Spring time for many patrioticholidays

By Col. Deborah B. GraysMay 21, 2010

Spring time for many patriotic  holidays
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Commander's Corner

Garrison Commander

Fort McPherson & Fort Gillem

While spring may be known for the season of blooming flowers and warmer weather, it's also a period of great patriotism.

Sunday, we celebrated Armed Forces Day, at the end of the month we'll celebrate Memorial Day and June 14 is Flag Day.

Each of these holidays is very special and unique. Armed Forces Day honors Americans serving in the five services - the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

It was announced Aug. 31, 1949, by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson as an event designed to unify the services by celebrating one special day instead of each service celebrating its own day.

The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the DoD.

Of course, each particular service still celebrates individual branch birthdays too.

Don't forget, the Army's 235th birthday is June 14.

Today, Armed Forces Day is simply a day to sharply salute all of the men and women in all branches of the service who protect our country and us.

They can be called upon at a moment's notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for freedom and country.

They train diligently, both physically and mentally, so they will be prepared to prevail in any mission they face.

To many people, Memorial Day is best known for being the three-day weekend that marks the unofficial start of summer.

It's a time for big sales, beach trips and barbecues.

But Memorial Day is so much more than that ... it is a time to remember the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who died in service to our country since the foundation of our nation.

Without their sacrifices, no other American holidays would be possible. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed May 5, 1868, by Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was established in 1868 to commemorate the dead from the Civil War.

Over the years it came to serve as a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing in action in all wars.

A National Moment of Remembrance was created by Congress to reach as many people as possible with one simple message - don't forget the real meaning of Memorial Day. The idea of the moment was born in May 1996 when children touring Washington, D.C., were asked what Memorial Day meant.

They responded, "That's the day the pools open!"

The National Moment of Remembrance asks Americans wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day to pause for at least one minute of remembrance and rededication to the values of our country.

If you would like to participate in an organized event, I invite you to join the National Memorial Day Association of Georgia and the Avenue of Flags, Inc., at the Marietta National Cemetery, located at 500 Washington Avenue in Marietta, May 31 at noon as they pay respect to our nation's heroes.

The event is free and open to the public. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an aAct of Congress.

Although not an official federal holiday, Flag Day gives us a date to celebrate what is probably our nation's most obvious symbol. After all, the flag is more than just an identifier of our nation.

It represents those principles and ideals that are sacred, that are worth paying the ultimate price for and that have been paid for many times over. It represents everything that is good about what our country stands for.

The flag is also draped over the coffin of the fallen on their way home. It is given to the Family of the fallen as a reminder of their son or daughter's valiant sacrifice and as a promise that their sacrifice will not be forgotten or in vain.

I think it's no coincidence that these three holidays lead up to our Independence Day, July 4.

After all, without our Soldiers, here and gone, and the symbol for what America stands and has fought for, it's doubtful we would be the independent nation we are today.

Please take the time on each of these holidays, and every other day, to be thankful for the treasures these anniversaries represent.

We would not be who we are without them.