Memorial Day Remembering Their Sacrifices, by Debbie Lee
As a Mother of a hero who willingly gave his life in combat,
Memorial Day has taken on an entirely different meaning. My son Marc Alan Lee
was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06. Three times that day he stood up
into the direct line of fire and willingly gave his life defending his
teammates and our freedoms.
Marc understood that there was a price for our freedom and like
so many others before him, was willing to go into battle to keep America
free.
Memorial
Day is set aside to remember those brave warriors who while defending
us, lost their lives in combat.
We have over 600,000 men and women who have died in combat since
WWI. 600,000 Gold Star families and Brothers at arms, who have buried a loved
one and to whom every day is/was Memorial Day.
You can imagine the pain and frustration to the friends and
families of these fallen heroes when the majority of Americans are clueless as
to the real meaning of Memorial Day. Our loved ones gave their final breath so
that you could enjoy all of the freedoms and blessings that you have in
America. All we ask is that as a nation we come together this weekend and
acknowledge, honor and remember our heroes.
I have been on a campaign for years trying to educate people
about the history and meaning of Memorial Day what it is and what it is not! It
is not a time to "Celebrate Memorial day", it is not "Happy Memorial
Day." I am sure that ignorance plays a part in the party mentality
of the 3-day weekend. We see major advertising about big "blow out"
sales, advertisements to "kick off your summer", prepare for the big
bar-b-ques and camping trips and parades. Many families know it marks the end
of the school year and the community pools will be opening.
I was part of that ignorant group for years. I wasn't taught the
real meaning of Memorial Day. Oh we visited a few graves through the years and
placed flowers on the graves of family members who had died in child-birth,
from sickness and different causes. Most of the time it was just a family
gathering with picnics and bar-b ques enjoying all of the freedoms that we have
but not reflecting on those who paid the ultimate price so we could enjoy them.
I was not taught, and I am sorry for the opportunities that were missed to
honor our fallen, and focus on the sacrifices made for me.
Often times people mistakenly recognize and thank all of those
who have served. Veterans Day is the National Holiday when we do that. I've
dedicated my life to honoring and thanking our troops 24/7 364 days of the
year, but Memorial Day is for those who died in war.
Tradition used to be that businesses closed on Memorial Day and
flew their flags at half staff to remember our war dead, what a switch from
today, where it has turned into a major money making weekend.
After the civil war ended Maj General Logan established
Decoration Day and spoke these words. : "We should guard their graves with
sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of
reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time,
testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a
people the cost of a free and undivided republic."
Have
we as a nation forgotten the cost? Will you help me put Memorial back in
Memorial Day?
Please plan your weekend to remember those heroes who gave
everything for you. I'm not asking you not to have a bar-b-que, picnic or
gatherings with families or to walk around with sullen faces the entire
weekend. Our loved ones sacrificed so you could enjoy those freedoms, but there
should be somber moments when we focus on the cost that was paid.
As you gather take advantage of that time together and take a
few moments to share the story of a fallen hero, remind others what the real
meaning of Memorial Day is about. Tell your children and grandchildren about
these brave heroes who paid the price for them to enjoy this day, take them to
a National Cemetery and place flowers on graves or stop and honor them. Attend
a ceremony or memorial, watch a video or TV program about our fallen, read a
story, find a Gold Star family near you and let them know you will never
forget. If you know other Veterans ask them if they've lost a teammate and
maybe they will tell you about them. Pray for the families of the fallen.
Technology has changed our world and it is so easy to find the
History of Memorial Day, read about heroes, and reach out and honor and
remember our fallen and their families. It is also a great way to remind your
friends the real meaning of Memorial Day, use that tool to educate others and
honor our fallen heroes who are America's National Treasures.
While
we look back and remember our fallen heroes this weekend, we focus forward and
live our lives worthy of the sacrifice they made for you, for me and for
America, "the land of the free, because of the brave."
Debbie Lee and son,
Marc A. Lee
Marc A. Lee
First Navy SEAL KIA in Iraq
Aug 2, 2006
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1 comment:
Well stated Debbie.
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