Memorial Day

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, is not just a day for picnics. It commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. It's about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

My family is honored to have contributed service men during peacetime and we are appreciative to them for their efforts to "stand ready" when needed. Sometimes it seems that Patriotism is waning in our society. On this Memorial Day, I'd like to honor the "soldiers" in our family.

PVT Winston E. Carter - ARMY, Military Police
Stationed in Naples, Italy: Peacetime, Post WWII

"Granddaddy" Carter spoke very positively about the lessons he learned serving our country. He was very patriotic & loved his country dearly. He often expressed sadness & concern that children weren't being taught about patriotism like they did when he was a child. He felt like living through WWII & seeing so many men who served before him sacrifice so much for him & his liberties made him want to do the same for others.


SGT J. Lawrence Middleton - MARINES
Stationed Camp Pendleton, CA: Peacetime, Post Korean War

"Grandpa" Middleton also has a deeply emotional love of this country. He says, "I hold a lot of respect for our Flag and Memorial Day is a great day to pay respect to all those Men & Women that have served and died for our country in all the wars we have ever been involved in. I had a brother who served in World War 2 and can remember having a symbol hanging in our front window showing we have a man in the service. In memory of all those who have gone before us, it is something that we can never have enough memories of. In celebrating Memorial Day please be sure to say a prayer for those still in the fighting zone. I get very emotional and sometimes can't even finish singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" or the "Star Spangled Banner."


LCPL Ben R. Carter - MARINES
Stationed in the Mid-South: Peacetime, Prior to Iraq
(Ben is the artist for the poster he is standing next to.)

"Brother" Ben is reluctant to share his feelings & doesn't like being compared to many of his friends who saw combat & suffered the "horrors of war." He has such great respect for them. When asked how he feels about Memorial Day he said, "Sacrifice is the word that comes to mind. It's a good holiday for us to celebrate because it's about us...it's an American holiday that celebrates Americans. It is held at a great time of year - springtime, when everything is new & hopeful. It's a great time to take a day to think about what they did for us."


I'm glad we take this day to celebrate those who fought & died for our freedoms.

I will not forget.

We cherish, too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led;
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies,
But lends a lustre to the red
Of the flower that blooms above the dead
In Flanders Fields.

by Moina Michael