Monday, May 31, 2010

The meaning of Memorial Day

From NBC 4:

Memorial Day was created as a day to remember the soldiers, sailors and marines who died in this nation’s wars.

But it’s evolved over the years into a holiday featuring barbecues and department stores sales. And it marks the "unofficial" start of summer.

It seems ironic that we call it Memorial Day -- a day to remember the sacrifice of our military men and women. And yet remembering this line of heroes who go back truly to the Revolutionary War seems of less importance than it used to be.

The holiday was originally known as Decoration Day. It was proclaimed by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic in May of 1868. He said the purpose was “for strewing flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

New York was the first state to recognize the new holiday. And the day inspired generations of poets to pay tributes to the dead.

For some of us Memorial Day may not be memorable, yet the tiny flags posted on the graves of loved ones in countless cemeteries around the nation show the devotion many people have to their fallen loved ones.

Remembering is still important, for families and for the nation. The holiday is sacred---and it should involve us all.

21 comments:

Babs said...

Thank you veterans past and present for your great sacrifice.

Anonymous said...

In New York, it should be a bit easier to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. With Fleet Week, we can find our uniformed defenders strolling around the city, giving us the opportunity to thank them personally.

Air shows in the suburbs, and veteran parades in the neighborhoods also help reinforce the meaning of Memorial Day.

LibertyBoyNYC said...

God Bless Our Fallen, God Bless Our Troops!!

Maspeth got quite a treat yesterday at the parade in town, Chuck Schumer and Anthony Weiner were in the parade. Schumer was traversing the road vamping it up - OMG he really looks like the Joker in real life - while Weiner followed a procession of young Marines and Navymen with a bullhorn. Bizarre.

Gary the Agnostic said...

The debt that we owe the people who have given their lives to defend this nation can never be repaid, no matter how much we try.

Anonymous said...

semper fidelis

Anonymous said...

Israel is the reason for so many dead soldiers in the last 40 years.

Every war for the last 40 years in the middle east has been soley for the benefit of Israel and it's murderous ways.

Bless the troops and their families and soldiers should be treated with the utmost respect EVERYDAY, not just on holidays.

Anonymous said...

I wish Richmond Hill knew the meaning of Memorial Day. Everyone their seems to be into their native country and its flags. We tend to forget the real reason behind Memorial day. Thank you soilders thank you for our freedom. We live in a great country.
Yours truly,
Me

Anonymous said...

Israel is the only decent,modern, productive place in the middle east. Anti-Semitism is alive and well here, huh? I guess you want a world overrun with Sharia law. You must love the mosque that will show its domination of America at the World Trade Center.

GOD BLESS THE USA and ISRAEL AND ALL THE VETERANS WHO FOUGHT FOR US

Anonymous said...

www.patriotguard.org

Anonymous said...

It's dd Wiener's fiance is never seen in public wth him.Come out of the closet,Anthony................

Gary the Agnostic said...

And the relevance of your comment to Memorial Day?

Do you have personal knowledge to make your comment?

Anonymous said...

An antisemite is not one who hates Israel, but someone who Israel hates. I want a world overrun by Anglo Saxon values.

The soldiers aren't DEFENDING this nation seeing as there aren't any wars that have taken place on American soil since the Spanish American war.

The soldiers are keeping American Imperialism alive and they are HIGHLY appreciated for doing so. If it weren't for the soldiers we wouldn't be the greatest nation to ever exist in the history of the world.

R.I.P. to EVERY American soldier EVER.

Anonymous said...

I agree, Gary, that the previous comment has nothing to do with Memorial Day. However, neither did Weiner pimping himself at the Memorial Day parades he attended. We weren't lining the streets to watch him campaign. For shame.

Anonymous said...

Thank you veterans for your service.
May you get all the service you need when you come home.

Yes folks you have to realize Zionism is not a way that represents all Jewish people but the greater zionist map is to take Jordan, parts of Syria, Iraq, and possibly Egypt. That has been a plan by the orthodox for well over a hundred years. When they first came to Palestine the militia orthodox Jews were killing unarmed Palestinians, and they had blown up the King David hotel and tried to blame that on the Palestinians but it was the Irgun and stern gang.

Do you know that Israel attacked the U.S ship USS Liberty on purpose in 1967 and covered it up killing over 34 Americans.

Anonymous said...

shut up troll

Gary the Agnostic said...

Anonymous said...
I agree, Gary, that the previous comment has nothing to do with Memorial Day. However, neither did Weiner pimping himself at the Memorial Day parades he attended. We weren't lining the streets to watch him campaign. For shame.

Monday, May 31, 2010
----------------------------------

I couldn't agree with you more. Shame is not a word in Weiner's dictionary.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree with you more. Shame is not a word in Weiner's dictionary.
---------------------------------------------

I wonder if "sham" is??

cherokeesista said...

Today is a very SACRED DAY, it's just so sad that the people in this town "FLUSHING" could care less :( It's just another day to party:(

GOD BLESS ALL OUR SOLDIERS WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR US!!! AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT AS I'M WRITING THIS ARE THEIR TOP PROTECT AND DEFEND US!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

RE;the LittleNeck/Douglaston Memorial Day Parade.

any politician can attend this parade honoring the brave U.S.military who did not return home.

but it is shameful for them to have their teams carry name signs on the parade route.

those guilty are C.Schumer,A.Weiner and Andrew Cuomo.
A.Cuomo and a team of about 30 ,marching with his name signs, were being criticized by parade watchers on the side walk. the 30 marchers then began yelling loudly to drown out the critics.

some politicians and their rent a mob gangs just have no respect for true heroes that are buried all over the world.

see the P.B.S documentary shown on Ch.13 monday night "HALLOWED GROUND". the European and Asian people that were invaded by the totalitarians respected the U.S.soldier and sailor.

did any of the politicians mentioned above put their selves in harms way. I DON'T THINK SO. THEY JUST DO NOT GET IT.

BTW,for the first time there were no marching groups of soldiers,sailors or marines at the parade ?
once again the Francis Lewis H.S. marchers,R.O.T.C. and band were the class of the parade.

there were many American pupils of asian ancestry.
many asian viewers on the side walks.
many Koreans were on the U.S. side during the Korean War,1950-53. 37,000 American young men were killed by the N.Korean and Chinese Communists.
obama is ducking the N.Korean sinking of the S.Korean ship. do not upset the marxists.

Anonymous said...

"Do you know that Israel attacked the U.S ship USS Liberty on purpose in 1967 and covered it up killing over 34 Americans."

No, I did not know that. Since it was a cover-up, how do you know that?

Anonymous said...

No, I did not know that. Since it was a cover-up, how do you know that?

Ive talked to veterans from that time and heard them speak at a forum about it. There is also quite a few web pages with the information. The link below has quotes from CIA director Richard Helms and others in the military.

http://www.gtr5.com/

USS Liberty memorial

Now where is the unintelligent stupid troll comments. I agree with the majority of the posts on here.

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