Memorial Day
Memorial Day usually marks the start of the summer season. This last Monday in May ushers in the opening of outdoor pools and welcomes throngs of people to the official beach season across coastal cities. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, gathering with family, and attending parades. This day also rings in Memorial Day sales, as merchants throughout the land offer them up. America becomes a beehive of activity on Memorial Day. Unfortunately, this swirl of activity and commercial enterprises can cause one to miss the genuine reason for the holiday. The sacrifices of our fallen soldiers, whether on foreign soil or here at home, should be observed with solemnity and honor, befitting those who lost their lives while serving in our military.
Memorial Day is an American holiday that honors men and women who died while serving in the US military. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day became a Federal holiday in 1971. It originated after the American Civil War, which left over 620,000 soldiers and civilians dead. With so many lives lost, our first national cemeteries were established. By the late 1860s, people began paying tribute to these fallen soldiers. In the spring, they would visit national cemeteries, decorating and placing flowers on graves. There are many stories as to where the tradition originated. In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, New York, the official birthplace of Memorial Day.
Each year on Memorial Day, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time.
In 1983, I enlisted in the US Navy and served aboard the USS Durham (LKA 114) stationed at 32nd Street Naval Base in San Diego, CA. “The USS Durham is an Amphibious Cargo Ship (LKA), designed to carry the necessary material and equipment to support a waterborne attack. It is capable of providing a minor advance base support role to boats and /or helicopters in remote areas already secured, or in countries requiring emergency search and rescue operations assistance.” (Naval Cruise Book.)
We had an accompaniment of 400 to 500 Marines and all the equipment needed for them to do battle. While on maneuvers in international waters, our adversary had as much right being there as we did. I was aware of the presence of Russian crafts following our every move. When we heard the command, “Away the Snoopy Team Away,” we knew to spy on the ships that were spying on us. We were in close proximity most of the time. Increasing the chance of an encounter or a collision.
While on maneuvers in 1985, I befriended a Marine from Minnesota. He had been stationed in Beirut on October 23, 1983, when it was bombed, killing 241 US Marines. He related to me that after the bombing, he was assigned the detail of collecting personal belongings and body parts of fellow Marines to identify and ship home. I can never forget the faraway look in his eyes as he recounted his ordeal. It drove home that in the armed forces, despite the atrocities encountered, those remaining “soldiered on.”
On Memorial Day we honor American Patriots, our Military men and women who lost their lives in every war and battle fought; and to the families who lost their loved ones. You are not forgotten. You fought to protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens. You answered the call to protect our borders from invasions by land and by sea and by air. I SALUTE YOU!
Darrel May 🦅
A few local points of interest:
Fort Delaware, Delaware City: Originally built to protect the ports of Wilmington and Philadelphia, Fort Delaware also became a Union prison camp during the Civil War, housing up to as many as 12,595 Confederate prisoners of war at one time.
Delaware Memorial Bridge Veterans Memorial Park, New Castle: The Veterans Memorial Park was created in 1955, after the Delaware Memorial Bridge was completed. Dedicated to those from both Delaware and New Jersey who died in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War.
Interstate 495: An 11.47-mile long interstate highway in Delaware called The Vietnam Memorial Highway.
Vietnam War Memorial, Baynard Blvd: Commemorates the residents of Wilmington who were killed or missing in the Vietnam War.
WWI Memorial, Dover: In honor of Delaware’s approximately 10,000 WWI service members.
Photo of USS DURHAM by: ShipSpotting.com© Anthony Legg. Lest We Forget Photo by Eric Smart from Pexels
