Memorial Day is the holiday that commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service. There will be speeches and ceremonies, visits to cemeteries and memorials, and the placing of American flags on the grave sites and monuments to the fallen. Soldiering can be a dangerous business even in peacetime and all those who gave their lives in this essential endeavor deserve to be honored and remembered for their sacrifice.
Except for memories in their honor, the dead are beyond us, however they leave behind the living – the families and former comrades in arms who need our help, many of them desperately. What better commemorative to those who gave all than to ensure that the nation fulfills its moral obligation and legal responsibilities for the care of the living families, service members, and veterans of America’s military?
That would be a true living memorial that could and should be seen every day, not just once a year on the last Monday in May.
Martin G. Richman
Chief Warrant Officer 4
U.S. Army (Retired)
Editors’ note: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9242 and American Legion Post 69 will host a ceremony on the 151st anniversary of Memorial Day at noon May 29 at the Veterans’ Memorial Building, 649 San Benito St. The ceremony will feature a banner presentation and a barbecue lunch immediately following the ceremony. Lunch, which includes tri-tip sandwich, beans, chips and a drink, is $10.
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