Memorial Day----A Day of Memories
Posted: Monday, May 18, 2009
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, our thoughts will probably turn to cook-outs, family gatherings, decorating our yards and porches with varying sizes of the American Flag. But then our thoughts will turn to memories of lost loved ones, family, friends, and young men and women we have never met who gave their lives for their country and freedom for all. Every prayer in our church never fails to include the plead to watch over our young people who are fighting wars on foreign soil.
Veterans from every one of this great nation's wars have been buried in Arlington Cemetery , from the Civil War to the war in Iraq . Arlington and Mill Springs National Cemetery are the oldest military burial grounds in the United States . It is reported that the first soldier to be buried in Arlington was one Private William Henry Christman of Pennsylvania on May 13, 1864 . The sight of some 300,000 pure white markers that fill the grounds of the cemetery is one that would stay in your memory for a lifetime should you be lucky enough to visit in person.
In April 1932 "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" was first opened to the public. It has since been called "The Tomb of the Unknowns" as several other unknown soldiers have been entombed there. It is heartbreaking to think that a young man has to be put to rest without the benefit of family knowledge. President Clinton authorized the disinterrement of the Vietnam unknown soldier in May of 1998. The soldier was identified and returned to his family in St. Louis , Mo. , where his family had him laid to rest near his family home.
Another Memorial that saddens the heart of all who visit there is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial-The Wall. Jan Scruggs who served in Vietnam from 1969-1970 founded this memorial. He wanted to acknowledge and recognize the service and sacrifice of all who served in Vietnam . It took three and one-half years to build the memorial. This is a memorial to those who served in the war, both living and dead. The President of the United States accepted the completed memorial in November 1984. There are 58, 260 names listed on The Wall. Names not only engraved in granite, but in the hearts of family and friends forever.
As I place flowers on my parents' and sister's graves this Memorial Day, I will also place flowers on my cousin's grave that lies not far from my parents. My cousin was a twenty-year old soldier who died in Vietnam and whose name I have traced from The Wall several years ago. We grew up close and I still find it hard to think of him as a soldier no longer with us. And as I pray for family members that fill my memories, I will pray for all the young men and women who gave their all.
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)Great article. Well done.I find it in some ways cruel that the union chose to make a graveyard for there soldiers in the old Confederate general’s land.However, different people think about it in different ways - is it a arrogant act by the union or trying to convey an equality between the two side or is it to remind the south they are in the union.Anyway, a very enjoyable article.Thank you, Connor. It's hard to say just what the reasoning behind the cemetery's location, but I'm sure they had their reasons and they may very well not have been 'above board'; but that's American politics for ya.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
Hello Grandma,My youngest brother Clas served two terms in the Vietnam War, and was severely wounded both times and has the purple heart to show for it.When he finally returned to the United States, he could not avoid the trauma of what he had gone through in Vietnam and he shot himself shortly thereafter.And so I say thank you to all of you who take time out and remember our soldiers who fought and died so that we can remain a free nation.OlleThank you, Olof. It is so sad how much trauma our young people have to go through for us. I wish I could save them all. They are always in my prayers.Sandra
As usual a wonderful article by this writer and who could expect anything less."Tread the Earth Lightly"" and let your days be filled with... Peace, light and love,Arlene Wright-CorrellThank you, Arlene. It is wonderful to have a day set aside to remember our loved ones.Sandra
Thanks for a very good article Sandra.I have been to Arlington and the sight of it is quite moving, as is the Vietnam wall, and the Korean Memorial.It is good to have a Memorial day to bring these things to rememberance. We somtimes forget what our country has gone through to become what it is today, and in spite of our troubled times, it helps us to remember we enjoy a great deal of freedom, almost all at the cost of someone's son.Thank you, Nila. And may God be with all those who have gone on ahead of us.Sandra
Sandra, thanks for sharing your thoughts on Memorial Day. This is the third I have read on this topic and am thankful to be reminded of why we observe this day.Thank you, Lorrie. It is good that we are all thinking about and remembering our young soldiers as this Holidays nears.Sandra
Another wonderful, educating article. A lot of the information that you provided, I did not know. I do know the importance though of Memorial Day and will continue to pray for the well-being of those fighting for our freedom and those who have lost the battle as well. Thank YouThank you, Freida, for reading and commenting. And best wishes to you, as well.Sandra
Hi Sandra.Yes,we will remember them with reverence and remembering their sacrifices for us. My prayers will be with them, the dead as well as the living. Thank you for writing this informative and very interesting article.Blessings.NenitaThank you, Nenita, for reading and commenting. Blessings to you and yours.Sandra
Ms. Sandra,Thanks for sharing this article with us. A Picture is worth a thousand words, right? Well, the photos you have with your article are worth a million!Thank you, Ronyae. These are two sad, but beautiful reminders of what we have lost.Sandra
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