They Served with Honor...Can We Do The Same?

Monday May 28, 2012 marks the 144th anniversary of the observance of Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day.  This began by issuance of General Order 11 by General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.  Although many towns and groups may have honored the fallen soldiers before this date, it was the first declared day to pay tribute by official orders.  Originally it was set to be observed as the 30th day of May until Congress enacted the National Holiday Act of 1971 which changed the day to the last Monday of the same month.  This change was the beginning of a very unfortunate outcome.  Over the years, the day has lost much of its original intentions to honor the fallen soldiers of our country, and instead is celebrated more as a 3 day weekend for picnics, barbecues and trips to the beach.  Fading away and being forgotten are the traditions of wearing red poppies,use of  proper flag etiquette for the day and the care of the graves of our fallen soldiers.  Although I do not wish to condemn of berate anyone for taking the time to enjoy the 3 days off, I hardly want to see my generation as the one that forgot the price others paid to protect our country and freedoms.

Regardless of your views on war and the military these fallen soldiers served voluntarily, and with honor for each and every one of us who wear the name American.  The fought, they bled, and they died so that we could enjoy the luxury of where we want to live, work, worship, and so much more.  They proudly served us without asking for anything in return except that we keep those freedoms alive and passed on to future generations.  They believed that the ideas that the Founding Fathers laid out in our Constitution were precious enough to leave the safe haven of their homes and families and walk onto a battlefield, knowing that they might never see their loved ones again.  They served with honor so I ask can we do the same?

As Americans, do we have enough honor to serve them with just a glimmer of the honor that they showed us.  Can we find an hour to care for the graves of our soldiers, 20 minutes to place flags at their headstones, a minute to stop what your doing and listen to the playing of "Taps", or a simple 10 seconds to buy and wear a poppy in honor of our servicemen.  Or maybe just a simple whisper of "Thank You" as you pass by the cemetery where they rest.  By enacting any of these observances  we can once again revive that glimmer of honor and continue to pass on the traditions to the next generation.  Many of our younger people today question the actions that we do on a day to day basis to which I would welcome the chance to nurture their inquiries by sharing the history and importance of remembering these distinguished Americans.  I for one refuse to forget the sacrifice they made and will find the time to honor them, and show the respect to them and all of the men who so valiantly have served our country.  So I ask once again since they served with honor...can we do the same?