Memorial Day 2010
Good morning! ! ! ! A couple months ago, for the first time, my wife Helen and I had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC. What an honor and humbling experience it was. We began our visit by exploring the Visitor Center, and the first thing I saw there was hundreds of pictures of Service Men and Women who are buried in Arlington. I noticed one poster board in particular that had many wallet-sized pictures ... a young girl in the Army, kneeling next to her pet dog .... she did not look old enough to have graduated from college ... and then there was a Marine in Full Uniform. He too, could not have been over 25 years of age.
I did not know their names, or what state they were from. But they were young, and it made me think about those that have given everything so that we can be free. And what was the average age of these brave soldiers, marines & sailors? Looking at the pictures .... and it is just a guess on my part, but most were between the ages of 25 and 30. If that is true, then that is very young ... and every day they are burying young men and women .... whether it is in Arlington National Cemetery, or in Tacoma Washington, or Portland Maine.
As Helen and I started to walk through the cemetery, you couldn't help but notice the large trees over 200 years old standing tall and strong. All of the white crosses lined up perfect as far as the eye can see. I stopped at a few and read their names, rank, and what state they were from. And although the day was busy with tourists, it was very quiet in the cemetery. You could here the birds singing ... then we heard Taps from a distance, being played at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. As we left the cemetery, you couldn't help but have a heavy heart for the men and women who are buried there and their families that must miss them so.
Today is Memorial Day, 2010. And we are here together at this service to honor all of those who have given their life so that we can be free today and always. The young Army girl & Marine that I spoke of earlier ... their life on earth is over ... but gathering together on this day is one way to show our appreciation and gratitude.
But how do we extend the reverence we feel today through the other days of the year? And more importantly, how do we ensure that Memorial Day continues to be observed with profound reverence, whether we are a nation at war or not?
We must teach others about the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf so that we might continue to enjoy the liberties and freedoms granted in our Constitution. We must help future generations understand the act of committing yourself to your Country and that being willing to fight for the freedom of others is among the most noble of endeavors. We can do this by volunteering to help those Veterans who are still with us .... by assisting a family who is grieving the loss of a service member .... or by visiting those injured in service to the Nation to help them build a new life .....
Each of us must find ways to ensure the legacy of our heroes. Their history deserves telling and re-telling .... Find a way in your life ... at work or at home, at church or a youth group meeting ... where ever ... to keep their memories alive. Honor their sacrifices ... tell their stories ... cherish their memories ... and finally, continue to gather together on this special day, Memorial Day, each year to pay homage to each of them. Make this day an annual reminder of the need to give of yourself in honor of those who have given everything.
Thank you. Have a safe & blessed Memorial Day.
Mayor Thomas Oliverio