Memorial Day
is officially celebrated on the last Monday during the month of May. Memorial
Day is dedicated to service men and women who gave their lives for freedom and
country. It is also a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. The
roots of Memorial Day go back to 1865 and the end of the Civil War.
Memorial Day
was traditionally held on the 30th of May. In 1971, Congress changed it to the
last Monday in order to afford a three day holiday weekend. Regardless of the
date, I encourage you to attend a parade, visit a cemetery to honor and
remember our servicemen. Take time to
remember lost loved ones in whatever way you feel appropriate.
Memorial Day
was first called Decoration Day. It was changed to Memorial Day in 1882. 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 Gen 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.
Memorial Day
also marks the beginning of the gardening and summer seasons, even though
summer will not occur for a few weeks later. It is usually marked by holding
the first family picnic of the year.
Thank you, Cousin Charles Ray.
I was going through an old photo album and came across a memorial clipping of my cousin, Charles Ray Humble. 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.
So how can you show your appreciation to those that are serving in the armed forces? One way is to send a Care Package to your loved one currently serving. Make up a box of items that you know they love and are probably missing right about now, now matter where they are stationed. There are many Care Packages on the market that also fit this unique way of showing you are thinking of them.
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 Thanksgiving, Christmas or on Armed Forces Day, 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. LB
