As we head to the Jersey Shore or gather with friends and family at a cookout or a picnic…
let’s take the time to remember the men and women who have served our country.
Recently I read a New York Times article by Jennie Haskamp, a Veteran who reminds  us of what Memorial Day is really about:
“Nearly 150 years ago, Memorial Day— first called Decoration Day – was set aside to decorate the graves of the men who’d recently died in battle. America was still reeling from the Civil War when General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a proclamation in 1868, according to a PBS account of his decision.”
The General declared this would be “an occasion to honor those who died in the conflict.” The day, May 30 – chosen for a day when NO battles had ever been fought – was meant to be a day to decorate the graves of “comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
 My father’s great-uncles served in the Civil War.
My father’s father was a WWI soldier in France.
My father was a WWII Marine who fought in the Pacific Islands.
Happy Memorial Day and thank you to my father, to my ancestors, and to all who have served our country.
