In Memorandum
As I sit here at my desk this evening, Boone is quite. The university has been relatively quiet before the first summer session, and many townspeople are staying in on this rainy Monday. Most people are accustom to holding a Memorial Day cookout, filled with laughter, joy, and extra-large helpings of burgers, dogs, and steaks while partaking in sports or watching the Indianapolis 500.
In truth, however, a cool rainy Monday is perhaps best fitting for this holiday. It is on this day that we are to pause and remember those who died while in service to our country and have passed on. Regrettably, in recent times, this time of remembrance has been commercialized and belittled.
Originally, Memorial Day was not celebrated on May 30th which often fell during the middle of the week. In 1968, however, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Washington's Birthday (now called President's Day), Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day all to Mondays so to create three-day weekends. This act also created a new holiday, Columbus Day, which increased the number of three-day weekends given to all federal workers to four.
While I will not even deny that I enjoy a three-day weekend, I do argue the fact that such a placement has drawn attention away from the true purposes of many of these holidays. I do not seek to disrupt the many positive experiences associated with these holidays, but rather to challenge all citizens of this nation to take a moment during each of these holidays to pause and reflect on their true meaning.
On this Memorial Day, pause and take a moment to reflect and be thankful for those who paid the ultimate price to ensure America's freedoms and liberties. Take a moment and truly remember those who's own red blood has paid for the red stripes on our flag.
May God keep you this and every night...
Who kept the faith and fought the fight;The glory theirs, the duty ours.
~Wallace Bruce
But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for,
Is their monument to-day, and for aye.
~Thomas Dunn English
In truth, however, a cool rainy Monday is perhaps best fitting for this holiday. It is on this day that we are to pause and remember those who died while in service to our country and have passed on. Regrettably, in recent times, this time of remembrance has been commercialized and belittled.
Originally, Memorial Day was not celebrated on May 30th which often fell during the middle of the week. In 1968, however, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved Washington's Birthday (now called President's Day), Veteran's Day, and Memorial Day all to Mondays so to create three-day weekends. This act also created a new holiday, Columbus Day, which increased the number of three-day weekends given to all federal workers to four.
While I will not even deny that I enjoy a three-day weekend, I do argue the fact that such a placement has drawn attention away from the true purposes of many of these holidays. I do not seek to disrupt the many positive experiences associated with these holidays, but rather to challenge all citizens of this nation to take a moment during each of these holidays to pause and reflect on their true meaning.
On this Memorial Day, pause and take a moment to reflect and be thankful for those who paid the ultimate price to ensure America's freedoms and liberties. Take a moment and truly remember those who's own red blood has paid for the red stripes on our flag.
May God keep you this and every night...
Who kept the faith and fought the fight;The glory theirs, the duty ours.
~Wallace Bruce
But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for,
Is their monument to-day, and for aye.
~Thomas Dunn English
posted by Jeffrey Lazenby | 9:05 PM
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