As with most of our holidays, these days, the original purpose has been, to a greater or lesser degree, obscured, and our first thought as a holiday approaches is – DAY OFF! YAHOO!
Memorial Day is among the more poignant and one for which we would do well to recall its origin: Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates men and women who died while in military service to the United States and was first established to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the Civil War.
After WWII, it was extended to honor Americans who have died in all wars.
So – as our oldest veterans pass on and our young men and women also make the ultimate sacrifice, somewhere in the world, almost daily, we must be moved to remember, to regret, to ponder.
And it seems so little to ask that we might give a few contemplative moments in this way on Memorial Day before diving into the food and fun, (since Memorial Day also marks the start of the summer vacation season.)
Remembering and being grateful for devoted individuals no longer with us also extends to our Habitat family and, recently, we’ve lost several devoted volunteers, gentlemen who gave so much of themselves for years to support our mission: Ed Motyka, who gave 222 volunteer hours on Habitat construction sites, and the enthusiastic and good natured James Pagliarulo, a Home Center volunteer.
Take a moment to consider the sacrifices of so many, on behalf of our country and of so many other worthy causes.
And – have a good one.
Sam Baita, Public RelationsIndian River Habitat for Humanity 772.562.9860 X220sbaita@irchabitat.org
