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Our Party BlogHave your say about all things democraticMay 23, 2008WHAT DOES MEMORIAL DAY MEAN TO YOU?
Every Memorial Day has a special meaning for me and my wife, as I'm sure it does for you. It is a day to decorate the graves of our fathers and brothers as well as mothers and sisters who died in war for liberty. It is a national holiday, and therefore a day for all of us to pause and recall the sacrifice of men and women in military service. And it is a day to say that history and sacrifice and humanity matter.For my wife and me, it is also a reminder of our teenage son's birthday. And so while celebrating our son's birthday, we always pause to remember friends and family members who have died either in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Gulf War, and Iraq War. Recalling some of these wars may remind us of our ability to change the course of history, to be history-makers. But that has not always been the case. The Civil War, a war between ourselves in the U.S., produced terrifying destruction with a huge blood-cost to earn a red badge of courage. Later, Vietnam undermined our trust in our leaders and had the consequence of killing our martial spirit for years. Unfortunately, and most recently, the Iraq War has painfully painted for us a picture of hubristic elected leaders. Although my father (who served during Vietnam) and my wife's father (who served during World War II) and her brother (who served during Vietnam and was fully disabled) did not die in battle, we have discussed how we sensed in them the burden of bereavement carried for those who did die in battle. This has special meaning to me and my wife. My father is still alive, but her brother and father are now gone. There are flags for them every Memorial Day. The first Memorial Day honored Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. After the First World War, Memorial Day expanded to include all military dead. For each of us, Memorial Day has special meaning. So what does it mean to you? Send me your message to wbailes1@comcast.net. Post a Reply... Most Recent Posts: 08/16: Senator Andy Berke Asks, "Are Kids Ready to Learn?" 08/12: Join us today for JFK Club & Greater Chattanooga Democratic Women's Club 08/08: Thanks to Democrats for Helping on Election Day 08/07: Vote Today, Then Join us for Election Results at IBEW Union Hall tonight 08/06: OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE TO TIMES FREE PRESS ENDORSEMENTS FOR SHERIFF 08/06: Get Out the Vote Thursday for Andy Berke, JoAnne Favors, Tommie Brown, and Greg Beck 08/04: Radio Ads reflect candidate with high negatives 08/01: Listen to the "Greg Beck for Sheriff" Radio Ads 08/01: Join Greg Beck for a GOTV Rally & BBQ Tomorrow 07/31: Today's Times Free Press: Hammond continues to show poor ethical judgment in Lonnie Hood Case 07/31: Meet U.S. Senate Candidate Mike Padgett at Party Headquarters on Aug.1 07/29: HEAR TWO NEW RADIO ADS on Jim Hammond: Flip-Flop Jim & Cadillac Jim 07/28: Three RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS ENDORSE BECK FOR SHERIFF 07/25: COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE TO BECK EVENT WITH MARILYN LLOYD 07/25: GERMANS LOVE OBAMA; CHATTANOOGANS LOVE VOLKSWAGEN~GREAT YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS! 07/24: Restore Integrity in Sheriff's Department~Elect Greg Beck 07/18: EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY! 07/17: ANNIE HALL and Dr. Brent Staton named to direct "Padgett for U.S. Senate" Campaign in Chattanooga 07/16: Corruption & Poor Judgment: Hammond insists on Keeping Corrupt Cop 07/15: Support Greg Beck this week for canvassing and early vote |
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