The true meaning of Memorial Day

by: Bill Liblick

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of the summer season. People will be busy barbequing and gathering with family and friends throughout Sullivan County.

Many snowbirds and secondary homeowners will once again arrive to our region.

We often forget that Memorial Day is a time for remembrance of those who have died in our nation's service. During this busy weekend, take a moment to remember those who were killed in defending the freedom we often take for granted.

Unfortunately, traditional observance of Memorial Day has 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 1:00pm. This year’s keynote speaker is Miles Ellison, a retired professor of history and member of the Company of Military Historians.

Legislators Frank Armstrong and Ron Hiatt both served actively in the military. They reflected with me on what Memorial Day means to them.

Armstrong, one of Sullivan County's most outspoken advocates for Veterans affairs, said, “Memorial Day is what is stands for, a day to remember. We need to take our time out to remember those people who have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy today and for the people who are continuing to risk their lives for that freedom, and to thank all those people who have served our country so well and live among us unnoticed and not thanked.”

The Sullivan County legislator entered the military in 1965 and was active duty with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam. After a short break to start his police career, Armstrong returned to the reserves and got his final honorable discharge in 2002.

Hiatt who also had a distinguished military career said, “Nothing we can do will really repay their sacrifices. But we can, and we need to, remember and acknowledge them.”

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.

Please purchase a poppy from a veteran’s organization this weekend.

God Bless the souls of those who have lost their lives for us.

Email Bill