Memorial Day honors those who died in service to their country

November 11 is the day veterans of military service, living or dead, are honored. Memorial Day, May 24, this year is the day that is sacred to the memory of those men and women who died while serving their country.

Memorial Day, previously called Decoration Day, has thus been observed since the Civil War days. Veterans’ service organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America and others put flags out on Memorial Day on the graves of those known to have perished while in service to our country. The service organizations also set flags, weather permitting, on graves of all veterans on Veterans Day.

Ms. Crawford makes the point that on Memorial Day not every veteran has a flag at their grave and “This has been happening for quite some time.” Yes, that’s correct, because it is not a day to honor all veterans — just those who fell to their death while serving. “You just put so many out, some get it and some don’t.” Well, what you’ve been seeing all these years is the display of flags for a day set apart to the memory and honor of only those who gave their lives while serving their country.

If a family wants to honor their non-combat related deceased loved one, such as Ms. Crawford’s dad, they are certainly free to do just as she did: place a flag there themselves. But don’t expect the service organizations to not properly observe Memorial Day honorably as it has been done for 165 years.

DON DAVIS

U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran

Sagle