With today being the unofficial start to summer, it is easy to forget the real meaning of Memorial Day - honoring those who gave their life in service of our nation.
Memorial Day began shortly after the end of the Civil War and morphed into the holiday we celebrate now in the early part of the last century. The holiday became even more ingrained in our culture after World War II.
Be sure today to take a moment and remember those who gave their lives to defend our nation. In addition, if you see one of the more than 20 million veterans who live in in our expansive nation, thank them for their service.
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Below are the list of several events taking place throughout the region:
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When/where: Monday beginning at 8 a.m. at the Robert H. Dembowski, Jr. Veterans Memorial Park (at the corner of Second Street Pike and Almshouse Road).
Details: A flag raising/lowering ceremony will open the event. At 9 a.m. there will be a memorial service and flag ceremony for a recently returned soldier, Navy Corpsman Alexander Kozak.
When/where: Monday starting at 9 a.m. throughout Newtown Borough and Township
Details: The parade, organized by American Legion Post 440, will start at the Commons West Building on Newtown-Yardley Road. It will turn into the Newtown Cemetery for a graveside memorial service to Morell Smith. From there, the parade will go down Washington Avenue to Lincoln Avenue to Centre Street, where it will pause for memorial services at the Word War I monument in front of the . From the library, the parade will go right onto Congress Street to Jefferson and make a left onto State Street to , where there will be a memorial service and speeches.
When/where: Monday at 10 a.m. beginning at
Details: After leaving CB West, the parade heads east on West Court Street and continues on West State Street, turning north on North Main Street then east on East Court Street. It finishes at Doylestown Cemetery.
When/where: Ceremony starts at 10 a.m., parade begins at 11 a.m. at the
Details: From the Administration Building, the parade travels east on Henry Ave., turns north on York Rd., then east on Street Rd., and finally north on Louis Dr., where it ends at the on Louis Dr.
When/where: 8:30 to 10 a.m. beginning at the
Details: The parade ends at the borough monument. Parade participants include the Bucks County Sheriffs Color Guard, the William Tennent Marching Band, the Ivyland Volunteer Fire Company and Police, and the Craven Hall Historical Society. All veterans are encouraged to march. Local children are encouraged to participate with patriotically decorated bicycles, floats and scooters. It will conclude with the Firing of Volley by the 149th PA Volunteer Infantry and the playing of taps.
When/where: Monday at 10 a.m. beginning at the Suzuki Fun Center, 2639 Route 13
Details: The Veterans of Foreign Wars posts in Eddington and Andalusia will lead the parade down Bristol Pike to Mill Park, the city line with Philadelphia.
When/where: Monday 11 a.m. at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Upper Makefield
Details: The ceremony organized by the Guardians of the National Cemetery. Visit www.guardiansofthenationalcemetery.org for more information.
The following is a message from United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki:
Memorial Day, one of America’s most venerated national holidays, is set aside so that we might reflect on the honor and sacrifice of those who courageously gave their lives to safeguard us and our way of life.
They are forever young in our memories.
Throughout our nearly 237-year history as a democracy, time and again, Americans in uniform have had to secure the heritage of freedom and liberty for us and for the oppressed in other lands, paying a steep price in blood and suffering.
The past decade has provided reminder enough of the devotion, loyalty, and determination of the magnificent men and women who serve in our military formations.
“In harm’s way” has become the cliché for those deployed on mission without really capturing the danger, stress, worry, fear, and love that keeps military families riveted to each breaking overseas news bulletin.
There are no clichés for discussing the undiscussable.
As we, in the Department of Veterans Affairs, go about our duties of providing America’s living Veterans the care, benefits, and services they have earned, let us also remember the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom.
Their powerful legacy surrounds us each and every day all across this Nation - when we gather openly to speak our minds freely.
It is found in our churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples, where worship is freely exercised.
It is evident in the openness of our media, where information is shared without fear of reprisal.
It is embedded in our polling places, where ballots freely cast determine who will govern this great land.
In caring for those “who [have] borne the battle,” we come to understand the consequences of war. Let us remember the families of our Fallen.
And with our prayers for peace, let us also pray for the Almighty’s continued blessings on this great country, for which so many laid down their lives.
