Memorial Day

I have been looking forward to Memorial Day for weeks. With no holidays (at least with time off from work) from the middle of February through the end of May, Memorial Day is always a much needed day off. Unfortunately, sometimes we focus on all the things we have planned for weekend (i.e. yard work, BBQs, etc) without pausing to think about the reason we have Memorial Day. Today I stopped to ponder and give thanks for those who have valiantly served our country and died protecting us and our freedoms. I really liked this thought I found online, and decided to share it here. I have modified it just a bit, but I give credit to the author Kevin Drawdy.

Today, Americans across this nation and citizens located around the world paused to observe Memorial Day. Since its first official observation on 5 May, 1868, when it was called Declaration Day, it has been a day of remembrance for those who sacrificed and died in our nation's service. And while it was originally dedicated to honor Civil War soldiers, we know it today as a celebration in memory of all who have fought for and defended our right to freedom.

In 1968 the observation of this day was established to be the last Monday in May. Today it remains a time of observation to honor and to respect those who fought to protect the liberties that our Founding Fathers proclaimed with certainty in the Declaration of Independence and that were thoughtfully and carefully framed in the Constitution of the United States. In his proclamation to set aside this day in 1868, General Logan instructed there to be thoughts to "...cherish tenderly the memories of our heroic dead who made their breast a barricade between our country and its foes."

To those who died securing peace and freedom; To those who served in conflict to protect our land, and sacrificed their dreams of the day to preserve the hope of our nation - keeping America the land of the free for over two centuries - we owe our thanks and honor. It is important to not only recognize their service but to respect their devotion to duty and to ensure that the purpose for which they fought will never be forgotten.