memorial

Memorial Day Weekend  is more than just a long holiday observed at the end of spring by a nation getting ready for summer.  The last Monday of May in the USA is to remember those who selflessly gave their lives for others who lived inside of the States and enjoyed the freedoms there.

 

Around this time, people buy bright red paper poppies and wear them in their lapels.  These poppies are sold by Veterans of Foreign Wars to raise money for their organization, which raises money for disabled or needy veterans, usually in hospitals.

 

 Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. Service Members who died while in the military service.  It was begun just after the Civil War, so that our recovering Nation would not forget those who wouldn’t get a chance to start over.  After World War I, Americans decided to honor those Americans who have died in all wars.

To explain the honor I’m talking about you have to be American.  In some cases, you may have to be a serviceman.  In many cases, you may have to have lost someone in a war.  The blood that was given to keep our flag flying is worth something deep and precious to us as a nation.

Usually.

Lately, a rare and sick outcropping of anti-war protests have taken place during Memorial Day Celebrations.  Don’t get me wrong....the right to protest is one of the freedoms that Americans hold dear.  We bless and promote others’ right to protest unjust things.   There is a difference between protesting an unjust system and ruining a sacred day for grieving family members on the day that is there to honor them.

 

When  I heard today from Mario, he said in his e-mail “I can’t believe the warped way that people treat our military...people are protesting at our service men's/women's funerals! - Sick.”

VFW Poppy
The caption always says:
"Wear it with Pride"

This is a deep subject to us.  The subject of honor. The subject of freedom.   My father and Mario’s father fought in foreign wars.  My uncles did as well, one of them earning a purple heart (awarded to only a few for bravery).  My brother served as a US Marine, and our hearts are deeply grateful to them all for the sacrifice, the complete dedication to keeping us strong, fit and free.

  

I don’t support war at the cost of lives for nothing, but I come from a country that has a distinguished reputation for honouring our fallen, and today, from South Africa, I thank them all.

 

Without you, our dear veterans, we would not be free. 

Thank you.