530-993-4379
Sierra Booster
  • Home
  • Newspaper
    • Latest News
    • Letters to the Editor >
      • Submit Letter to the Editor
    • Old News Archive
    • Photo Tour
    • Events
    • About Us
    • SUBSCRIBE
  • Advertiser Directory
    • Advertiser Press Releases
    • Website Sponsors
    • Advertiser Area
  • Buy Ads - Services
  • Fishing Report
  • Contact Us
  • Admin Log In

Why did Memorial Day Change?

5/23/2022

0 Comments

 

Dr. Glenn Mollette 

Decoration Day was observed on May 30th from 1868 to 1970 to decorate the graves and honor those dying in military service for our country. In 1971 Congress officially made the last Monday in May Memorial Day. 

 On this day, Americans take time to pay respect and decorate the graves of our military service Americans who died to keep America free. Because of them we can travel the country, have picnics, go to ballgames and more. 

For me, Memorial Day has changed. Memorial weekend was a big time of family gathering. I can still remember Mamaw and Grandpa, all nine of their children and the grandchildren gathering to eat, play, talk and laugh. But then Mamaw and Grandpa died and the reunions changed. One by one the siblings passed away.  Today, all nine of them and their spouses are gone.

The grandchildren are now passing away. This is my generation.   As I begin to think of their names it’s a surprising number. All five of my dad’s brothers and sister are gone. Throughout the years I’ve attended too many funerals.  This includes my wife of 27 years and our little stillborn baby. Memorial Day has changed. So many people I celebrated the day with are gone. It would be impossible for me to visit all the graves of all these dear people. They are scattered out between Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia and other states. 

When Memorial Day comes, I try my best to make the six-hour trip to decorate my deceased wife’s grave. Carole, who I married 17 years ago has deceased parents who are buried three hours away from where we live. It’s never easy. There are flowers to buy. The drive is not easy and we have those who are alive we want to visit. It’s makes us feel bad that we don’t have hours to go and spend at the cemetery and respect those we loved.

 Sadly, there are so many forgotten graves of loved ones and American soldiers. The older we get the number of deceased people we know can become more than the living we know. 

Do the best you can. This is all any human being can ever do. There are graves you know you must attend to and others you will have to trust to other family members or friends. 

While we are trying to celebrate Memorial Day the right way, please continue to celebrate the living people in your life.  There is a story in the Bible where a friend of Jesus anointed him with expensive ointment while they were having dinner. It was her way of celebrating him and what he meant to her. Try to find ways to anoint people in your life who are meaningful to you. Buy them flowers now if you can afford them.  I hate to say it but it’s true – dead noses smell no roses. 

I’ve always tried to buy flowers for those I love while they can enjoy them. It may not be flowers but maybe it could be a nice smile. A word of thanks or praise for a person in your life would be meaningful.  One way you might make Memorial Day meaningful is celebrating those people you have in your life today because, as we know, it won’t last long. 

Back in February, my brother-in-law Harold was very sick and I knew his time was limited. My wife and I agreed we needed to go and visit with him. We had a good visit and a good talk. When I left him that day and we said goodbye to each other, I felt that it was truly goodbye at least for this life. He died just a couple of weeks later. 

Memorial Day has changed for most of us. However, try to make a good memory or two with those people who are still alive in your life. What you remember about those who have gone on is what you enjoyed while they were living. 

This Memorial Day weekend, be very safe and take time to enjoy the living. 
​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    April 2014
    September 2009

    Categories

    All
    2015
    Sierra County News

    RSS Feed

    Vie
    ​w Old News

CONTACT US:

Sierra Booster Newspaper
PO Box 8
Loyalton, CA 96118
Phone: 530-993-4379
Fax: 844-272-8583
Email: jbuck@psln.com

Website Privacy Policy​
Picture
Local Weather
©Copyright Sierra Booster - Sierra County News - Editorial
Website by Chamber Nation