Memorial Day 2011

Only yesterday I learned that it wasn’t until 1971 that Memorial Day – formerly called Decoration Day (as it is still in some quarters) – was officially declared a national holiday. 

It is a sacred day. 

Here is an excerpt, from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website, that provides background information on the origins of Memorial Day:

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country

Decoration Day became Memorial Day, a day of commemoration for those who throughout U.S. history gave their lives in defense of this nation.  It is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May.

Reflection, showing and feeling gratitude, and thinking about the preservation of the eternal human rights of freedom and liberty for which these blessed people gave their lives, is all good.  But I believe we can take the occasion of this Memorial Day to say thanks and honor the sacrifice of those who fell, were wounded – and anyone who wore the uniform of our armed forces – with a commitment to a more engaged and active form of thinking about and saying thanks.

Of course, those who actually served in our armed forces are the best and bravest and noblest of our populace  Our veterans and those presently serving are walking the walk and talking the talk – and I don’t presume to be worthy of offering any one of them a suggestion on service and sacrifice.

Yet there are those like myself – civilians and the protected who have never worn the uniform – who can do so much more than they are presently doing to help our military.  I do a tiny bit of volunteering in this area, but it is tiny, and I need to do more. 

There are many wonderful people out there who give selflessly and with tremendous love and passion to improve the lives of our service men and women. 

I want to follow their lead.   More and more of us should follow their lead. 

If you are a writer, cannot you give your time to a returning vet looking for work through helping him or her write a cover letter, or a resume, or helping the vet to tell his or her story for a journal or article, or even a book? 

How about you accountants?  Think you could donate tax preparation or tax advice services to a vet who needs help in this area?

For sure, there are many doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who donate considerable amount of time to our armed forces.  But how about you in the healthcare profession who aren’t donating time – could you find the time to give in this area, at least a little?

You haven’t participated in a “troops care package” event yet?   Well, now is the time. 

Get yourself a pen pal – someone serving right now – and write to him or her, on snail mail or email, or both. 

Attorneys?  Vets need help with contracts and other legal advice. 

Contact the volunteer department of the VA Boston Healthcare System - which includes the Brockton VA Campus –to volunteer.  Here is a link to a web page that has info on volunteering with the VA Boston Healthcare System:  http://www.boston.va.gov/giving/

The Wounded Warrior Project is doing God's work  – serving U.S. injured service men and women.  Here is a link to the Wounded Warrior Project website.

On the subject of God's work  – Homes For Our Troops (www.homesforourtroops.org) "builds specially adapted homes four our severely injured veterans" who served since September 11, 2001 – "at no cost to the veterans we serve."  Homes Four Our Troops (HFOT), based next door in Taunton, and founded by local construction professional, John Gonsalves, has built more than 100 homes across the nation for veterans.

HFOT could use donations and volunteer help. 

Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org) – a national treasure – donates "'comfort homes,' built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury."

This is just a sampling of suggestions of ways to help – and a listing highly reputable charity groups helping our veterans.   

Limitless are the opportunities to give and support our veterans and active duty military personnel. 

On this Memorial Day let us resolve to do give more for those who have given – some who have given all – to defend our liberties and preserve our republic.

God Bless America.