Tradition has it that since 1948, Memorial Day has always been celebrated to honor our beloved soldiers who died for our commitment to freedom and to maintain world semblance of peace. This is the special day and we usually mark it with prayers to our fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice of dying for our country. Yes, this is a testament for such deed. Have we done enough to deserve their passing? Or am I "worth dying for", a poignant message delivered by Eleanor Roosevelt to the countless thousands who braved all odds to protect our civil liberties, human dignity and human rights. Are we?
In the recently concluded May 2008, Memorial Day Weekend, soldiers planted thousands of US
mini flags to each of the over 265,000 soldiers laid to rest at the Arlington Memorial cemetery. This is a gesture cherished by Americans, to honor those fallen heroes who served our country. I know this is not enough salutation to our soldiers, but to remember them on this special day is a tribute to their heroism and raw courage to uphold the ideals our founding fathers fought for and we as beneficiaries enjoyed.
Some of us trooped also to the Arlington Memorial grounds carrying flowers and offered prayers to those tombs not visited by relatives, because not everyone could be expected to visit their loved ones on this day. Well, this is just their way of saying thanks to those who gave their lives so we can continue to live, the way we envision life to be.
Have you done your deed today?
by:
The Flagman
