There are three dates that are important to this country. These are three distinct dates that have all but been run together in the minds of the public. Many forget that each symbolizes something special and each is unique. Sadly, for many these three dates have become just holidays on the calendar but each is important and they should not be confused with each other.
One of these, of course, is Veterans Day. It is a day set aside to honor those who have previously served in our country's military. Recently we saw how forgotten it has become when one school teacher actually taught her class that it was spelled with an apostrophe, "… because it belongs to the veterans." Not so! It has no apostrophe because it is a day to honor veterans. It belongs to this country and is our way of remembering and saying, "Thanks."
For many years Veterans Day was called "Armistice Day" because it honored those who fought in World War I and because that war ended when an armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. In 1954 Congress changed the name to "Veterans Day" to recognize all who previously served this country in all its wars.
The second important day comes this Saturday, May 16th, when we celebrate Armed Forces Day. This is the day when we have the opportunity to pay tribute to and honor those who are currently defending this nation's interests at every far-flung spot on the globe. It has been taking place since 1950 and is the day when the military often sponsors parades, air shows, and tours of ships, planes, and bases. All of this is done, of course, to demonstrate the readiness of our fighting men and women and to show the sorts of hard experiences they have to endure to keep us safe.
For many of our soldiers, sailors and airmen Armed Forces Day this year won't be taken up with parades and receptions. This year they will be in the line of fire, on duty in some of the most difficult circumstances of their lives. We ought to all remember them particularly and say a special prayer for them.
The third important day comes at the end of this month. Originally called "Decoration Day" it was set aside as a time to decorate soldiers' graves with flowers and flags and to remember what has been called "the ultimate sacrifice". It takes place on the last Monday in May as we honor those who gave their lives in military service.
One of the most memorable of these Memorial Days was when General James Garfield (later President Garfield) gave a speech at Arlington National Cemetery in remembrance of fallen soldiers, saying that "… for love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue." His speech so touched those who heard it that afterward some 5,000 people joined to decorate the graves of more than 20,000 soldiers buried there.
Today at all of our national grave sites there are far too many young men and women buried. Each has given up their future so that this country can have a future. How can we look upon those rows and rows of grave marker and crosses and forget these three important dates? To do so would go against the heart and soul of this country.
Think about it.
