As we approach Memorial Day, most of us are making plans for the rest of our long, three day weekend. Maybe it’s making plans for the lake, grilling out with friends, or even taking advantage of the extra day to take a short family vacation. In any case, we’re all looking forward to the start of the summer and the plans which lie ahead.
With all this excitement it becomes very easy to forget the real meaning of the holiday. It’s a day to remember the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces and the freedoms that come as a result of those sacrifices.
Price of freedom
Since our country’s founding in 1776, over 1.5 million American soldiers have died in combat. Countless others have been wounded or disabled. To make it even more personal, there is a granite monument at the site of the old Habersham County Courthouse with the names of eighty fellow Habersham countians who made the ultimate sacrifice for their neighbors and future generations. These eighty were husbands, fathers, sons, friends and family who stepped up when their country called and all had one thing in common, their lives were cut way to short. Because of them we enjoy our own lives in a free nation today.
I believe we owe all of them a continuous debt of gratitude, not just a brief remembrance once a year.
This Memorial Day make the commitment to start paying back that debt, and to help make our community and country a better place. Mentor a child, get involved with a senior citizen, coach a recreation team, or simply find your own project that pays tribute to the sacrifices made for us. There are plenty of opportunities and a real power to be seen if we all make that commitment.
Symbolism and pride
A little known fact is that flag etiquette requires that the United States flag be flown at half staff until noon on Memorial Day. After that the flag is fully raised. The symbolism is that at half staff the flag remembers and honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but at full staff it pays tribute to all veterans and the spirit and persistence of of our great country. Nothing stirs pride more, than to see our national emblem blowing proudly in the breeze.
Let’s all make the commitment to keeping that spirit alive today. God bless America and God bless the great state of Georgia. Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
About the author:
Rep. Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville) represents Georgia House District 1o. His district includes portions of Habersham and White Counties. Rogers is one of Gov. Nathan Deal’s House Floor leaders for the 153rd Georgia General Assembly.
