What is it to you, this holiday called Memorial Day? Has it become another three day weekend to escape to the lake or the beach? Is it all Bar-b-que's and sales spectaculars? Time off to get a jump on home improvement?
"Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."
The fairly recent resolution of 2000 asks us all "to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day, to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all."
We can visit grave sites and lay flowers and place flags upon the graves of the fallen.
If you have a flag at your home or place of business you can fly it at half mast until noon.
You can visit a memorial.
Aid or honor their widows, orphans or a disabled veteran.
Personally, I plan to pick some of my flowers and take to the cemetery or memorial in town and place there. Spending some time to reflect upon their names and their sacrifice.
Don't live in the USA? Chances are you may live in a country where some of our service men and women have died. Join us in honoring them. Or pause with us at 3:00 p.m. your local time Monday and honor them and your own.
Whatever method you choose, please take the time to remember and to pass on the significance of the day.
Thanks to Sugar for the beautiful graphics to honor them.
Manchester, United Kingdom 4,636 miles from Caneyhead SALUTE!!
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