This day is a time to remember the brave men and
women who paid the ultimate price in the service
of our country. Some of their names will go down
in history, others will not. It does not make
them any less a hero. To the loved ones they left
behind, they will always be a hero and rightly
so ..... for who could have given more?

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868,
on the order of General John Alexander Logan for
the purpose of decorating the graves of the
American Civil War dead. In General Logan's pro-
clamation of Memorial Day, he declared:

"The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the
purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise
decorating the graves of comrades who died in
defense of their country and during the late
rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost
every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the
land. In this observance no form of ceremony is
prescribed, but posts and comrades will, in their
own way, arrange such fitting services and
testimonials of respect as circumstances
may permit."

Memorial Day was observed on May 30 until 1971,
when most states changed to a newly established
federal schedule of holiday observance. It is now
observed, annually, on the last Monday in May.

No Greater Love
A tribute to our war dead.

Taps

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh...
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills,
from the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear...
Friend, good night.

By Major General Daniel Butterfield
Army of the Potomac, Civil War

Eulogy For A Veteran

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the Gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

Author Unknown

This article was recently sent to me by a friend.
Senator Glenn's response was truly a masterpiece!

You know, some people still don't understand why
military personnel do what they do for a living.
This exchange between Senators John Glenn and
Howard Metzenbaum is worth reading. Not only is
it a pretty impressive, impromptu speech, but it's
also a good example of one man's explanation of
why men and women in the Uniformed Services do
what they do for a living, and an example of what
those who have never served think of the Military.

Senator Metzenbaum to Senator Glenn: How can you
run for the Senate when you've never held a real job?

Senator John Glenn Responds: I served 23 years in
the United States Marine Corps. I served through
two wars. I flew 149 missions. My plane was hit by
anti-aircraft fire on 12 different occasions. I was
in the space program. It wasn't my checkbook; it was
my life on the line. It was not a 9 to 5 job, where
I took time off to take the daily cash receipts to
the bank.
I ask you to go with me..as I went the other day..to
a Veterans Hospital, and look at those men with their
mangled bodies in the eye and tell them they didn't
hold a job.
You go with me to the space program and go, as I have
gone, to the widows and orphans of Ed White and Gus
Grissom and Roger Chaffee, and you look those kids in
the eye and tell them that their dad didn't hold a job.
You go with me on Memorial Day, coming up, and you
stand in Arlington National Cemetery, where I have
more friends than I'd like to remember, and you watch
those waving flags, and you stand there, and think
about this nation, and you tell me that those people
didn't have a job.
I'll tell you, Howard Metzenbaum, you should be on
your knees every day of your life thanking God that
there were some men - SOME MEN - who
held a job. And they required a dedication to purpose
and a love of country and a dedication to duty that
was more important than life itself. And their self
sacrifice is what made this country possible...
I Have Held A Job, Howard!!
What about you?"

BRAVO! Senator Glenn!!!!

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Please E-Mail Me

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