It's Not all Cookouts

Born out of the practice of gathering to honor the fallen dead of the Civil war in communities across the nation and above and below the Mason Dixon Line, the predecessor of Memorial Day, Decoration Day, was first officially proclaimed by General John Logan,  “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died...”

By the turn of the century it was becoming referred to as Memorial Day by many.  In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

“We cherish too, the Poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led,

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies.”

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war.

After WWI the day was expanded to include Americans who had fallen in all conflicts.  1967, it was made an official federal holiday. Memorial Day remained on May 30 until 1971, when it was moved to the last Monday in May as part of the Federal Uniform Holidays Act.

Beginning in 1987 Hawaii’s Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II veteran, introduced a measure to return Memorial Day to its traditional date. Inouye continued introducing the resolution every Congress until his death in 2012. In his introductory remarks to the bill he introduced in 1999 he stated:

“Mr. President, in our effort to accommodate many Americans by making the last Monday in May, Memorial Day, we have lost sight of the significance of this day to our nation. Instead of using Memorial Day as a time to honor and reflect on the sacrifices made by Americans in combat, many Americans use the day as a celebration of the beginning of summer. My bill would restore Memorial Day to May 30 and authorize our flag to fly at half mast on that day. In addition, this legislation would authorize the President to issue a proclamation designating Memorial Day and Veterans Day as days for prayer and ceremonies honoring American veterans. This legislation would help restore the recognition our veterans deserve for the sacrifices they have made on behalf of our nation.” 

The “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

Let us remember to honor those who fell while serving their nation and protecting our freedoms.  Place flags or flowers on graves,  wear a poppy pin or pause, reflect and pray at 3:00pm tomorrow. 

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”- John 15:13, KJV

Weekend Coffee Share

Yay!  Finally a Saturday morning where I was able to sleep as long as I wanted to and no alarm went off. Come on in and get up a cup of coffee, if you want any this late in the morning.  Right now the sun is shining and it's a beautiful Texas morning.  Lot's of rain in the forecast for the rest of the holiday weekend.  After I chill with my coffee, I've got to do some grocery shopping. 

This past week at work taxed my poor brain, but it was a good week.  We are moving forward with a new plan for processing and building our routes.  We might hit a kink or snag here or there, but overall, I think it's a good plan for us and our customers. When the dust settles over this change, I have a few ideas I want to see implemented.  Got to write up a proposal of sorts for my boss to review and get the conversation started.  In February I started an internal audit of our sales tax exemptions.  Just about to have that project wrapped up.

I heard a local news station talking about this holiday last night on TV.  They said this was the recognized start of summer - actually that is June 21st.  The said this was the biggest boating weekend and did a piece on boating safety.  Number one problem is running out of gas.  But they never said a word about what Memorial Day is. 

People, Memorial Day started as a day to lay wreaths and garlands upon the graves of those who gave their lives in service to this country, protecting her borders, her people, her freedoms.  Honoring them for this supreme sacrifice.  In 2000, a resolution was passed asking us to pause at 3:00pm local time "to remember and reflect upon the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all".  Please don't let this day go by without in some way large or small remembering it's meaning! Me, I try to take flowers to the Veteran's memorial in our town and/or put flags on graves of family members who served. For an excellent post from a Vet's perspective: Got a Letter in the Mail!  

Seems, once again, I've monopolized the conversation.  Let's get another cup. So, what has work been like for you, lately?  How do you honor our fallen hero's on this day?  

Memorial Day Tribute

This is my Memorial Day Tribute to all who have served, sacrificed and died that I and my family may enjoy, freedom, safety and prosperity. To my father, step-father, and all my uncles who served in WWII. To my grandfather who served in WWI. To my cousin who served in Nam. To my brother-in-law who served in peace time. To my young cousin who was a Navy Seal. To Pete's cousin's son, Cody, who is serving now near Mosul. Thank you.

To all who are celebrating on this Holiday, I ask you to remember this is more than just another day off from work. This is a time to reflect, honor and grieve for those who offered the supreme sacrifice for us. No man has greater love than to lay down his life for a brother. Whatever, where ever, however you observe this day, do it with respect. Do it safely. And may God bless you!

Let us all, who know the Lord, do our part to safeguard, protect and heal our land. To support our troops and defend our shores. "Gather together and pray, you shameless nation, while there is still time - before judgement begins, and your opportunity is blown away like chaff; before the fierce anger of the Lord falls and the terrible day of his wrath begins. Beg him to save you, all who are humble - all who have tried to obey. Walk humbly and do what is right, perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you from his wrath in that day of doom. " Zephaniah 2:1-3 TLB

"Don't fear anything except the Lord of the armies of Heaven! If you fear him, you need fear nothing else. He will be your safety; ..." Isaiah 8:13-14a TLB