So, how was your weekend, sleep in? Eat some good grub, spend some time with the babies’ mama and visit with the family? First holiday of the year, the gateway to summer has arrived. High School is letting out and the farmers are getting ready to bring in the wheat crop here in the middle of the country.
The first Memorial Day was observed as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, to honor those who died in the Civil war. It was tradition to decorate the graves of veterans with flowers, wreaths, and crosses. At the first Decoration Day service, more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers’ graves were honored at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The holiday officially became “Memorial Day” in 1967.
We used to drive up to the family plot and do some decorating, but as it is about 60 miles from here, and the prohibitive cost of motor-fuel what it is, we opted out to not go this year. I suppose a lot of American’s did the same. Most will raise the flag, break out the American Grub, fire up the barbequer in the backyard, and hoist a few cold ones. That will be about it.
This should be a time to cherish the freedom you have as a United States Citizen, yet to some, today is nothing more than “a day off from work.” With the influx of illegals into the country support for a holiday like this, is waning in this country, sadly if this is all we have, the next thing you know, all of us will be running for the border.
Much like most things of value in this country, it is being relegated to the back burner of the stove, as the old gives way to make room for the new. I have heard of this holiday being described by young people as “War Day” and churches using it for a “memorial service for the dearly departed” (old timers in the church).
This time of the year, I always seem to think of the poignant scene in “Saving Private Ryan” when Tom Hanks, having just taken a round in the chest, looks up at the kid and says ….. “Make your life count for something.” … Always puts a knot in my throat and tears up the corner of my eye.
As The Local Malcontent says … Freedom is not free.
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