Remembering Cousin Charles Ray

Today is Armed Forces Day so I am reposting an article from last year in honor of my dear friend John Persico. John served this country in Vietnam and just recently lost his battle with Cancer. John was a true fighter for this country and showed that determination through his greatest battle. Thank you John and we miss you..

Charles Ray was a cousin on my Mother’s side of the family who was in the armed services during the Vietnam Era.

Charles Ray was a good Arkansas boy that served our country. I never got to meet my cousin for he was killed while saving others during a conflict at an air base. My family always talked with high praise of how Charles Ray served our country and died doing his job of saving others.

My Mom always spoke of him with words like special, dedicated, courageous and good hearted. I only saw pictures of Charles Ray in uniform growing up and as a young man in Southeast Missouri farm country; I wanted to be like my cousin.

I learned that Charles Ray’s name was on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC and the first chance I got to go there I made sure to find his name and photographed it for my mom. As I stated, I had wanted to be like my cousin but as I got ready to enlist, I realized I was not service material. I did not like anyone telling me what to do and when to do it. So instead, I went to college and majored in two areas that I would be able help others, Speech Disorders and Nursing, my own way of honoring my cousin, Charles Ray.

Charles Ray was just one of several of our family’s members that served our country over the years prior and past. We are very proud of each and every one of them for the service they provided to our country. I know this year as in years past, family members will be placing special arrangements at the grave of Charles Ray and several others in the next few weeks in remembrance of their service to us and our country.

While thinking of Charles Ray, I also started thinking of the many men and women currently serving our country in the many branches of the armed services. Many are far away from their loved ones and even though it is hard to say many may never see their loved ones again. That is the reality they all face when they join to serve our country.

Armed Services Day is the 3^rd Saturday of May, This is simply a day to salute sharply all of the men and women in all branches of the service who protect our country and you. They can be called upon at a moment's notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for freedom and country. They train diligently both physically and mentally so they will be prepared to prevail in any mission they face.

Even if you don’t have a loved one currently serving in the Armed Forces, contact your local veteran’s organization and see what you can do to show your appreciation this Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. Many have programs that you can join to assist with those currently serving or a veteran who is in need of some companionship.

It really does not matter what you do as long as you do something to show those that serve in the Armed Forces, you appreciate their dedication and service to protect you and this country. Thank you to all the men and women of our Armed Services and God Bless the United States.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

MAY 2013

 

Five years ago, I would get depressed the Month of May; I had lost my mother and was not able to carry on my Mother’s Day tradition. It was also her Birthday month. I was losing out on two of my favorite gift giving dates in my personal life, Mother’s Day and Mom’s Birthday so May was not a good month in my opinion.

After that first May, I turned my tradition of sending Roses to Mom; to sending Roses to my Aunt Dorothy and my adopted Mom, Ms. Honey.  Mom would be proud that I have continued our tradition with her best friend, Aunt Dorothy and our Ms. Honey.  Sadly, this year, I won't be able to send to Ms. Honey for she lost her fight with cancer earlier this year.

So No matter how you remember your MOM this Mother’s Day, taking her out to a special dinner or sending an unique gift for her to remember for years, the most important thing is to be in her life every day.

This May, I have a new special day right after Mother's Day. Luke's Birthday is on the 14th. Poor Luke has no idea what I do to friends on their birthday. 

We also want to honor our brothers and sisters that are in the armed forces this month. Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of May to salute all the men and women in all branches of the service who protect our country and you. They can be called upon at a moment's notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for freedom and country. They train diligently both physically and mentally so they will be prepared to prevail in any mission they face.

So how did this special day start to honor those in the services? Well, each branch of the military had their own day of celebration. But, on August 31, 1949 then Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day. President Harry Truman also announced the holiday in a presidential proclamation on February 20, 1950. All branches of the military were asked to celebrate on this day and they complied on the first Armed Forces Day which was held the following year on May 20, 1950. Now you know! So if you have a loved one currently serving in the service why not send them a Care Package to let them know you are thinking of them and proud of what they are doing for you and the country.

The month of May ends with Memorial Day. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War. While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in General Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971.

So even though the Month of May was not one of my favorite months a few years ago. I have regained what the different Holidays truly mean during this Month. Honoring those that have served you and your country. Mothers to Soldiers all are due our respect and honor so begin your own unique tradition for Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day this year with a Unique Gift or Care Package.

Keep Dancin’ Larry B