A Day of Remembrance
“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scares of war.”
~ General Douglas MacArthur
Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday in the month of May in order to honor and remember those of our armed services who have given their lives while serving their country. You may disagree with the politics and policies in our nation’s capital and you may or may not agree in the manner of how our military personnel is deployed around the world but what we should all agree on is the bravery of those who have gone before and given their lives in payment for the freedoms we have today. Memorial Day is a day that we have set aside to say thank you and to remember each in our own way.
The history of Memorial Day dates back to the years following the end of the Civil War and it was known then as Decoration Day. It was called that because organizations and groups would decorate the headstones of the soldiers both of the Confederate and of the Union. This tradition of decorating the headstones was practiced throughout the United States and the date of May 30 was set aside in 1868 to “decorate” because no major battle corresponds with that date. The Federal government recognizes Waterloo, NY as being the birthplace of Decoration Day and hence Memorial Day as the tradition started there in 1866 just after the Civil War. After WW I the day became known as Memorial Day in order to recognize veterans of all conflicts who gave their lives in the line of duty. The date of May 30 was changed to the last Monday in the month of May in 1968 by congress and went into effect 1971, the same year when Memorial Day became a federal holiday.
I would be willing to bet that almost everyone who is reading this post has known a person who has died in the line of service or has an acquaintance who knows of someone who has given their life in the line of duty. We are all touched one way or another by the effects of war or police actions by our armed services around the world. The members of our armed services sign on for this duty out of a love of their country and out of a love for their families. These soldiers go into harm’s way when they’re told and they perform under brutal conditions to serve to the best of their abilities. Many come home with deep physical and emotional scares that seem too much to overcome and many don’t come home except in a steel casket with an American Flag draped across the top. These men and women who pay the ultimate sacrifice for their country deserve the respect and gratitude of all who call this country home.
Maybe you knew all this from the beginning and this is all old news, maybe for some of you this gives you new perspective on Memorial Day and what it stands for. I hope for all that you have a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices too many have given over the years. You may be a pacifist and disagree with what our military does day in and day out, but the men and women who serve at the sharp end of the stick deserve honor and thanks as from one person to another.
I pray that everyone had a safe holiday weekend and fairs well moving forward in the short week ahead, I hope it’s a good one for you. Thanks for reading and I hope you will take a moment to share this and my other stories with the people you care about. If you have any questions or comments, please drop me an email @ wmreid@bhcshealth.com and I will get back to you right away. Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.
Wm Reid
Best Home Care Services
325 N Eastern Ave
Connersville, IN 47331
765-827-9833
wmreid@bhcshealth.com