This month we have a most solemn National Holiday, Memorial Day. Conceived initially as Decoration Day to commemorate the war dead of the Civil War and celebrated differently across the States for many years, and officially established as the last Monday of May in 1971. In 2000 a moment of silence was added for individual observance at 3 PM local time. We will fly our flags at half-staff for the first half of the day on the last Monday of May to commemorate Memorial Day. We will do so to Honor the 1,354,664+ who died in service of our blessed Republic.
Whether Crispus Attucks, Domingo Arroyo, Chance Phelps, Megan McClung, Jesse Strong, Zach Kolda, or another of the 1.3 Million plus Americans who have given their lives for our Republic, they are as different as the flowers of the fields. These heroes came from all 50 states and US Territories, from big cities and small towns, rich and poor, of every ethnicity and many religions. They were tall and short, athletes and non-athletes, men and women. While they were different, they were all some mother’s son or daughter, a brother or sister, father or mother, wife or husband, family or friend.
They did not all die in valorous battles, but they are all heroes. They have that in common because they courageously stood for our Republic and the principles it represents. In doing their duty and giving the last full measure of their devotion, their blood watered the tree of liberty, and their spirits animate our patriotism. In their service, they became brothers and sisters; they became our sons and daughters in their death.
So regardless of your cookout or ballgame, on Monday, find a ceremony and take your kids. In Waxahachie, that’s at 0900 at the Civic Center Veterans Memorial. At the least, I hope you will join me on Monday 30 May at 3 PM wherever you are for a moment of prayer for the eternal souls of our sons and daughters and for the blessed Republic, these United States of America, for which they gave their lives. May their memory be eternal, so we never forget, and that this Republic never fail them.
