A few thoughts on Memorial Day

Thank You! to all our military veterans who continue to serve their country in the Civil Air Patrol, and to every CAP member who selflessly gives of time, talent, and effort, to be Always Vigilant.

As we are reminded by H.R. 719, introduced in Congress on 15 Feb 12 to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol, CAP members who never served on active duty in a branch of military service also put their lives on the line.  Coastal submarine patrols accounted for 26 fatalities and 7 serious injuries.  The CAP lost 64 lives and 150 aircraft in service during WW II.

CAP members, veteran and non veteran, continue to put their lives on the line every day, being Always Vigilant for the safety and well being of community, state, and nation.  You are truly the quiet servants who offer so much, so often, and ask for so little in return.  I've learned that at least one reason that the CAP continues to be the "best kept secret" in the USA, is due to the humble, servant attitudes of many of its members.  You do what you do, not for praise or pay but, for the simple joy of service.

A few thoughts on Memorial Day

General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed a special day to decorate graves of fallen union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery, in General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868, to be first observed on 30 May 1868. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. It gradually took hold across the North, and a little later in the South, where the former Confederate States were slow to accept it.

I can remember when I was a youth, asking my parents what happened to "Decoration Day" the first time we did not observe it on 30 May.  Being young, and not terribly interested in news or politics, I had missed the changing of the official name by Federal law. On June 28, 1968, as part of the "uniform Holiday Act", Congress moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create three-day weekends. Since then, Memorial Day has been observed on the last Monday in May, rather than on its traditional date of 30 May 30.

If you take the time to attend Memorial Day events, you'll probably notice that attendance declines a little bit more every year.  The more we lose touch with our heritage and history as a nation, the more we can expect days such as Memorial Day to be no more than another three day weekend to kick off the summer vacation season, rather than a time to remember those who literally placed their bodies between us and our enemies.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Day of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "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." (http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html).

In 1915, inspired by the poem 'In Flanders Fields" Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy Poppy" program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp  with her likeness on it. (http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html).

Buy a "Buddy Poppy".

When you see Old Glory pass by, remember what she represents.  Stand at attention and render a salute if in uniform, or hat or hand over your heart otherwise.  I know its now lawful for veterans to render a hand salute even when not in uniform, but my humble opinion is that others who are not veterans will emulate it, not knowing the difference, and the military salute will be diluted into meaninglessness.  Its just me, but when I'm in civvies, I render the civilian salute.

Stand up at the playing of Taps.

Learn the words of the National Anthem, stand at attention, salute, and sing out when it is being played.

Take a walk through a local cemetery and look at the headstones of veterans, their names, service, and ages.  You may even find some that are marked MIA (missing in action).

Be thankful, as our Founding Fathers so often expressed, for God's providence in making, and keeping, us a nation.  George Washington was one, among many others who shared his sentiments: "Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor."

Be proud of who you are and of what you do in CAP!

Thank you for your service!

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Randall F Matheny, Chaplain Maj
Pa Wing Chaplain
Civil Air Patrol

Pa. Wing Chaplain's Blog
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W3ECJ