Here in the States, we will be observing Memorial Day this weekend. Originally called Decoration Day, the last Monday of May is reserved so we can honor those who gave their lives in the service of their country. Although Sunday is officially Memorial Day, it is observed on Monday. I remember when I was little, Memorial Day was a big deal. There were parades that everyone came out for. Everyone flew their flag. Veterans would set up tables along the sidewalks the week prior, selling red poppies. My father was a commander in the VFW. Every Memorial Day, he took us to the local monument for the laying of the wreath. In recent years, Memorial Day has come to symbolize the official kickoff to summer. Stores run big sales and the malls and beaches are packed. We seemed to have forgotten what the day was all about. I think the horrors of September 11 have changed that. Every day, approximately 1,000 W.W.II veterans pass away in this country. There are few W.W.I veterans still with us. Veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars are succumbing to cancer and heart disease. Our men and women in uniform are again in harm's way, protecting our cherished freedom. There are the horrific numbers of dead from September 11 - the first victims of this new war. Please take some time out this weekend to remember what Memorial Day is really about. Honor the men and women who have laid down their lives so we can remain free. Visit a National Cemetery to lay a wreath; wear a red poppy; fly your flag. If you know or see a veteran, take the time to thank him or her for all they've sacrificed for us. If you will be flying your flag this weekend, and I hope you will, here are the official guidelines: the flag is to fly at half-staff on Sunday until noon. It is then to be lowered and raised to full-staff. I will be spending Memorial Day at the cemetery, laying a wreath on my father's grave. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. And to all the veterans on our list, I'd like to say, Thank You! I owe you everything. Take care, Tracy

Thank you for remembering what Memorial Day should be about - not as a holiday to "officially start summer", but, in reality, as a national day of mourning when those who made the untimate sacrifice and those who served honorably but have now passed away are remembered. That said, the official Memorial Day is not Sunday but, by law, the last Monday in May. That is also the day in which the United States Flag should be flown at half-staff until noon and at full-staff thereafter. Memorial Day was traditionally observed on May 30 before Congress moved it to the last Monday to create a three-day weekend which has helped lead it to be "just another holiday" in many people's minds. A bill to restore Memorial Day to May 30 was filed but is languishing in Congress. Please write your Senators and Representatives if you believe this is a just bill. Finally, please observe the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM Monday. Thanks again for doing something to remind folks of the meaning of Memorial Day. My daughter and I are off to plant flags at the graves of Veteran's in our town. I hope everyone on this list will find their own way to remember and honor our deceased veterans. ----- Original Message ----- From: <GaelEire@aol.com> To: <IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 12:22 AM Subject: [IRISH-NYC] Memorial Day > Here in the States, we will be observing Memorial Day this weekend. > Originally called Decoration Day, the last Monday of May is reserved so we > can honor those who gave their lives in the service of their country. > Although Sunday is officially Memorial Day, it is observed on Monday. > > I remember when I was little, Memorial Day was a big deal. There were > parades that everyone came out for. Everyone flew their flag. Veterans > would set up tables along the sidewalks the week prior, selling red poppies. > My father was a commander in the VFW. Every Memorial Day, he took us to the > local monument for the laying of the wreath. > > In recent years, Memorial Day has come to symbolize the official kickoff to > summer. Stores run big sales and the malls and beaches are packed. We > seemed to have forgotten what the day was all about. I think the horrors of > September 11 have changed that. > > Every day, approximately 1,000 W.W.II veterans pass away in this country. > There are few W.W.I veterans still with us. Veterans of the Korean and > Vietnam Wars are succumbing to cancer and heart disease. Our men and women > in uniform are again in harm's way, protecting our cherished freedom. There > are the horrific numbers of dead from September 11 - the first victims of > this new war. > > Please take some time out this weekend to remember what Memorial Day is > really about. Honor the men and women who have laid down their lives so we > can remain free. Visit a National Cemetery to lay a wreath; wear a red > poppy; fly your flag. If you know or see a veteran, take the time to thank > him or her for all they've sacrificed for us. > > If you will be flying your flag this weekend, and I hope you will, here are > the official guidelines: the flag is to fly at half-staff on Sunday until > noon. It is then to be lowered and raised to full-staff. > > I will be spending Memorial Day at the cemetery, laying a wreath on my > father's grave. > > I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. And to all the veterans on our > list, I'd like to say, Thank You! I owe you everything. > > Take care, > Tracy > > > > > ==== IRISH-NEW-YORK-CITY Mailing List ==== > Adopt a US County list > http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/adoptable/ > Adopt a Surname list > http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/adoptable/ > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >