That's what millions of Americans will be saying on May 27th, as we enjoy a traditional three day weekend that launches swimming pool openings, picnic season, car cruises and garden planting.
Many, though, including those who served in the military or lost a loved one in service, know that this is more than an excuse for an extra day off. It's a time to remember and honor those who have sacrificed greatly for our freedom.
There is considerable discussion about how Memorial Day was started. For many years, it was actually known as Decoration Day - when the graves of veterans were festooned with American Flags and arms full of beautiful flowers.
Personally, that fits with our family tradition in observing the reverent side of the holiday. My grandfather served with infantry troops fighting in France in World War I, and my father did the same in World War II. Their graves are both in our family plot under hundred year old oak trees on a hill top in a large cemetery in Pittsburgh.
My mother would always insist upon she and I visiting the cemetery on Memorial Day equipped with a lawn rake, grass clippers, a broom and cleaning supplies. As we approached the plot from a distance, we were gratified with the beauty of the setting. But that changed, a bit, as we arrived to see the state of the individual grave plots. They were usually strewn with downed twigs and branches, acorns and other debris.
We'd immediately spring to action fueled by righteous indignation about those conditions. It never took us more than fifteen minutes to render the graves pristine with granite and bronze name plates buffed and shining. Then we'd get quiet and reflect for a moment.
I would think of how Grandpa had suffered mentally and emotionally from being hit with mustard gas by the Germans. He needed to spend time at a family retreat in the woods of Indiana County when he first came back. And I usually thought about Dad, isolated from his unit as an advanced scout, hiding the way he'd learned as a boy in the woods of that same family retreat, as he observed enemy movements and troop strength.
It was so little for us to do, our cleaning of the graves, in acknowledgement of how much they did for us.
God bless them and all who have fallen, or are serving us still. Cortron Media joins with millions of Americans in commemorating Memorial Day. Please visit our Veterans Television Network honoring veterans 24/7.
Many, though, including those who served in the military or lost a loved one in service, know that this is more than an excuse for an extra day off. It's a time to remember and honor those who have sacrificed greatly for our freedom.
There is considerable discussion about how Memorial Day was started. For many years, it was actually known as Decoration Day - when the graves of veterans were festooned with American Flags and arms full of beautiful flowers.
Personally, that fits with our family tradition in observing the reverent side of the holiday. My grandfather served with infantry troops fighting in France in World War I, and my father did the same in World War II. Their graves are both in our family plot under hundred year old oak trees on a hill top in a large cemetery in Pittsburgh.
My mother would always insist upon she and I visiting the cemetery on Memorial Day equipped with a lawn rake, grass clippers, a broom and cleaning supplies. As we approached the plot from a distance, we were gratified with the beauty of the setting. But that changed, a bit, as we arrived to see the state of the individual grave plots. They were usually strewn with downed twigs and branches, acorns and other debris.
We'd immediately spring to action fueled by righteous indignation about those conditions. It never took us more than fifteen minutes to render the graves pristine with granite and bronze name plates buffed and shining. Then we'd get quiet and reflect for a moment.
I would think of how Grandpa had suffered mentally and emotionally from being hit with mustard gas by the Germans. He needed to spend time at a family retreat in the woods of Indiana County when he first came back. And I usually thought about Dad, isolated from his unit as an advanced scout, hiding the way he'd learned as a boy in the woods of that same family retreat, as he observed enemy movements and troop strength.
It was so little for us to do, our cleaning of the graves, in acknowledgement of how much they did for us.
God bless them and all who have fallen, or are serving us still. Cortron Media joins with millions of Americans in commemorating Memorial Day. Please visit our Veterans Television Network honoring veterans 24/7.
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