Remembering Our Heroes – Memorial Day 2020
“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” — Nathan Hale, 21, 1776
Traditionally, Memorial Day is filled with BBQs, pool parties, and neighborhood bashes. The long, three-day weekend is perfect for kicking off summer.
Yet, Memorial Day is so much more than that. It is about reflection, remembrance, and gratitude for those who have given their lives for our freedom.
This year, why not try reading the original Decoration Day proclamation. Given in 1868, General Order No. 11 is both inspiring and sobering. Take time to show respect and gratitude towards our fallen heroes, veterans, and active duty service members support our troops –
- Display the flag — be sure to use proper etiquette. On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-mast from sunrise until noon. At 12:01, it should be promptly raised to full mast until sunset, in recognition of all veterans.
- Speak respectfully of service members. Refuse to belittle or demean them, or their sacrifice.
- Say thank you — demonstrating your gratitude by simply saying “thanks” goes a long way to those who have served or who are serving. It is also a way to honor the memory of those who have died.
- Support the families of service members — they are sacrificing much as well. Offer them your friendship and a helping hand as they live life with their loved ones far away from home.
- Send care packages to troops — sending service members a piece of home boosts their morale and shows them they are not forgotten.
- Welcome a service member into your home. If they are far from their own families, adopt them into yours.
- Visit a local cemetery and place flags on the graves of deceased service members.
Since her birth, America has stood for freedom. For liberty. She has proclaimed that all men are created equal — and has fought long and hard to preserve these “truths that are self-evident.” She has been challenged, time and time again, as she defended all that her flag represents.
Comprising of 6 branches, including the newly formed Space Force, the United States Military is the strongest in the world. It is full of brave men and women who give of themselves un-surpassingly to ensure that our flag still stands for glorious freedom. But freedom is never free. Many lives have been lost for freedom to reign. Consider the American lives lost in the following wars.
- The War for Independence (1775-1783) – 25,000
- The War of 1812 (1812-1815) – 20,000
- The Mexican American War (1846-1848) – 13,283
- The American Civil War (1861-1865) – 620,000
- The Spanish-American War (1898) – 3,000
- World War I – (1917-1918) 116,708
- World War II – (1941-1945) 407,316
- The Korean War – (1950-1953) 33,651
- The Vietnam War – (1964-1975) 58,168
- The Gulf War – (1990-1991) 382
- The War in Iraq & Afghanistan – (2001-present) 6,013— and counting
Countless others have been declared missing. And even more have returned home wounded in body or soul, never again the same.
On this Memorial Day, the team at ERG Staffing wishes each of you a safe and special Memorial Day, as you and your family spend time together remembering those who have given their all. Have a great weekend!