Every time Memorial Day and Veterans Day comes
around my minds goes to the many times I've attended
parades and special observances put on by the cities
in our area and the various veterans organizations.
Several of those times my husband, Duane,
participated in the events as a candidate for State
Assembly and U.S. Congress. As a decorated Vietnam
Vet he always received a warm welcome. Well, except
for a couple of the very left-coast towns.
When our sons were growing up we would get out the
picture albums of Duane's time in the Army, read
together about why we observed these holidays in
America out of the encyclopedia, and after dinner,
which was usually a bar-be-que, we'd sit down and
watch a movie or documentary on one of the wars our
Armed Forces have fought in.
Some will think what we did was to indoctrinate our
sons in a pro-war mindset. But, actually we were
educating them in the realities of war. We wanted to
instill in them an appreciation for those who laid
their lives on the line to protect the rest of us,
and the freedoms we enjoy, during times of war. We
also wanted to make sure they had no romantic ideas
about war as boys can have. If the time ever came
for them to go to war it would be with their eyes
wide open and the cost counted.
There is no glamour in war. War is hell. But, even
the Bible states there is a time for peace and a
time for war. This is, unfortunately, part of life
on planet earth. While we debate and work and pray
for peace, wars still rage. And while I understand
the reasons some chose a passivist position,
passivity never brings peace, only the rule of
aggressive, totalitarian governments and leaders.
So, until the earth's weapons are turned into
plowshares, let us honor the brave men and women who
have served, and even died, on behalf of our
country. I mean, really honor them, not just in
sentiment, but with action.
Let's also take the time to not only educate our
children and grandchildren about the realities of
peace and war, but foster a genuine appreciation for
freedom and for those who fight to preserve it.
Here are a few ideas you may want to use to make
this Memorial Day a memorable one:
~Visit memorials
~Fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon
~Fly the 'POW/MIA Flag
~Participate in a "National Moment of Remembrance"
at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning
of the day
~Play Taps
~Renew a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and
orphans of our fallen soldiers
~Visit veterans in the hospital
~Donate to aid disabled veterans
Also, tune in to my show on Memorial Day with Shauna
Fleming, founder of "A Million Thanks". This
incredible high school student has collected over
1.4 million thank you letters and emails to send to
our current and former service men and women. It's a
dose of pure 'feel good' patriotism in action! (See
below).
This Memorial Day make sure you remember, and
encourage others to remember, why we have this day
off. It's not just about a picnic.
© Sharon Hughes 2005
Sharon is the President of
The Center for Changing Worldviews, and hosts
Changing Worldviews TALK Radio which is heard
Monday, Wednesday and Friday on KDIA AM1640 San
Francisco/Vallejo; Saturdays KGDP AM660 Santa Maria
WITA AM1490 Knoxville, TN, as well as online daily
at Oneplace.com. Her column appears on several
online news sites. She maintains a blog at
http://changingworldviews.blogspot.com.
Make
Memorial Day Memorable