As Memorial Day approaches, I would ask all parents to discuss the true meaning of this “day of observance” with their children.
Memorial Day was established as a day to remember and honor all the men and women who have died while serving in the Armed Forces of our United States. Sadly, in recent years, picnics and sports’ events have progressively overshadowed exactly why this “day of observance” became a federal holiday.
Once known as “Decoration Day,” Memorial Day originated in the 19th century as a day to remember the soldiers who gave their lives in the American Civil War by decorating their graves with flowers.
Each Decoration Day, American-flag buntings would decorate homes throughout America.
After World War II, “Decoration Day” became “Memorial Day”….a day to honor all Americans who died while in the military service.
Somehow, as the years have passed, a “day off for fun on the first, unofficial day of summer” has displaced Memorial Day’s essential meaning.
Like many other families, my father and my husband’s father both served in World War II, albeit on different fronts.
My father served in the European Theater, while my father-in-law served in the Pacific Theater.
We must never forget that, during World War II, the United States sent our soldiers to opposite ends of the world to defend our freedoms from powers that deigned to obliterate them.
Some of those soldiers never came home. My mother had a friend with whom she corresponded while he served in the European Theater.
At 86 years old, Mom still has the “hankie from Ireland,” that her friend sent her from his days on R & R in Ireland…..just days before he died in battle.
Uncles from both my family and my husband’s family, also, served in World War II and the Korean War. My husband had two, older brothers who served in the Vietnam War….two brothers who never came home….both lost their lives during that conflict.
No matter what anyone believes about a war being “just” or “unjust,” the fact remains that many of our brave men and women died after answering our government’s “call to service.”
Living under America’s umbrella of freedoms, we are all extremely blessed.
Children….and all adults….should take time to remember why this coming May 26 is a federal holiday.
We owe our freedoms to all those brave soldiers who gave time of their lives to preserve our American way of life.
On Memorial Day, we must remember all of our brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice battling to preserve those values that we hold most dear. Freedom is never free.
Kathleen Rittel
East Williston
