Memorial Day 2013
This week is Memorial Day weekend. To many it marks the beginning of summer, no more school, the beach, the lake, sales, picnics, races and cook-outs, etc, etc. Like almost every other National Holiday Memorial Day for the most part has gotten far away from it's roots. The significance of Memorial Day is seldom taught in school anymore and even less in the home.
Memorial Day was established as a day of remembrance, originally as Decoration Day after the Civil War to commemorate both Union and Confederate soldiers who died in that war. Later it was officially extended to remember and honor all Americans who have died while in military service.
I find it rather awkward when people announce, "have a happy Memorial Day". The only happiness I can muster at remembering the dead is in the hope they are now in Heaven.
For many, they will be flying the flag this week-end, I would remind folks that there is specific protocol for flying the flag. There are only two times the flag is officially flown at half staff, by order of the president or by order of the governor. In recent years it has become acceptable for some department heads and ship commanders to order the flag flown at half staff and half mast but that is not the official procedure. The flag is not flown at half staff the entire week-end but only from sunrise to noon on Memorial Day its self. At noon the flag should be returned quickly to its position at the top of the staff. Of course the flag should always be lowered slowly and raised quickly and the flag should never be flown at night unless it is illuminated.
Memorial Day was established as a day of remembrance, originally as Decoration Day after the Civil War to commemorate both Union and Confederate soldiers who died in that war. Later it was officially extended to remember and honor all Americans who have died while in military service.
I find it rather awkward when people announce, "have a happy Memorial Day". The only happiness I can muster at remembering the dead is in the hope they are now in Heaven.
For many, they will be flying the flag this week-end, I would remind folks that there is specific protocol for flying the flag. There are only two times the flag is officially flown at half staff, by order of the president or by order of the governor. In recent years it has become acceptable for some department heads and ship commanders to order the flag flown at half staff and half mast but that is not the official procedure. The flag is not flown at half staff the entire week-end but only from sunrise to noon on Memorial Day its self. At noon the flag should be returned quickly to its position at the top of the staff. Of course the flag should always be lowered slowly and raised quickly and the flag should never be flown at night unless it is illuminated.
posted by Allen Barrett | 9:43 AM
2 Comments:
Excellent post!
As I remembered those passed heroes who died for this once great nation I found myself offering up prayers of apology for what we have let the nation become thus belittling their sacrifices by the attitudes of entitlement and free access to our nations enemies.
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