REMEMBERING MY DAD
Irving, Texas Memorial Park
MEMORIAL
DAY
2013
During my mother-in-law’s lifetime, she carried flowers
to the cemetery at this time of the year.
Back in that era she called it “Decoration Day.” With no car and no
knowledge to drive one if one had been available, she arranged for someone to
take her to the cemetery—a twenty mile round trip. A short distance by today’s
standards, but back then, it wasn’t.
Of course she took blossoms on other occasions, but
she expressly wanted to remember on this patriotic event the fallen men and
women who made the supreme sacrifice for her country.
Before this date became known as
Memorial Day, the 30th of May, 1868 was set aside as Decoration Day. The
purpose was to decorate the graves of those who died in defense of our
country. These men and women lie buried
in every city, village and churchyard in the land.
The alternative
name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882. The new name became more
common after World
War II, and Federal law declared it the official name on June
28, 1968.
Many will
gather today in backyards for barbeque, drink alcohol, play games, and swim in
pools—for many, it will be a fun and relaxing time away from work. Grills will
smoke with meat and the aroma of hamburgers and brisket will tantalize the
taste buds.
Smoke on the
battlefields will also be part of a soldier’s life this very day. The smoke
will not arise from a backyard grill and fun times. Men and women fight on foreign shores for our
freedom. Improvised Explosive Devices will go off. Rifles will blaze. Fires will
develop. It will not look pretty nor have a fragrant aroma. No fun in this
scenario.
May God keep
them safe and bring them home.
Let us pause at
this solemn interval to give thanks for those who shaped our freedom in the
supreme way.
Fly the
flag. Decorate the graves. Pause to give thanks.
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