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 Life, Adventure, Family, Writing what else is there? Random thoughts. |
| I cannot believe how fast a year passes and another Memorial Day is upon us again. For me, I always tend to think of those brave men who stormed the beaches of Normandie on 6 June 1944. That was not an easy undertaking, storming the beaches of Normandie and hundreds of soldiers were lost. I read a book called “The Fighting 30th Division: They called them Roosevelt’s SS,” and it gives a graphic account of the taking the beaches. My uncle Harold was interviewed for the book. Another series that I recommend is HBO’s series, “Band of Brothers,” that takes a look at the invasion of Normandie and the obstacles that the soldiers had to endure. Memorial day has its roots in the Civil War. It was originally known as “Decoration Day,” and families would decorate the graves of those relatives who had fallen in the American Civil War. The National Cemetery Administration which falls under the Department of Veterans Affairs gives credit to Mary Ann Williams who felt it was important to decorate the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers after the Civil War. Memorial Day didn’t start out a Federal holiday. It was a local and state holiday for a long time. It started in New York and by 1890, most Union states had adopted it. After America’s World Wars, it became a time to celebrate and decorate those graves who had been lost in all of America’s wars. Finally in 1971, it became Memorial Day and a Federal holiday. Which leads me to National Cemeteries. There are 164 National Cemeteries belonging to the US and its territories. One of the most famous national cemeteries is Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia. There are 3 national cemeteries in France. The French government has given the land to the US for as long as the US maintains the cemetery. One of the cemeteries, The Normandie American Cemetery and Memorial is located in Colleville-sur-Mer overlooking Omaha Beach. Notable soldiers buried there include 2 of President Theodore Roosevelt’s sons: Theodore Jr. and Quentin along with US Army General Lesley J. McNair. Here’s a video: I think it’s still important to take some time out of your day to remember those who gave their lives in support of this nation. When my sons were young, their Cub Scout Pack would help lay out flags on the graves at the local cemetery. In fact, many scouting organizations have similar programs and I know the local Scouting America council will place flags at the Los Angeles National Cemetery. Many community organizations such as local Lions Clubs and Rotary clubs organize special events such as parades and flag placements. I believe it’s important local communities continue such events as parades, flag and flower placements, and wreath placements. Local communities in action equal national impact, and it’s service such as this that binds a community together. “A Nation that does not honor it’s heroes will not long endure.” – Abraham Lincoln References: https://www.hbo.com/band-of-brothers https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781612003016/the-fighting-30th-division/ |
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