As everyone knows by now this weekend marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season. Even though the weather may not have been the best so far, many will be barbequing and attending gatherings with family and friends, while others will be gardening and going to yard sales.
Snowbirds and secondary homeowners will once again be arriving throughout Sullivan County, and our campers and summer month visitors are not far behind.
Regretfully we often tend to forget Memorial Day is a time for remembrance of those who have died in our nation’s service. With all the military operations currently ongoing throughout the world, it would be nice if we all take a moment to remember those who were killed in defending the freedom so many of us take for granted.
Traditional Memorial Day observances have diminished over the years. To help re-educate and remind us of the true meaning of the day, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed by Congress in December 2000.
The resolution asks that at 3 PM on Monday, we “voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence”
In Sullivan County many noteworthy events will take place to salute those who have lost their lives in the line of combat.
The County’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held Monday at the Veterans’ Cemetery in Liberty, at 1:00 pm. Master of Ceremonies will be John Crotty, Geri Neumann will be the guest speaker, and former Sullivan County District Attorney Stephen F. Lungen will deliver the keynote address.
Al Etkin of the American Legion reflecting on the true meaning of Memorial Day recently told me “For me it is a day of remembrance and respect for these special people who preserved our nation.”
Purchasing a Red Poppy from a Veterans organization during Memorial Day weekend has become a tradition.
The Poppy as many are unaware, became associated with war after the publication of a poem written by Col. John McCrae of Canada. The poem, “In Flander’s Field,” describes blowing red fields among the battleground of the fallen.
In Flanders Fields
John McCrae, 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
For more than 75 years, the Poppy program has raised millions of dollars in support of the welfare and the well being of the dependents of our fallen heroes.
God Bless the souls of those who have lost their lives for us.