The photo I have chosen for today is of the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall in Marseilles, Illinois. The Wall, dedicated in 2004 was the built with donated material and labor. It’s the first of its kind to honor the heroes who have fallen while a conflict is ongoing.
Among those it honors are Army Cpl. Eric C Palmer of Maize, Kansas. A paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne Cpl. Palmer died from small-arms fire he received in Bayji, Iraq. Among other awards and decorations, Cpl. Palmer received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Memorial Day – since 1971 when Memorial Day was moved from May 30th to the last Monday in May – the day has become a reason to celebrate 3 or 4 days off from work. Many people now leave on Thursday night for extended weekends at a lake or a water or theme park. For the family of Cpl. Palmer and the families of those who died before and after him, the reason for Memorial Day is to honor the sacrifice and memory of these heroes.
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The 3rd U.S. Infantry places small American flags at the gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day all weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. Since 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cubs Scouts of St. Louis have been placing flags at the graves at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Since 1998 the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts place candles at the grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park.
In an effort to try to re-educate Americans of the sacrifice of these fallen heroes and to remind them of the true meaning of Memorial Day, a “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in 2000 asking that all Americans pause at 3pm local time pause for a moment of reflection and silence or the playing of Taps.
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Here in Palatine, Illinois the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 690 place flags at all veteran’s graves throughout Palatine. There is also cemetery service, parade and programs at the Veteran’s Memorial in Community Park and the Legion Memorial in Towne Square Park. Here's a link to Bill Pohlman's on more information on services in Palatine. Don’t let this weekend go by without honoring the memories and heroism of those who have defended our freedoms. God Bless them, their families, those currently serving, and God Bless the United States of America.
What is your community doing?
Copyright 2012 Fourth T Photography
