celebratingour 2 0 thyear - The Parklander Magazine

Remember The Soldiers Who Protect Our FreedomBy Dani DorseyWhen I was little I was thrilled to find out that my birthday wasa national holiday. I felt very special even though I knew thecelebration really wasn’t for me.According to history.com:Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it wasa time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating theirgraves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate thesacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Loganof the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors andsoldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 thatthe 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing withflowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died indefense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies nowlie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts andcomrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services andtestimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.I remember when the VFW members sold those red paper poppies toraise money and commemorate Memorial Day. Although you rarely seethem these days, the poppies are still produced by disabled veterans. Themoney raised benefits the VFW in their charity efforts for these veterans.When the holiday was changed to the last Monday in May in order to giveus all a three-day weekend, I have to admit I took it rather personally. Howdare they take my holiday away?While working on the May issue of the Parklander I readthe article by Lisa Minns (Date With a Soldier) page 44which brought home the sad truth.Since September 2001 another generation of young menand women have been asked to standby this country in a call to arms.Theywent without complaint, and somehaven’t come back to their familiesalive. My family was very lucky; in the lastcentury we lost no one in combat, but I know that isnot the case with many families across the nation.Perhaps it would be nice to rethinkwhat you plan to do for the MemorialDay weekend. While you enjoy thetime with family and friends, youcould take a small bit of time and rememberthe people who died to keep us safe and free.thePARKLANDER53