Memorial Day Service Ends with Dairy Queen Ice Cream

Frankly I was taken aback when Mr. Wesley Acton invited me to give a 5-minute talk and prayer at a Memorial Day Service at Greenwood Cemetery, established 1906. Military service members are buried there. I didn't even know Mr. Acton, and it was my first time hearing of this annual observance at that cemetery. I have lived in Owensboro for 16 years since 1994.

Not wanting to assume I knew all about this holiday, I set out to answer the question, "What is Memorial Day really all about?" A quick search took me to History.com, where I learned what most Americans probably know...hopefully.

"Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit ."

That was 142 years ago.

I also learned Memorial Day "became an official federal holiday in 1971."

Wesley Acton announced during the short service at Greenwood Cemetery that another service was scheduled for Monday at the Owensboro Sportscenter. Moved by this Saturday service I wanted to attend the larger gathering.

Back at our house, I engaged my two teenagers in a conversation. "I want to take you guys with me to the Sportscenter on Monday for a Memorial Day Service."

The kids put up resistance. "For what?" as in 'Why is it worth our going?'

"Do you know what Memorial Day is about?" I queried.

"Yes," they replied.

I could have said a lot more, but I let silence do the speaking, hoping my teenagers would realize that being able to attend school, go on fun field trips, join clubs and societies, eat burgers and fries, play sports, act in plays, login to Facebook, Youtube, send email, go shopping at the mall, learn to drive, apply for jobs, etc, could not be possible without a group of people who have sworn with their sweat and blood to insure that this city, state and nation remain free and secure.

To sweeten the deal, I offered to take my children to Dairy Queen after the Memorial Day Service. It's a bribe, but I didn't want to risk their being sour or angry during the service. I wanted them to listen enough to learn the real meaning of Memorial Day outside the comfort of their air conditioned classrooms made possible by the sacrifice of servicemen and women.

The observance included prayers, recognition of important guests, selections by the community band, repeated mention of the purpose of Memorial Day, and the heart/highlight of the service - the reading of 236 names of military veterans who have died in Daviess County since 2009 Memorial Day.

Secretly I wish my children would experience just one week of total security breakdown in Owernsboro: bullets flying; artillery falling and burning up buildings; schools and shopping centers closed; checkpoints set up all over the city to search civilians; military people turn on their own citizens...raping, mutilating, burying hundreds alive, executing many more, thousands fleeing as displaced refugees. Just one week of total hell in the land...exposure to complete chaos and fatal danger.

Why care about attending a Memorial Day Service? Because in America all of the above is largely absent, thanks to some special human beings who sacrifice their lives to keep it that way. To appreciate our freedom we must remember those who secure our freedom with their service, sacrifice, and if necessary, their blood.

Meanwhile I'm waiting to hear what my teenagers will say or how they'll say it when in 2011 I offer to take them to another Memorial Day Service. Of course, they and their little sister may be eager to go again for the Dairy Queen treat that follows the 50-minute service, but I can live with that, just so they remember that Dairy Queen remains open because a soldier stands guard to keep it so. ~mogama~