We Should Remember, Shouldn't We?

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored or neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

There are a few notable exceptions since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, , on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place on approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights.

 

I saw a burial with a bugler playing taps;
       I turned to my father, “what happened?” I asked.
He clutched my hand and with a quiver in his voice,
      he began to explain and his eyes became moist.

“My daughter” he said, “this is rather difficult for me;
     a soldier like myself this is tough to see.
In that coffin lies a genuine patriotic warrior,
an American soldier.

I listened in awe as my father spoke,
      it seemed as if his heart were broke.
           I suddenly remembered when he went to war,
              and  when he returned I thought nothing more.

I never asked why he walked with a limp,
      and I didn’t care about why he was sick.
I was too busy enjoying the life that I had,
      to realize that I had it because of dad.

I finally understood what my dad was about,
      and it hurt so bad I cried out loud.
He sacrificed so much so I could be free,
      and his battle scares were suffered for me.


         That I didn’t honor him sooner, I will always regret;
                  and I pledged that day to never again forget.
I’m proud that my dad was a patriotic warrior;
    I’m honored to be the daughter of an American soldier.

Family, I am personally very grateful for those who have given our family what we have.  Please teach our family well.