Memorial Day has “morphed” from a once (and still, in some quarters) solemn occasion to honor our war dead into a day with
myriad meanings.
There’s the Memorial Day that
serves as occasion for decorating the graves of family members, the
Memorial Day that’s the
linchpin for a coveted three-day holiday weekend, the Memorial Day
that serves as the traditional time for the Indianapolis
500 race, the Memorial Day that provides great shopping
opportunities and the Memorial Day that signals it is time to dig
out your white belt and shoes.
We prefer the solemn day that first honored the Civil War dead and later honored all veterans who died in service to our country
in war. Honoring the war dead should remain at the heart of this day’s worthy intentions.
That’s why Southwest Louisianians
should be reminded — those who need such a reminder — that there is good
reason to lower
their flags, to decorate graves, to display the American Flag and
to remember those Americans who fell on battlefields at
home and abroad to protect our country. Memorial Day is more than
an opportunity for good times. It is a good time to remember
those men and women who gave their all to protect and serve the
United States.
Writing in these pages last week,
Lane Carson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs,
suggested a meaningful
way to honor our valiant troops, soldiers and sailors from
Louisiana who have died in the War Against Terror. The department
has created a poster that bears the images of 131 military
personnel from Louisiana who have perished since the War Against
Terror began with the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the United States.
Affixed to those images are the name, rank, date of death
and hometown each of those wartime heroes.
“This poster provides a sobering visual image and literally puts a name and face to the sentiment behind what Memorial Day
is intended to be,” Carson wrote.
Carson suggested that Louisianians visit the posters at display sites. That’s an excellent idea. The nearest, the LDVA web
site says, is at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings. The number is 337-824-2829.
But no matter where you spend this Memorial Day, spend a part of it in reflection. Remember the sacrifices others have made
so that we might enjoy our freedom.
This editorial was written by a member of the American Press Editorial Board. Its content reflects the collaborative opinion of the Board, whose members include Bobby Dower, Ken Stickney,
Jim Beam, Dennis Spears, Crystal Stevenson and Donna Price.