Honoring Memorial Day!

'Happy' routinely appears preceding the words Memorial Day. There is absolutely no way around it. BUT...is that the proper precedent to Memorial Day? We are happy to live in America. We happily enjoy all the freedoms America has to offer. Joyous are we getting prepared for time with family and friends: walking the beach, swimming, picnicking, bar-be-queuing, etc. In the midst of all the food, fun, fellowship associated with Memorial Day, let's not forget who are the true honorees!

The happiness associated with Memorial Day has come at an immense sacrifice. Tomorrow is Memorial Day but first, it is important to understand Memorial Day vs. Veterans' Day.

Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty. A complete history of Veterans Day, and why it is observed on November 11, can be found on the Veterans Day History Web page.

If you proudly fly the American flag at your home, be sure it is flown half mast tomorrow from sunrise 'til midday. If you have a family member or loved one who died as a result of serving our country, place a flag at the grave site. Wherever you go, whatever you do on Memorial Day, proudly carry and/or wave the American flag remembering those that are no longer with us, that is, among the land of the living—their spirit will always be with us in our hearts!

While this may be a time for beach blasts, bar-be-que cookouts, hot dogs with all the trimmings, hamburgers and fries, and scrumptious apple pie, it is more importantly a time of remembering. . .

The Fallen Soldiers

 

Like the bald eagle
Forever Watchful were we
Guiding, protecting
The land of the free

'Twas our place
To be brave, stay strong
Ready and willing
All the day long

Our eyes were keen

Often focused on pain
The fields were bloody
Amid storms and rain

Bodies of comrades

Strewn there and about
Never for a moment
Left room for any doubt

On home or foreign shores

Know ardently that we
Who gave up our lives
'Twas for country and thee

©2013 Awakenings
Sharla Lee Shults

For each soldier who has fallen, there is someone at home mourning!

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10 Historical Facts About Memorial Day

 Memorial Day Quotes & Sayings

For many there is nothing HAPPY about Memorial Day!

Celebrate by honoring the True Meaning of Memorial Day!

King of the Blues...Remembered

(CNN) Riley B. King, the legendary guitarist known as B.B. King, whose velvety voice and economical, expressive style brought blues from the margins to the mainstream, died Thursday night. He was 89. Read MORE...

Around the end of the 19th century, a musical form known as the 'Blues' originated in the African-American communities in the "Deep South" of the United States. At the heart of documenting the essence of the blues is a recording artist who has been at the top for decades. Even the mention of R&B brings his name immediately to mind. 

Remembering the King of the Blues...

If you ask anyone to name a blues man, chances are the first name that will come to mind will be B.B. King, aka “The King of the Blues”. It’s been said of him that he “arguably did more for bringing blues to white America than any other musician”. Read MORE...

Riley B. King: one of the most influential blues musicians of all time known for a unique style that mixes blues, jazz, swing, mainstream pop and jump

Riley B. King is none other than the legendary B.B. King who began as a disc jockey in Memphis before finding fame as a blues and R&B guitarist. His reign as "King of the Blues" has been as long as that of any monarch on earth. The world just can't seem to get enough of his music. B.B. King started recording in the 1940s and had his first national hit, "Three O'Clock Blues," in 1949. His many hits include "Let The Good Times Roll", "Thrill is Gone", & "Rock me Baby". He played over 300 concerts a year until he was in his 70s.

 

The Legend of Lucille...

In the mid-1950s, while B.B. was performing at a dance in Twist, Arkansas, a few fans became unruly. Two men got into a fight and knocked over a kerosene stove, setting fire to the hall. B.B. raced outdoors to safety with everyone else, then realized that he left his beloved $30 acoustic guitar inside, so he rushed back inside the burning building to retrieve it, narrowly escaping death. When he later found out that the fight had been over a woman named Lucille, he decided to give the name to his guitar to remind him never to do a crazy thing like fight over a woman. Ever since, each one of B.B.’s trademark Gibson guitars has been called Lucille. [Source: BBKing.com Official Website]

The thrill (of live performances) may be gone but the legend lives on and on and on...

“We all have idols. Play like anyone you care about, but try to be yourself while you’re doing it.”
~B. B. King