Before Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, May 30th was the traditional date that Memorial Day was celebrated. In a local cemetery there is a grave marker for a veteran who was killed in France. Although I couldn’t find a lot of information on the Army veteran, I discovered he was killed the day before World War I ended.
Remembering Fallen Veteran
While most people enjoy the long weekend as the kick off of summer vacations, I hope they remember the reason for the holiday and the sacrifices made to protect our freedom.
Memorial Day Service
There are many Memorial Day services today honoring veterans who have passed away while serving in the military. The program I attended this year had members of the local American Legion with a school band and an individual playing the bag pipes.
Memorial Day Program
The rain held off so that the local American Legion did not get wet today as they presented the Memorial Day services at area cemeteries.
Remembering the Sacrifice
This Memorial Day had a very different feel to it as many of the normal events honoring those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country were cancelled or modified for social distancing, but hopefully people still remembered the reason for this holiday and the fallen heroes like Private Steve S. Curry, who was killed in action October 26, 1918, north of Verdun in France.
Fallen Soldier
The very cold wet day reduced the number of the people attending Memorial Day services in which we remember those who lost their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country to give us the freedom that we enjoy today.
Remembering the Ultimate Sacrifice
Today might have been filled with picnics, camping and parties to celebrate the long holiday weekend but others visited cemeteries or special events which honored the fallen military personnel who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The American Legion conducted services at all the cemeteries in my area with prayers, gun salute and the echo taps.
Honoring the Fallen
Many people visited cemeteries or memorials today to honor and remember the people who died while serving in the armed forces. The local American Legion Post visited and presented a program at the cemeteries in my area. So hopefully people remembered the real reason for today’s holiday – that it isn’t just a day off to have fun, but that people gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms.
Remembering the Ultimate Sacrifice
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer vacation, with trips, camping, picnics and other summer fun. Some people will celebrate the true reason for the holiday – to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and was celebrated on May 30. Renamed to Memorial Day, the holiday has been moved to the last Monday of May to create a three day weekend. But this year, the holiday lands on the traditional date of Decoration Day, so I hope people remember all of the soldiers who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces as they enjoy the long weekend.
Remembering the Fallen Soldiers
Recently Wisconsin State Road 128 was named and dedicated as the 128th Infantry Memorial Highway to honor the service of the members of the 128th Infantry Brigade (formed during the American Civil War) who served in World War I, World War II and in Iraq. The highway passes through the heart of the area where units of the 128th Infantry are located. Part of the dedication was a 22 mile march made by area veterans to bring awareness to the number of American veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and who subsequently commit suicide, which average 22 each day.
So on this Memorial Day, among the cookouts and activities, I hope every one stops and remembers the real reason behind this holiday and the sacrifices of life, from war and because of war, from the men and women serving and protecting our country.
Remembering the Fallen Veterans
