May is military appreciation month. I never knew. I do know that Memorial Day is in May and that Veterans Day is in November.

Here are my brief thoughts on this. Memorial Day is to honor those who served and died. Veterans Day is for those who served. I understand people who acknowledge veterans on both days and their effort is better than nothing. Thanks. Wake County NC public schools will do nothing.

Wake County NC Public schools students who attend a year round program will attend school on Memorial Day. Students in the traditional calendar will have the day off. My wife and I talked about this and weren’t sure what to do. Of course, we know a bunch of people serving in combat right now and a handful who have been killed in service to our nation. I have attended more than a few memorial services for fallen Marines. Yet, I didn’t want to get overly touchy about this. I wasn’t sure if we would send the kids to school or not. What would we do if we didn’t send them to school? I knew we needed to talk with them about the importance of the day (a conversation we have had before) especially in the face of the disrespect they are being taught in school about this day. I still wasn’t sure about what to do. Then I read the following letter in Leatherneck Magazine this month. I think once you read it you will have a better sense of Memorial Day and how I intend to handle this at our house.

A Memorial Day Tribute

I anxiously skimmed the inscriptions for his name. It was my first visit to the dedicated granite, and the anticipation was nearly unbearable. Upon reaching “Panel 27W,” I became nervous. Questions began racing through my mind. How is it going to feel to see my uncle’s name on this glimmering black wall? Should I be proud, sad or grateful? Will it be appropriate to cry, and if I do, will it bother my family?

There in front of me was his name, respectfully chiseled into the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. Although to others this particular name had no personal mean­ing, to my family and me, it meant the world. He had given his brief life for our country, and although that loss can never be repaid, seeing his name along with all the others seemed to ease our pain.
Despite the movements of the crowd, it seemed that time had come to a halt. My mind scrambled to find an appropriate response. The tears trickling down my face indicated that emotional distress had taken over. I soon found that the reactions of my family members were similar to mine. My mom and sister comforted each other as they gracefully wept on a nearby bench. The strong solemn expression that frequented my dad’s face had been replaced with traces of tear-dampened skin. A sense of peace filled the gray of my grandmother’s eyes as they focused on the engraved memory.

The knowledge that my family members shared my perception of the situation resulted in my personal comfort. However, a simple glance at my brother tied knots in my stomach.
In memory of my dad’s older brother, my dad and my mom agreed to name their firstborn son after him. My brother is different from the person that my uncle was, but their name and many traits are shared. My brother had grown into an incredible young man and was proud to bear the name of the strong young man he resembled. The effects of literally seeing my brother’s name on the great memorial morphed the uncertainties in my head into mature conclusions. I realized at that moment that the stone in front of me held more than just names. It represented relationships, memories, pride, but most of all, emotion.

I reflected on this memory and pulled from it many more conclusions. Among many other patriotic deeds that Americans perform, honoring those who died for our freedom is one of our greatest pleasures as a country. (bolded by Wally)

Throughout our nation’s capital lie mon­uments dedicated to our various heroes. Structures such as the “The Wall,” the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Marine Corps War Memorial are only a few examples of monuments to our nation’s bravest. Their deeds of courage have resulted in the America that we know so fondly as home. Nothing and no one can ever make up for the lives that have been lost over the years, but through love and respect, we can all do our best at making sure they are never forgotten.

In loving memory of Lance Corporal Stephen A. Daniel, United States Marine Corps, and all the lives that have been touched by military efforts.

Lauren Allyse Daniel Georgetown, Texas

> Former Corporal Dick “Reb” Bienvenu, who served with LCpl Daniel in Vietnam, was impressed with the author’s words and sent us this letter. Miss Daniel was 10 years old when she visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. At 16 years old, she articulately captured the spirit of Memorial Day in her letter. LCpl Daniel was 19 years old and a member of Company I, 3d Battalion, First Marine Regiment when he was killed on April 5, 1969, while serving in Quang Nam province, Republic of South Vietnam, lest we forget.

My daughter is ten years old. Perhaps I should take her to a granite memorial somewhere on Memorial Day? Would her experience be similiar to Lauren? There would not be a name she could so closely relate to but I would be there with her. I would be there with my daughter and like Lauren saw her father cry at the wall so would my daughter see me cry. Memorial Day is the start of summer. We should celebrate but we must also remember. I get emotional when I remember.

A few years back, on Memorial Day, I took the kids to downtown Raleigh to attend some ceremonies and festivities. Perhaps we will do that again this year. If Wake County schools will not teach my children how to honor those who have died to protect our nation then I guess I will.

I encourage you to do something to honor our fallen veterans on Memorial Day. Fly the flag, say a prayer, raise your glass but for our nation’s sake, DO SOMETHING. When we forget to remember we put the future vitality of our nation at risk. Don’t let it happen. You can do something. I will.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 6th, 2009 at 3:50 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.