Monday, May 26—Memorial Day

Susan Heavilin
May 25
2 min read

Many people think that Memorial Day is all about the celebration of the beginning of summer, family barbecues and community events. But there is much more to this event. This day was designed to remember, honor and mourn our fallen patriots.

“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.” — General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, May 5, 1868

Memorial Day is a time to remember the courage and allegiance of those who defended our nation and the freedoms we enjoy today. To honor those who gave their lives so that we can sleep in peace at night.

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday of May, is a significant national holiday in the United States dedicated to honoring and remembering the men and women who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. It originated after the Civil War and was initially known as Decoration Day, a time when Americans decorated the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Over time, the holiday evolved to recognize all military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country....Memorial Day is a reminder of the bravery and dedication of those who defended the nation's freedoms, reinforcing gratitude and respect for their service. — The Heroes Project

It is a time for many of remembrance. To recall the loss of their fallen buddies who fought in the trenches with them. To think of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and cousins that life did not allow the time to really know.

When I returned from Vietnam, I was proud of my service and felt like we had kept South Vietnam from being taken over by the Communists. When Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese on April 30, 1975, it was like a knife to the heart for me and many other Vietnam veterans. All of those lives had been wasted with nothing to show for it, not to mention the many thousands of South Vietnamese soldiers and civilians who died, the American troops who returned home with serious health problems that would plague them for years to come and the lingering hard feelings of Americans on both sides of the war issue. Was it all for naught? — Jim Jones

As you spend this Memorial Day, please remember to give thanks to our fallen heroes who gave their all. Be grateful for what they sacrificed to give you and your family the "peace of mind" you enjoy on this day.