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Important dates to remember
May 4, "National Day of Prayer," should have been important to many of us. I do not recall much attention being given to it. We have a history and tradition of faith in God and our forebears affirmed our right to worship in peace and safety. As a child I recall during World War II that our rural church filled with people praying for our soldiers fighting and dying in terrible battles on land and sea. President Roosevelt made speeches and "fireside chats" encouraging prayer and faith on the part of Americans.
Today we are again in a dangerous war, which is worldwide and is waged by a fanatical enemy who has sworn to destroy us. This enemy uses any means to kill and destroy, including kidnap and murder of captives, and use suicide bombers and roadside bombs that indiscriminately kill innocent women and children. This war is waged in the Middle East, Africa, SE Asia, Europe and the Americas. If and when this enemy obtains nuclear weapons, without doubt they will be used. All Christians may be wise to rely more fully on faith and prayer in the hour of need.
I am embarrassed to admit that May 20th, "Armed Forces Day" slipped up on me. This was the Saturday that Alex, my 10-year-old grandson, and I exercised our freedom to go fishing. While he was catching a two-pound bass and assorted fat bluegills, and I a couple of small fish, "Armed Forces Day" passed with hardly a notice. On that day our armed forces personnel were facing danger or perhaps
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Memorial Day is on Monday, May 29 (which will have also passed by the time this column is published), and will be more noticeable as more people will be off from work and out of school. This is an occasion to especially remember deceased veterans, those who gave their "last full measure" - their all. The first official proclamation was given on May 5, 1868, by Gen. John Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. Then flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington National Cemetery. By 1890 the northern states recognized Memorial Day, but it was not until after World War I, when the dead in any war were honored, that the southern states joined in. While the practice has declined, some citizens still meet to decorate the graves of veterans.
The "National Moment of Remembrance," a resolution passed on Dec. 2000 was meant to get a special meaning back into Memorial Day. We need an old-fashioned day of remembrance and a degree of sacredness, which seemed largely eliminated when in 1971 Congress passed a three-day weekend observance. Since then it has become a long weekend for millions of Americans to go to the beach or some other vacation spot.
I believe that schools and parents should give more time and space to teaching children the meaning of these special days. I feel in a real sense that Americans are losing their roots and forgetting their common heritage. I resolve to share with Alex and Kelley this weekend the importance of these dates of remembrances. They have learned some of America's traditions and beliefs, but I feel more urgency in telling them now.
To learn these special days that highlight great principles and deeds of America, every legal immigrant should learn English and attend classes on American history before receiving citizenship. As to illegal immigrants, our President and US Congress must secure our borders and take steps to rectify the years of allowing our immigration laws to be ignored for the sake of cheap labor and more profits. It will take several steps and perhaps years to work out, but we voters should see they do their jobs with due speed and diligence.