1. SINCE MAY 30, 1868, WHEN FLOWERS WERE PLACED ONTHE GRAVES OF UNION AND CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, AMERICANS HAVE SET ASIDE A DAY IN MAY TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN OUR NATIONS SERVICE. THOSE WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES HAVE EARNED OUR GRATITUDE, AND A DAY OF HONOR IN THEIR REMEMBRANCE.
2. OUR LIBERTIES WERE HARD-WON ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE. THE SIGNERS OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE PLEDGED TO EACH OTHER THEIR LIVES, THEIR FORTUNES, AND THEIR SACRED HONOR. THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT NATIONS MUST FIGHT FOR THEIR FREEDOM - AND THAT FREEDOM, ONCE ACHIEVED, MUST BE DEFENDED. ON THIS DAY OF SOLEMN TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE TAKEN THEIR ETERNAL REWARD WHILE DEFENDING THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS, LET US RESOLVE TO BE WORTHY OF THEIR SACRIFICE, AND LET US HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH TO PRESERVE THE BLESSINGS OF LIBERTY THAT WE CLAIM AS OUR BIRTHRIGHT.
3. RELEASED BY THE HONORABLE DONALD C. WINTER, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
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6 comments:
AMEN
Thank you. I wore a poppy today, our last day before the holiday.
Terry
Shortly before my father died he wrote a long letter to my son about his experiences in battle (Battle of the Bulge) when he served during WWII. He never spoke to us (his children) about it when we were growing up. After reading the letter to my son, I realized, what a life altering experience he had. He ended up with a Purple Heart. He looked upon it as his Duty to his Country and his Family. He was so proud. It was part of him.
My gratitude goes out to those who serve and those whose lives were lost while serving.
All I can say is "thanks". Please pass it along to all your colleagues over there.
Sorry I haven't written in a while I was traveling (2 weeks in London) for business.
Take care - we'll be sporting poppys this weekend,
Boris
Hi Ithan,
On Monday we will be attending two Memorial Day parades, one in Hightstown in the AM and then one in Cranbury in the afternoon. Ellen's middle school band marches in both, although some kids and families beg off of the second parade. David marched in both when he was in the band as well. They are nice parades, with several veterans groups participating and being cheered by the crowds. One of my elderly neighbors still marches - he was a paratrooper on D Day who parachuted behind the enemy lines. In Hightstown, they have a wreath-laying ceremony by a statue representing the four service branches ...they used to drop wreaths from a helicopter into the lake in the center of town, but last year they did not do it. In any case, we will be thinking of you and your fellow servicemen and women especially on Monday.
Jane
Ithan -
Just wanted to let you know all of us in the unit are thinking of you this memorial day weekend and hope all is well. Your blog has been a tremendous source of inspiration for us. I also wanted to congratulate you on the arrival of Allysa and tell your wife I have no idea how she did it without an epidural. God bless her.
Jim L
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