by Kathlena Peebles
Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day set aside for remembrance of those who have died in our nations service. Memorial Day was first proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, in his General order number 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868; when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers. The South, at first, refused to acknowledge, Memorial Day, honoring their dead on separate days until after WWI. It is now observed in almost every state of the union on the last Monday of every May. Since the Civil War more than 1.1 million veterans, both women and men, have lost their lives in service to America. Indeed the Civil War alone accounted for more than 600,00 dead.
On Memorial Day I had
the opportunity to witness a memorial in San Francisco, aboard a submarine, the
USS Pampanito, a submarine that was used in WWII and Korea. The United States
submarine service suffered the highest percentage of casualties than any other
of the services that served in WWII. They also sank over 55% of all Japanese
shipping sunk in WWII. This was all pointed out to me with pride by several of
these veterans.
As our National Anthem
was played over the speaker system some of them started to cry as they
remembered all of their fallen comrades, the ones that served with them, and
the ones that did not. I thought about how many of these veterans brothers had
made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may all enjoy the freedom this country
offers.
As we stood for the
Pledge of Allegiance I saw the reaction on their faces, it was a thoughtful,
respectful look, a look of such sadness. I thought about what my dad's
submarine veterans group was really all about "To perpetuate the memory of
our shipmates who gave their lives while serving in the United State Naval
Submarines" I then started to cry myself with the realization of what that
really meant . All those old sailors, my dad included, standing on the deck of
an old submarine holding the flag with such pride and sadness.
Then it was time for the
speakers to give their speeches about their experiences and the meaning of
Memorial Day. A WWII veteran talked about the hardships and struggles and the
fact that he was lucky to be alive when so many of his brothers had fallen
victim to the war. One talked about how it was up to the veterans to teach
"our children about the sacrifices made by so many". Another said,
"that America will only be the land of the free so long as it is the home
of the Brave". So many of the speakers spoke with so much pride about
America that it was hard not to think about all the people who have no idea
what this holiday is really about. While they go to their Bar B Q's and beaches
there are some who keep up a tradition of pride in service to the United States
of America and remember all those who had fallen, and rejoice in the ones who
still live and remember. Let none of us ever forget what Memorial Day really
is.
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