Take a moment to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

It began as "Decoration Day"--a day when families of those who fell in the Civil War "decorated" their graves with flowers and other tokens of rememberance. Over time the name evolved in to Memorial Day. Then came WWI and other battles that claimed and are still claiming American lives and that day also evolved to become a day to remember American military personnel who died in all wars and became a national holiday.

The Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium occupies a 6.2-acre site and is the resting place of 368 of our military dead, most of whom gave their lives in liberating Belgium in World War I. It was the inspiration for poem "In Flanders Field the Poppies Bloom" by a Canadian, John McCrae in May 1915. His poem became the reason why our Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) members sell paper poppies each year on Memorial Day.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS THE POPPIES BLOW
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

So as you enjoy this three day "vacation," please take a moment to remember all those who sacrificed everything in service to our country.

 

[FastOlson]

Thanks for the reminder Peggie.
While we veterans all signed the same 'contract' that obligated us to give complete service to the nation, up to and including our lives... the majority of us served more quietly and safely.
It's good to remember (today and the rest of the year) those making far greater sacrifices.
Regards,
Loren
USNR- active duty '67 - '68

 

[jssailem]

Wonderful poem - thoughts. Thank you Peggy.
Off to set flowers at the memorial of my Granddad whom I never met. Cmdr. Hugh Hadley. Now Remembered in name of my sailboat and my granddaughter.

 

[woodster]

how thoughtful of you to post this.......

 

[kloudie1]

Thanks, Peggy..
I like Loren served in a much safer place. On Memorial day I remember some buddies who were not so fortunate..
USN active duty '68 - '72

 

[Mikem]

Thank you so very much, Peggy. Each year Bremerton Yacht Club has a Memorial Day Cruise. On Sunday we form our dinghies into a circle and lay a wreath into the water. The club chaplain offers a prayer and then members speak. It is always a moving and emotional moment. I remember my father in law was a Ww2 navy pilot and my dad was a navy corpsman, later commissioned and was the surgeon for his marine corps reserve battalion. I commissioned my wife as an Ensign, USNR aboard USS Constitution. My daughter is a West Point graduate. So, Peggy, again thanks.
Mike
USNA '73, active duty '95
SV Wings of Gold

 

[Stu Jackson]

Thanks, Peggie.

Now it is our task to remind the powers that be to start taking care our our service folks once they return home.

 

[Chief RA]

Bless you all for caring and remembering "Freedom is not free". Thanks Peggy. My heartfelt best to all of you.
Chief, (CW3 Jim Cash, Regular Army retired)

 

[Afrakes]

Our family remembers Millard Isreal , Army Air Corps navigator, who died in action Sept. 1944. His daughter Judith, my wife, was born Nov. 1944. We remember all those that have come before, relatives and close friends. I believe that is the best reason to have a memorial day.

 

[Roadking Larry]

All gave some. Some gave all.

 

[Rich Stidger]

Many in my family served and some gave all. Never Forget.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Peggy;
Appx. a month ago I received a phone call out of the blue advising a dedication to my father of the newest state of the art maintenance building appx. 142,000 sq foot one stop shop for helicoptors at Ft. Rucker. We were presented a picture of the first I believe Bell helicopter to a Mash Unit in Korea delivered by dad. It was commemorated last week as it took a couple of years to locate family. He helped to advance helicopters but previously had flown a spotter plane at Normandy on D Day and D Day plus one as well as treetop level over the Battle of the Bulge in fog. One day before his death in 1961 in a private helicopter crash, he advised seeing the horrors of Dachu concentration camp when it was liberated and the effect it had on those there.
My father had said to honor all those who died in battle who served to protect this nation. At the dedication, Army Aviation flew due to the hard work to include the pilots/support staff, aircraft, maintenance and logistics. Without them, there would be no Army Aviation. The honor went to all those who had served and I included the civilian contractors as well. God Bless America.

On a funny note, my father had obtained permission to fly an ME 109 Messerschmidt 2 days following VE day and was shot down by his own troops shortly after take off and bailed out as someone forgot to tell that he was flying that plane. It was said he was the last allied pilot shot down. I laughed so hard over that.

 

[kimelmore]

Thanks Peggie.