Decoration Day
If Memorial Day is to become more than just a day off work or school, you need to make a personal connection. You should connect your life, your freedom, and your opportunities to the men and women who have served and died in military service for their country.
My service in Vietnam gave me plenty of reasons to care about Memorial Day. I remember a young medic who was shot and killed tending to the wounded when our convoy was ambushed. I remember when the word spread that during the ambush “Doc” was killed. I still think about that event.
I remember a fellow student that sat near me in a high school class. Like me, he ended up in Vietnam. He was killed in action. I know nothing of the circumstances of his death, but I can still see Gordon sitting in math class in the row of seats next to mine. I remember his name and face every Memorial Day.
For me, it is the death of a young soldier during the June 6, 1944, D-Day landing at Normandy, France that will forever be my Memorial Day point of reference. I have seen again and again the documentary footage of the invasion that shows him wading ashore. No sooner does he reach the beach when an enemy bullet stops his progress. He slumps to the sand and dies.
Every time I see that documentary or a film about the invasion, I watch him sacrifice his life for me. He was someone’s son, brother, or perhaps father. For me, he represents all the men and women who have met a similar end to secure my freedom. That is the way I see Memorial Day. I will forever be in their debt.
Honor your Memorial Day memory and all who have sacrificed so much for you. Stand to your feet, remove your hat, and place your hand over your heart to honor the American Flag when it passes by.
Events
Parade
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