MEMORIAL DAY 2010 Sileo in Pacis

…..Tomorrow is Memorial Day--not always known as such. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, Gen. John Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year; the tombs of Union Soldiers were decorated in remembrance of their sacrifices.

…..The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882 and was declared the official name by Federal law in 1967. On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May.

…..Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. The VFW traditionally places flags on soldiers’ graves, and the day is also commemorated by picnics and barbecues, family gatherings, and sporting events. Unfortunately, five of my crewmates from WWII, and three of our officers will not be with us to experience all the joys of living, and I will commemorate my bonds with them on this day by publishing their names and their rates for all to know and to honor:

Howard Lee, Aviation Machinery Mate 1C (AMM1C), John Shekitka,

AMM2C, Donald Fraser, AMM2C, Paul Gordon, Aviation Ordnance Mate,

(AOM2C), Norman England, AOM2C, Al Noehren, Lt., (Pilot), John

Egan, Lt. JG, (Navigator), Leo Brougham, Lt. JG, (Co-Pilot).

.....Fortunately, two of us are still around to tell our stories-- but rather old: Hal Mack, Aviation Radioman, 1C, (ARM1C), and myself, Red Baron, (ARM2C). I don’t know what there is about “radiomen” that allows them to survive, but I’m not about to question it. I also don’t really know if these rates are still in use today, but they served us well in WWII—it allowed us to know what everyone’s job was—besides manning the guns on the B24 Liberator that we flew.

.....Now, in Abraham Lincoln’s words, it is altogether fitting and proper to conclude this blog with the immortal speech that he gave at Gettysburg on Thursday, Nov.19,1863 at Soldiers’ National Cemetery to honor those who died in the horrific Civil War. I know that whenever I read this speech a chill runs down my spine. Read it; perhaps you might experience a little tear or two. (I have colored the text “blue-gray” for obvious reasons.)

…..”Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”