Growing up in a small town I remember the parades honoring our veterans, as the VFW members passed by, some in old military vehicles, some on horses, and some in parade uniforms.
I also remember other veterans and the wives of deceased veterans on downtown streets going from person-to-person selling artificial Red Poppy mementos for 2-cents or a nickle to raise money for veteran activities. As the evening turned to twilight we might even have a few fireworks overhead, or sparklers in the hands of kids (typically older than me) running up and down the sidewalks.
Of course, everyone gave the veterans a nickel or dime rather than two cents, but if you didn't have any change, they'd still give you a pretty little poppy. We'd watch a parade that typically would end up at the local cemetery, where there would be flag ceremonies and observances in remembrances of the fallen soldiers who had given everything in times of war.
In those days, people honored and cherished our veterans and those in military service. I can remember a few years when my two uncles on my mother's side would come to visit for the holiday. One was an officer in the Air Force and the other an officer in the Army. I remember that my mother would go with them to the cemetery and they would 'decorate' the graves of not only our immediate family members who had passed, but also put a small American Flag on the graves of veterans they had served with who had passed either due to 'action', illness or age.
Those days of late 1950's seemed like a simpler place in the world to this small boy. As I would wonder between the graves looking for mischief to get into, I would sometimes see the flat marble gravestones, tarnished by time and read something that seemed odd to me... Joe , Beloved Son of David and Ethel, 1846 - 1864 Killed at Marks' Mills in Service to the Union Army; then right next to that gravestone was Andrew, Beloved Son of David and Ethel, 1847 - 1864, killed at Jenkins' Ferry in Service to the Confederate Army. Two brothers only a year apart in age, killed the same year (in fact just days apart) fighting the same war at different battles on opposing forces.
That was the Civil War, the most lethal engagement in our Nation's History. But even before the Civil War was over, widows started decorating the graves of soldiers who had died in battle on both sides. Then, on May 5, 1868, General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed May 30 to be "Decoration Day".
It was a day to remember all of those those who had died in service by placing flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. A few years later, first one state and then another began recognizing the holiday, until finally by 1890, it was celebrated across this great country on the last Monday of May. It was then renamed, "Memorial Day."
Today, the observance of Memorial Day, as I remembered from my childhood has given way to the unofficial start of summer. Most college students have headed home from campus, and many kids are already out of school for summer break. This is when many Americans take their first 'summer' vacation and enjoy their first summer cookout or their first swim in a newly opened pool, or even head to the ballpark to enjoy America's 'past-time.'
As a Boy Scout, I recall my Troop would spend countless hours placing small flags on the graves of soldiers in the local cemetery the day before Memorial Day. Each one had to be spaced just right to meet flag etiquette.
But today, with the exception of our hallowed National Cemeteries, the graves of fallen soldiers are increasingly ignored and, in some cases, go neglected.
Some smaller communities continue traditional Memorial Day observances, but far too many places around our country view Memorial Day as a part of American history they wish would fade away faster.
But for those who have lost family members in the military, this holiday will forever be a day of remembrance. It is cherished as a time honored tradition where a Red Poppy is pinned to a family member's lapel as a small American Flag is placed next to the grave marker of their loved one. It is a time when family, veterans and military members kneel to honor those who gave their full measure of devotion in service to our Nation.
Let us not forget what this holiday truly means, please join me in remembering our active members of the Armed Forces, Reserves and Veterans, especially wounded warriors. For they and their families is what Memorial Day is truly all about.
And to the members of the Armed Forces, past and present, our Reserve members and Veterans, please know that we here at Insightful Accountant truly do appreciate your service and it does not go unnoticed. We are grateful for your sacrifices today—and forever more.