Memorial Day
The first Memorial Day was observed on May 30, 1868. Flowers were placed on the graves of the soldiers lost in the Civil War … for both sides. Now, Memorial Day honors all men and women who have served our country, honorably and courageously giving their lives in defense of freedom.
Our citizens live in freedom because patriots are willing to serve and sacrifice for our liberty. And on Monday, I will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, a victory for freedom in which more than 400,000 Americans gave their lives. Today a new generation of Americans is making its own sacrifice on behalf of peace and freedom, and some have given their lives.
~ President Bush’s radio address on May 28, 2005
Memorial Day is about more than a three-day weekend, hamburgers , and going out on the lake. It is a somber day to remember all those who have sacrificed their lives for our daily freedoms. My family and I visited the Audie Murphy Memorial in Greenville, Tx. earlier today. It is a very nice memorial for Audie Murphy and the people from Greenville who have lost their lives for their country. Here are some of the quotes, engraved in stone, from the Memorial, that especially caught my attention…
To be prepared for war, is the most effective means of preserving peace.
~ President George Washington
Let us never become so comfortable with our freedom, that we forget the immeasurable sacrifice by which it was achieved.
~ General Dwight D. Eisenhower
No man is entitled to blessings of freedom, unless he is diligent in its preservation.
~ General Douglas MacArthur
The true heroes, the real heroes, are the boys who fought and died and will never come home.
~ Audie Murphy
I linked to some music yesterday, today I am linking to some dramatic images. Pictures really can speak a thousand words and on today .. these pictures honor our fighting military both home and abroad.
Highlights from the Image Gallery of “Memorial Day“
(If you are interested, they also have Vintage Memorial & Decoration Day Postcards)
Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial
Bullrun Memorial 1870 Dedication
Crowd Listening to President Bush’s Memorial Day 2001 Speech at Arlington National Cemetery
F-16 Fly Over
Graves at Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2001
Iwo Jima
Memorial Day, St. Louis, 1891
President Bush Laying Wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Day 2001
Respectfully
Tomb of the Unknowns
USMC Color Guard
Memorial Day, Early, c 1900’s
Memorial Day Blog posts worth reading: (I will update if I see any more)
Mudville Gazette ~ SACRED WORDS
Mudville Gazette ~ Memorial Day
Blackfive ~ Opening the Gates of Heaven
Blackfive ~ Help The Troops This Memorial Day
American Solider ~ Remember
Lance in Iraq ~ The Arlington Ladies sends you to this
Marine Corps Mom ~ Honoring their sacrifice
Michele Malkin ~ MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: IN REMEMBRANCE
May 31st, 2005 at 12:19 am e
Categorizing in terms of time, the F-16 flyover, given it’s heritage and what it signifies, has to be the most awe-inspiring single second of a lifetime !!!
:-)
May 31st, 2005 at 3:35 pm e
Panda, I can’t imagine how one would ever stumble upon the opportunity, but if you have the chance to be buzzed by an F-14, I highly recommend it. And I don’t mean a flyover, I mean buzzed. It is so loud that your ears actually “cut out”, like a bad speaker. You literally feel the noise in every bone in your body. It is one of the most incredibly exhilarating experiences you can have, short of actually being in the thing! But for sheer beauty, there is nothing to compare to a B-2 flyby (Rusty’s favorite). I wept, and I’m not ashamed to say so. God bless the United States Armed Forces.