Memorial Day originated as Decoration Day after the Civil War, established as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers and flags.
It is the rare family who does not have fathers, uncles, cousins, brothers or sisters who served – or are serving – in our armed forces, who have pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
Many families have lost loved ones in the line of duty. My family was lucky; all of our soldiers and sailors came home.
On Memorial Day we remember those who fought and gave their lives in service to our country.
Flags In takes place at Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldier’s and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery every Friday before Memorial Day. The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) honors the Fallen by placing American flags before the gravestones and niches of service members buried there. It takes approximately three hours to place the flags in front of more than 260,000 gravestones. The Old Guard soldiers remain in the cemetery throughout the weekend to ensure that a flag remains at each gravestone.
“The United States and the freedom for which it stands, the freedom for which they died, must endure and prosper. Their lives remind us that freedom is not bought cheaply. It has a cost; it imposes a burden.” — Ronald Reagan, Memorial Day speech, 1982
As I put out my flag today, I will remember all who gave their lives in service to the United States of America, and in defense of their fellow citizens. God bless them.
Stella's Place 
Stellars, have a blessed Memorial Day…We Shall Not Forget!….
“The Brave Ones” Monument – Normandy Beach, France…
“Memorial on Omaha Beach, Normandy, a tribute to the Allied soldiers on the 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings on D-Day. Named Les Braves ( The Brave Ones ), it was created in 2004 by the sculptor Anilore Banon. It consists of 3 elements: The Wings of Hope; Rise, Freedom!; and The Wings of Fraternity.”
The Vietnam War Memorial, Washington, DC…
“The names of over 58,000+ servicemembers who gave their lives between 1957 and 1975 are listed on the wall in chronological order starting and ending at the center of the wall. Designer: Maya Ying Lin.”
Valley Forge National Memorial Arch, Pennsylvania…
“The United States National Memorial Arch, located in Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania, is a monument built to celebrate the arrival of General George Washington and the Continental Army at Valley Forge.”
World War I Somme American Cemetery and Memorial, France
The 14.3-acre cemetery contains the graves of 1,844 of our military dead. Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British armies, or in operations near Cantigny.
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Normandy American Cemetery…
American Battle Monuments Commission
https://www.youtube.com/@usabmc/videos
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Moving.
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I like that one. Means a lot to me as I’ve had “people” in all of ’em.
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Today I celebrate the ones who gave all! I only gave some, and feel I owe more compared to the ones who gave all!
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In terms of bravery and commitment, I’d say you’re equal, Pa. Being in the Service is, itself, way outside the comfort zone. While Memorial Day is for those who gave their lives, Veteran’s Day honors those who served and equally critical to our freedom.
The only thing you owe is thanks to God.
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Weather, I count my blessings almost every day. In that respect I offer my thanks, but for some reason, there seems to be a hollow or empty spot when you realize affected families are often reminded due to this day. Over time it eases slightly, but there is always that empty spot where a close friend used to hold dearly! I just can’t imagine what a family member might be feeling! My goof fortune is that numerous family members survived the wages of war and returned home. As a member of the VFW and Legion, we decorate the veteran graves at the local cemetery this time of the year, That is when that emptiness hits hard! At the end, I step back quite a few paces and see the mass of flags recognizing those that have fallen.I feel so tiny compared to those vets that gave all! Families shattered!
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I remember photos like this from Vietnam Era. This one is from 2014.
https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2018/01/08/07/jenn-budenz.jpg?quality=75&width=990&crop=4%3A3%2Csmart&auto=webp
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Exactly, the dreams they had that ended horribly! That’s hard to take!
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I appreciated reading this article:
Keeping the Memorial Day tradition alive starts with our children
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/patriotism-unity/keeping-the-memorial-day-tradition-alive-starts-with-our-children?utm_source=deployer&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&utm_campaign=Beltway+Confidential&utm_term=
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THIS..
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