cj Sez: It is not
unusual for people to confuse the purposes of Veterans’ Day and Memorial
Day. Today these two days are often
treated by many as interchangeable opportunities to thank and honor all
military veterans, living or dead, who served honorably in wartime or
peacetime. But did you know there’s a distinct difference between the two?
 |
| All sacrificed some; some sacrificed all. |
Veterans Day (November
11) is set aside to thank living veterans for their service, to
acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated,
and to underscore the fact that all those who served—not only those who
died—have sacrificed greatly and done their duty.
Memorial
Day (May 30) is a day that set aside to remember and honor military
personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice and died in the service of their
country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds
sustained in battle.
A little history about a solemn remembrance:
It wasn't always
called Memorial Day — it was once known as Decoration Day. (cj Sez: When I was little, we called it
Poppy Day and for a few pennies, we’d get a red paper poppy to pin on our
shirts and blouses.) Whatever the name, it's a day of remembrance for those
who have died in service of the United States of America.
Born of the Civil
War, Memorial Day began as a holiday honoring Union soldiers—some states may still
have separate Confederate observances.
(cj
Sez: In this era of intolerance and cries to erase visible traces of our sad history,
the memorials respecting Confederate soldiers who died fighting for what they
believed in may not exist much longer. How will future generations learn from the
mistakes of past generations if the woke generation erases the history they
dislike?)
The date of the
first Decoration Day, May 30, 1868, was chosen because it wasn’t the
anniversary of any particular Civil War battle.
In 1915, inspired by
the rondeau poem “In Flanders Fields” (penned by Canadian physician Lieutenant
Colonel John McCrae while still at a World War I battlefront), Moina Michael
conceived the idea to wear red poppies on Memorial Day in honor of those who
died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one and sold
poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit
servicemen in need. The American Legion still sells poppies to honor the fallen. National Poppy Day in 2022 was May 27.
///
The thoughts below are
from a years-old Facebook post by Janie Delchamps Zetsch of Dauphin Island, AL,
a veteran and member of AL Post 250. It says everything. In 2018 Janie told me
it had been a repost and gave me permission to use it. I repeat it again today.
Please take a few minutes to read it all the way through.
“Just a reminder of what we celebrate (this) weekend.
I am but one of millions of proud veterans, however it is not about us. It is
to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice during battle, and to honor
those that served and have now gone onto their eternal rest. The following,
pointed, reminders are provided for your use, knowledge and perhaps to teach a
child what we celebrate and honor on Memorial Day.”
Here are some ground
rules for Memorial Day…
1. Don’t wish me a Happy Memorial day. There is nothing happy about brave men
and women dying.
2. It’s not a holiday. It’s a remembrance.
3. If you want to know the true meaning, visit Arlington or your local VA, not
Disneyland.
4. Don’t tell me how great any one political power is. Tell me about Chesty
Puller, George Patton, John Basilone, Dakota Meyer, Kyle Carpenter, Mitchell
Paige, Ira Hayes, Chris Kyle and any other heroes too numerous to name. Attend
a Bell Ceremony and shed some tears.
5. Don’t tell me I don’t know what I am talking about. I have carried the burden
all too many times for my warriors who now stand their post for God.
6. Say a prayer... and then another.
7. Remember the Fallen for all the Good they did while they were here.
8. Reach out and let a Vet know you’re there, we’re losing too many in “peace”.
God Bless those who fought and died and served this nation for our freedom.”
— Janie Delchamps
Zetsch
§§
cj Sez: I owe a mighty
debt of gratitude—one I can never repay—to the heroes who died and are dying
still today so that my family and I live in freedom.
I pray God’s blessings and
comfort rain down on their families who are joined in that great sacrifice.
That’s it for
today’s post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. (I
hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday weekend…sending up prayers for your
health and safety.)
cj
§§
The ebooks of DEATH
ON THE YAMPA and THE DAWGSTAR are now $2.99.
Just in time for
your summer reading pleasure . . . fast-paced, exciting thrillers with a
smidgen of romance (ala Jane Bond).
P.S. The Haunted
Bookshop has signed paperback copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER my author-graphed
books or any book of your choice on-line from an indie bookstore, contact The
Haunted Bookshop here: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
P.P.S. Pre-signed copies of THE BIG FANG are not available
at The Haunted Bookshop, but when you order a book from them and want it
author-graphed, let them know, and I'll pop down there and sign it for you.
Thanks!
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