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Memorial Day

To the editor:

And so it’s that time again – time to get the boat in the water for the first long weekend of summer; time to get out the barbecue and cook up hamburgers and drink some soda; time for the big sales, vacations and other activities.

But most Americans forget how this day was bought and paid for.

It was nothing like the fun things I just mentioned. It was no picnic. This day was brought to you by the U.S. Army, by the soldiers who survived four months of flights and lack of food in the Philippines only to start the Bataan Death March in April 1942.

We are reminded of the soldiers who died at Pork Chop Hill in Korea, soldiers in Vietnam, injured in any of the thousand fire fights only to die with their potential saviors when the medical helicopter was shot down.

This day was brought to you by the U.S. Navy. By the sailors of the USS Indianapolis who, after delivering the weapon that would end World War II, spent three days burnt and being attacked by sharks. And not to forget the individual stories of those who serve until they also passed on.

There are many more examples and stories to tell, but time will not permit.

I’ll never understand how anyone could call this a holiday. I don’t understand why Memorial Day lost its place of honor on May 30 – just so someone could have a three-day weekend.

Since the very first Declaration Day in 1866, this has been a day to stop and pay respect to those that gave their lives in the defense of freedom. Then it came to be an excuse or an idea to vacation or “the big opening of summer” – of all the holidays, this day is the most solemn and should be treated that way. Who in the history of the United States have more for you than the veteran who is not here with us today? I assure you, their last days were no holidays.

I’m reminded of the words inscribed on Arlington National Cemetery’s Confederate Memorial which reads “Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, but in simple obedience to duty as they understood it, these men suffered all, sacrificed all, dared all and died.”

When I go to the cemeteries, I am in awe as I see all the flags on the graves.

And let’s not forget the quote from Winston Churchill, “We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.”

My prayer of America…Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we look to You alone for the future of America. By your providence, you have place each of us here at this time in history to be in this nation. Thank you for this blessing.

Thank you again for America. Amen!

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