Let us remember those who fought for our country.

The month “MAY” is named for the Roman goddess “Maia”, who oversaw the growth of plants. Also from the Latin word maiores (meaning “elders”), who were celebrated during this month. This U.S. federal holiday is observed on the last Monday to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the military. It was formerly known as Decoration Day.

Memorial Day will be observed on May29th this year (2023).

(*source from the old farmer’s almanac)

 

<MEMORIAL DAY & VETERANS DAY>

Do you know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day? On both Memorial Day and Veterans Day, it is customary to spend time remembering and honoring the countless veterans who have served the United States throughout the country’s history. However, there is a distinction between the two holidays:

 

Memorial Day commemorates the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those who passed in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. It is a time remembering those who lost their lives and could not return to their home. We might consider how we can support and safeguard their grieving families and loved ones who are left behind, as well as reflecting on why we – the living – have the luxury and freedom that we are privileged to have today.

 

Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL who served in the U.S. Armed Forces – in wartime or peacetime – regardless of whether they died or survived. Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.

<FLYING OLD GLORY>

Can you fill in the following blanks given below?

Flag etiquette on Memorial Day is unique. At sunrise, flags are to be raised to 

1. ______________ staff briskly, then lowered to 2.  ___________ staff position, where they will remain until noon.

Traditionally, on Memorial Day (in the U.S.), volunteers often place small American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries. A national moment of remembrance takes place at (what time?) 3. _____________ P.M. local time.

Consider visiting a local cemetery to place flags; many organizations would be grateful for volunteers. The ritual of visiting family graves and memorials was never a morbid tradition in the U.S. as in many other countries. Rather, it was an annual act of remembrance, as well as a chance to clean and decorate family memorials.

 

Personally, Youngjin and I have set a ritual table in memory of our beloved fathers in Heaven since they left for God’s world for good. It is the time to reconnect with our late fathers through at the memorial table filled with love and prayers for them. Both of my father and father-in-law had been serving in Korean Armed Forces during the Korean War(1950-1953). They are both resting in peace in Korean National Cemetery today.

 

** Fun facts: In the war-torn battlefields of Europe, the common red field 4.____________________ was one of the first plants to reappear. Its seeds scattered in the wind and sat dormant in the ground, only germinating when the ground was disturbed – as it was by the very brutal fighting of World War I.

 

 

Answer Keys 

    1.  full-staff

    2.  half-staff

    3.  3:00 P.M.

    4.  poppy