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Memorial Day Parade - May 27th 2019

10:30 am Start time at the American Legion and Ends with a Ceremony at the Gazebo
Posted on: April 5, 2019 - 12:06pm
2017 Memorial Day Parade

THE MEANING OF MEMORIAL DAY

A few days ago I heard an announcer say that this weekend marks the “beginning of summer”.  Over the last few days your newspapers and television commercials have been filled with “Memorial Day Sales” and most people get the day off from work.  I asked a friend last week if his 13 year old granddaughter understood the meaning of Memorial Day and his answer was probably not.

Memorial Day is a day to recognize those men and women who have sacrificed their lives to ensure that all of us continue to enjoy the freedoms that we have in this great Country.

I know that Veterans and all of you understand the importance of this day, but what about those that do not attend these gatherings and most importantly the younger generations that will follow.

In an article written by Gary Kurpius, Commander-in-Chief of the VFW from 2006 to 2007 he made the comment that “Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance”.  That is why we gather here today and similar ceremonies are taking place across the nation.

It is our responsibility as Veterans and citizens to ensure that the meaning of this day is never lost behind the barbeques, the day at the beach and the sales.  

I will ask all of you to spend some time today talking to the young people that you meet and to other adults about the true meaning of Memorial Day so they can pass this on to their friends and neighbors.

Sometimes we take the freedom and liberties that we all enjoy for granted.  If we do not continue to remember the sacrifices of the men and women that we honor here today then the reason for their sacrifice will be forgotten.