Massachusetts on this day in 1917.   

19th century:    Wisconsin joined the Union on this day in 1848.    It was state # 30 on the way to 50!

"Hollywood":    The great Bob Hope was born on this day in 1903 and lived 100 years plus 2 months!

"Hall of Famer":   Slugger Mike Schmidt closed the books on a great career with the Phillies on this day in 1989.   He was one of the very best third basemen in baseball history.    His numbers were awesome:  548 HR & 1, 595 RBI.   

9-11 widow:    On 9-11, Beverly Eckert was one of the many ladies at home talking to their husbands at the collapsing World Trade Center or aboard one of those jets.  Beverly Eckert was born on this day in 1951.  She was killed in a Buffalo plane crash in 2009.     Beverly was on her way to Buffalo to attend a ceremony related to her husband at Canisius High School, a Jesuit school.   

"1960's classic":    We remember Gary Brooker, vocalist and keyboardist for Procol Harum.   He was born in the UK on this day in 1945.     Back in 1967, the band scored a worldwide hit:  "A whiter shade of pale".  

P.S.  You can listen to my show.  If you like our posts, please look for ”Donate” on the right column of the blog page.