Memorial Day weekend heralds the beginning of summer for many. But for too many, it's also personal, marking the annual official holiday when we remember, mourn and give thanks to loved ones in uniform who died for our freedom, our flag and our future as a free nation.
Social media has been replete with remembrances, somewhat akin to placing virtual flowers and flags where the departed lie at rest. Some examples:
TRENDING: To DEI for
All too typical of the many unique and heart-rending messages, these thoughts were posted by a father whose only son was killed in Iraq ten years ago.
"As I often do, I sit on the edge of his grave at the same position where I was sitting that day we buried him on August 27, 2005. It was so pleasant and relaxing I could not resist laying down and listening to the birds chirp and sing. As I lay partially across Mike's grave I looked up. It hit me with splendor, for I saw from that perspective what I had never taken enough time to notice before and for good reason. I always looked down. But now I was looking up from the vantage point of where Mike lay. My heart was encouraged, for I saw what Mike saw and what he fought for: a Flag that speaks freedom and a Heaven where God offers us an eternal home." – Robert Stokely
Elsewhere on the Internet, we found this touching story of an 11-year-old boy who held a flag and a salute for more than an hour at Omaha Beach last year on the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
The video shows us a proud young American boy who for a moment, stood alone with a flag on a beach in Normandy. The 11-year-old displays a keen understanding of the sacrifice made by so many young American servicemen on this beach 70 years before. This boy's father deserves accolades for teaching him the indelible values of honor, courage and self-sacrifice. Please watch the video to its conclusion. You'll be glad you did. I promise.
Teach the children well ... and the little children shall lead.
Following 5-year-old Josiah's example would make war less probable, wouldn't it?
What should you remember on Memorial Day? The history of Memorial Day, famous War Memorials, and patriotic America, for starters.
One of the more unusual memorials is the Anthem Veterans Memorial in Arizona which has some unique features:
- Its five pillars represent the unity of the five branches of the United States military serving steadfast together.
- They are staggered in size with their appropriate military seal placements on each pillar.
- At precisely 11:11 a.m. each Veterans Day (Nov. 11), the sun's rays pass through the ellipses of the five Armed Services pillars to form a perfect solar spotlight over a mosaic of the Great Seal of the United States.
As we reflect upon our fellow countrymen who died defending the USA, we also remember the comedian who brought smiles and cheer to our boys in uniform, many of whom never made it back home.
The National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military features a grouping of sixteen larger-than-life-size bronze figures in a 48-foot diameter circular plaza. The figures represent a typical road show with Bob entertaining troops near the front. The National Salute is a fitting tribute to not only Bob Hope but to the legions of servicemen and women he entertained over the years.
The National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military memorial reminds us of a man whose last name personified the gift he gave to our military.
Entertainer Bob Hope was renowned for his affection and support for our troops. In fact, the beloved comedian who traveled the world to lift their spirits was given the title "Honorary Veteran" by Task Unit 77.4.3 of Taffy III, as inscribed on a plaque at the memorial park at the Port of San Diego.
"Bob Hope, the actor, entertainer and comedian, is almost universally known around the world for his long career as a star of film and television. Yet it is in the hearts of generations of U.S. servicemen that his most enduring legacy resides. For a span of over fifty years beginning in 1943, he dedicated himself to entertaining soldiers, sailors and airmen of the armed forces in the many battle fronts and remote outposts where they've served throughout the world. His overseas USO tours, which often took place over Christmas, were deeply appreciated and fondly remembered by countless thousands of servicemen on protracted tours of duty, often under combat conditions, far from their homes and families." – Port of San Diego website.
Related: HGTV has now made it possible for you to view interiors of Bob Hope's fabulous former home in Toluca Lake, California. The very comfortable home he left to be where our troops were, no matter where, no matter when.