Our Break Room

Presentation at the Memorial Day Service in Lyons, WI  – 5/29/2017

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending the Homecoming Parade at Mitchell International Airport for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.  This moved me to write something for today and share with all of you.

While it was a joyous occasion unlike our gathering today, the feelings of remembering those who had died and the sacrifices they made surfaced in my heart.  I pondered the future of our Memorial Day Service.  What will it look like in another five years, or even ten years?

The Honor Flight homecoming was a very heartwarming, moving, and awesome experience to say the least!  Recalling the lives lost in battle, gratitude to our Almighty Father for sparing these soldiers another day and the chance to return home to their families, tugged at my emotions.

The expression of support for our country and our veterans was awe-inspiring.

100’s, maybe 1000’s of family and friends came out in full force, displaying the Red, White and Blue, to welcome our Veteran’s home from their day spent touring the memorials in Washington DC.  For most veterans, this was just one of the many surprises for them throughout the day.

There were 90 veterans and their guardians on the flight that left at 5:30 am from Mitchell International.

• 13 of them were World War II veterans, 1 woman-12 men.
• 76 were Korean Veterans all men.
• They ranged in age from 74 years to 98 years old.
• Coming from 17 Counties across 3 states
• and from all branches of the Service.

These veterans have played a large part in the freedom’s we enjoy today.

The opportunity to welcome them home and thank them for their service is truly a great privilege and open to anyone.

The opportunity to support this project, through volunteering or donations, is also available to anyone. I would encourage you to participate in some manner.

Stars and Stripes Honor Flight is now accepting applications for Vietnam Veterans in addition to the World War II and Korean veterans for the Fall trips.  If you know a veteran please encourage them to apply.  They will not be disappointed.

 So, what will our Memorial Day Service Look Like in the Future. 

Unless you are closely connected to a service person, Memorial Day often times depicts remembering those from past wars: Civil Wars, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam etc.  The current conflicts going on today and in more recent years often times aren’t recalled as readily.

While the fatalities have declined considerably and are no-where near the numbers from past wars, today’s military is not exempt from losing those that continue to fight for our freedom.

According to iCasulaties.org this year alone, 11 US lives have been lost as a result of war.

31 lives have been lost since we last gathered a year ago.

And…since October 2001 – U.S. Department of Defense reports approximately 6900 US lives have been lost in war.

This does not include those that suffer from PTSD and other war related trauma and illnesses.

I feel it is our duty as a citizen of the United States of America to continue to remember these brave men and women for years to come.

Thank you to our Local American Legion Post 327 for their participation today.  As you can see their numbers are dwindling.

Today our World War II veterans are few and far between and the number of Korean Veterans is declining as well.

Again, I ask…What will our Memorial Day Service look like in another 5-10 years?

If you know a veteran that has served our country in any military capacity I would ask you to encourage them to join their local Veteran’s Post to help carry on the Memorial Day traditions across the nation.

I would encourage you to teach your children about the importance of remembering those that died fighting for our freedom.

As a child part of this Memorial Day Service, here in Lyons, included all of us jumping on the back of pickup trucks after the service and going to the cemeteries to place flags on the graves of veterans.  We would comb through the cemetery and search out the metal grave markers depicting the branch of service, respectfully placing a flag at their final resting spot.  A somber reminder of what this day is all about.

While today is not Veteran’s Day it is a good day to thank all of our Veteran’s for their service to this great country!  We thank their families for their commitment to stand behind their soldier.

It is a day, specific, to remember those who served our country and gave freely the ultimate sacrifice of death.  We thank those who served and are no longer with us.

In closing, please bow your heads and remember the following who have died since last Memorial Day.

*bold print identifies those that have died since January 1, 2017. 

Please remember their families who mourn their loss this first Memorial Day without them.

God Bless America

With respect and love,
Linda

This entry was posted on Friday, May 26th, 2017 at 2:01 pm and is filed under Holidays, Inspirational. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.