Remember Memorial Day

May 27, 2002

Deborah Venable

05/20/02

Will Memorial Day remind Americans of the sacrifices made on their behalves by more than 1.1 million American soldiers, or will a vast number of our citizens remain ignorant of just what the Memorial Day observance is all about? Sadly, we can expect that many Americans will not pay tribute to or give thanks for the bravery and unselfishness that this day is supposed to commemorate.

Explore a little history of the holiday and view statistics for each conflict in American History while you remember that today our soldiers still volunteer to put themselves in harm’s way for the preservation of the country they love. Bless them all – past and present – heroes and patriots who exemplify “no greater love.”

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
   of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die,
   the Lord has called me home.

Mary Frye, Baltimore MD, Circa 1933

This is an oft-quoted piece of poetry that speaks from beyond the honored grave of time and sacrifice. In many cases it is signed as, “author unknown”, but it has also been credited to the person named above, so I will leave it as such.

Many of today’s young people do not understand the severe discipline of military life or the necessity for a force of citizens dedicated to service and possible death for their country. Those of us who do must make sure that we pass this understanding and appreciation on to our posterity. We must make sure that we teach them to remember Memorial Day.

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