Memorial Day...

I ask this of my readers, on this Memorial Day To Whom Do You Honor?

Memorializing our nations hero's began during the Civil War when Southern ladies, put flowers and items of remembrance on both Confederate and Union Soldiers graves.
It was in 1868 that Commander in Chief, John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic issued General Order 11. He declared it to be for the purpose of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers who died defending their country during the Civil War.  That first Memorial Day Ceremony or "Decoration Day" as it was known then.Took place at Arlington National Ceremony with the placing of the wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier. Graves throughout the cemetery were also decorated with small American Flags.
But some argue that the first memorial day actually took place with those good southern ladies a few years prior.

For many Americans the day involves parades and cookouts, It has also become known as the unofficial start of summer. The Indianapolis 500 has been traditionally ran on this weekend since 1911, and NASCAR jumped on board in 1961 with the running of the Coca-Cola 600 the same day.

But Again, I ask the question: "Whom do you honor on Memorial Day"?  For me its people like my Great Great Uncle who died in Germany during WW1. I also think of ancestors who perished during the Civil War, and all those who died in wars since. I think of Seal Team 6 on Memorial Day, who's helo went down and all on board perished. And I think of Hero's like "The Sullivan Brothers" who in WW11 were stationed together on board the USS JUNEAU..they died together when it was struck by a torpedo.  I think of all those Military members who perished in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and battles across the Pacific and Europe.
All these Americans were hero's. If not for them and thousands others...we wouldn't have the freedoms we do know. We owe them our lives. We owe them our respect and gratitude.
They Sacrificed so much so we could stay free...