Memorial Day 2013

A day to remember and honor my brothers-and-sisters-in-arms who have preceded me to the Final Formation at Fiddler's Green.  As I have for many years, I will gather with the Usual Suspects up at my American Legion Post and go about our usual Memorial Day program.  First we hold a small ceremony at City Hall to honor the deceased veterans of our little city.  Then the Honor Guard leads the parade down the city's main drag to a small cemetery near our Post, where the local dignitaries and our chaplain will speak of the makers of the ultimate sacrifice for our country.  After the last prayer a crowd will accompany the vets to the Post, where we hold another small memorial service lead by the Commander and read the names of departed Post comrades prior to firing a salute.  An open house follows at the Post, with hot dogs and hamburgers for the crowd.
We have done this every year since 1952, according to our records.  As long as we remain open we will do this - not for acclaim but because it is the right thing to do.  Do the right thing today and pause to remember and perhaps pray for those who died protecting America and the American way of life.  The numbers of survivors dwindle quickly and there are fewer warriors each generation.

Si vis pacem para bellum.