I want to thank you all for the support you have given me over the years in writing this blog. I never thought I would be someone who enjoyed writing as much as I do. It has been a little over three years since I started sharing my story with you and hopefully I have touched at least one heart out there and/or helped an individual find what they were looking for.
So, what do I have in store for you today?? Most already know, Memorial Day!
(As always, I have done a bit of research and here is where I shall begin...)
First, let me say that I am very proud of the men and women who dedicate their lives to keep me safe day and night. I pray for them all each and everyday. It takes, in my opinion, a special man or woman to serve this country. Especially with the way the world is today. For those that are gone but not forgotten, my God bless your family and give them peace. For those that are still serving today, "THANK YOU"!!! You are the reason I can lay down and sleep well each night.
Memorial Day, as we celebrate it today, started out as 'Decoration Day'. This was after the Civil War in 1868. When the Grand Army of the Republic, organization of Union Veterans, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the war dead's graves with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holidays traditions celebrated on different days. They finally merged and Memorial Day was extended to honor 'ALL' Americans who died serving in the Military services
In 1967, the Federal law makers passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, moving four holidays to Monday to establish to increase the number of three-day weekends for Federal workers. The four original holidays are Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. The have been others that has since been changed to this Monday Holiday Act which was passed into law on June 28,1968. Note that Veteran's Day was removed from this list and placed back on to it's traditional date of Nov. 11 by act of Congress in 1975.
Memorial Day became this holiday's official name by Federal law in 1971. You can get more detail information from Google about Memorial Day and how it came about and the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, as that is where my information was gathered from.
As this day approached this year, I sat and read on social media sites people sharing of loved ones that they honor on this day. I wonder if many of the younger generations know how this holiday came to be. If they know what part in building this nation their ancestors had a part in. Or if the town or state in which they live had any part in this building of this nation called America.
Most of you know where I am from, Kings Mountain, NC, was a pivotal part in the building of America. Unfortunately, I feel that most of the younger generations coming up have no idea the great things, battles won or lost, the struggles the people, their ancestors had to face. Even some young people here where I live may not really understand the impact the 'Battle of Kings Mountain' have in that day and time.
Our country was build on the ideals of freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to bear arms, and many more. As I look around today, I can see how just slowly and surely all of these values that our forefathers held near and dear to them are slipping away.
American has a military service that has become strictly voluntary. Men and women sign up for service in the Armed Forces of America. Why you may ask? Why did they get rid of the draft? My personal opinion on those two questions are, they feel the need, the calling to be of service, they have that special something (cause I don't know what it is, but if you know someone that is in the military you can see it in them) it takes to say 'this is my country, my people and you are not going to harm what I love and hold near and dear to my heart, I will not allow it!'
And, my friends, this is why we celebrate the lost lives of the men and woman in the Armed Forces of these United States. They do a job just like the rest of us but with one extremely huge difference...they put their life on the line 24/7 just because they spoke up and said "I will do that". "Let me be a part of what keeps this country, America, safe at night. I will do what I must, including laying down my life if it will protect and preserve America."
The men and women that lost their lives and yes, the ones that are still out there protecting us, deserve our respect and appreciation for what they do and what they have done!! The fallen, as some folks refer to the men and women that have died during service to this once great nation, deserve our respect, gratitude, appreciation, love, condolences and much more than that for the job they do. They endure more in one tour of duty (and if you don't know what that is, Google it...just saying') than most of us that are not in the Armed Forces will ever, if ever have endured in our lifetime.
I shutter at the thoughts of Americans stomping on the flag, burning the flag, or just plain disrespect for the men and women of these United States.
I pray that we are not all lost like a lot of these folks are. If you know Jesus as Lord and Savior, I pray that you keep your connection strong, on a daily basis. If you don't, then find out what it is you want and learn to pray for God's will in your life and not your own. Take it to God and leave it with Him. He will work it out as it should be.
Again, 'HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY' to you all. You are unique individuals and I truly appreciate the job you do.
**** I decided that I wanted to add this video "Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance" that is on YouTube.com. (just click on it) If everyone would listen, I mean really listen to this, maybe somethings would be okay in out nation...what a wish on this Memorial
Day, that our country, our nation would be once again as these words describe the way it once was...just sayin'
