Have you forgotten about why we have Memorial Day? No, it's not all about that extra day off of work, and that wonderful picnic with your family. It is about taking a few moments to Thank all of the men and women who fought for the America we have today.
How long have we celebrated Memorial Day, you ask? Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan, who was the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
But it is not just about the Civil War, it is about all of the conflicts in this country. It is about us honoring all the veterans who gave their all, their all for their family, my family and your family. Many of them lost a lot in the fight for our country. They may have lost their home, their family, their future, their health and many, many lost their lives. But they did take that chance, and they fought. They fought for this land we call, The United States of America, and we should be proud of that. So let us honor them all this weekend. Let us honor all the men and women that have served in this country, the ones who fought a lot for us, the ones gave a lot for us, and the ones that lost a lot for you and I.
Will you join me in honoring all the veterans weekend for Memorial Day? I will be taking my children to our local cemetery and saying Thank you to the men and women who served our country.
If you aren't at a cemetery this weekend, and would like to take a moment to thank them, then you can join in the "National Moment of Remembrance". It is a resolution which was passed in 2000 and asks that at 3 p.m., your local time, "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."
I am eternally grateful, for all the Americans that sacrificed for their family, and for our families, and I hope you are too. I will be honoring them this weekend......
Will you join me in honoring the veterans?
(You can learn more about Memorial Day at http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html)
I called this Genburk's Gems because my family and ancestors are Gems, real people with real stories to be treasured. Whether they are famous, hard working farmers, or just someone tryng to live a decent life, they are who made America what it is today. And so did YOUR family.......
