The Month of May
May brings the flowers after April showers. And here in Arizona, the Palo Verde Trees bloom with their pretty yellow flowers, falling, wind-blown into the air, making most everybody SNEEZE, But the beauty of May flowers blooming pales when we think about the importance of this month in our calendar.
At the end of the month, we celebrate Memorial Day. Decades ago, it was called Decoration Day--a day set aside after the Civil War, to remember all the fallen who fought--many, brother against brother, bringing blood and death under the disguise of Unity and Glory to so many residents of the early United States. We DECORATED grave sites in those days, with flowers, symbols, flags and other adornments, so that we would never forget.
The practice grew and continued through the Spanish American War; WW I and WW II; Korea; Vietnam; and the wars in the Middle East.
Today, we call it Memorial Day, a formal name and National Holiday to remember all those who put themselves in harms way for our liberty and freedom, over our country's history.
This Memorial Day, many of you will follow the long-standing tradition of visiting gravesites, leaving flowers, saying prayers, and just remembering those who did their duty with honor.
But even more importantly during this time, don't just honor those who are no longer with us. If you come in contact with any of our men and women who presently serve or have served in our Armed Forces, THANK THEM for their service. THANK THEM for the part they play in preserving this country's honor, its freedom and its liberty.
|
