Here it comes! The unofficial start of the summer season is rapidly approaching. Boats are out and ready. Campgrounds are booked. RVs are registered and waiting. Everyone is ready to go and waiting for Friday afternoon for the race to start.
Arlington National Cemetery
Washington, DC
Do we remember why the last weekend in May is a holiday? Two experiences changed me so that I will never forget what Memorial Day stands for. In 1982, as a newly commissioned Second Lieutenant, I spent the last two weeks in May at Fort Lee, Virginia with the US Army Reserve. With a long weekend in the middle of the two week duty, four of us traveled to Washington, DC for Memorial Day weekend. On Monday morning, Memorial Day, I visited Arlington National Cemetery. It was a hubbub of activity because President Ronald Reagan was speaking at the Amphitheater after placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. As I stood and watch the symbolic precision of the changing of the guard, I was humbled to think of those who had given their lives that I might be free. If you have never witnessed Arlington National Cemetery, I highly recommend that you do.
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
Overlooking Omaha Beach
The second experience happened two years later. During the summer of 1984 (I think in July) while assigned to the 3rd Battalion 35th Armor in Bamberg, Germany, our Battalion Commander secured funding to take all of his officers on a three-day tour of famous European battlefields. We left Bamberg on the bus in the early evening and headed west. At about 3:00 am, I woke up and saw the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Wow! I wasn’t in Kansas anymore. That was Paris!
We arrived in Normandy, France early in the morning at a place known as Utah beach. We visited a museum that explained the events of June 6, 1944, D‑Day. Throughout the day we walked the sandy shores at Utah beach and Omaha beach. We visited Gold, Juno and Sword beaches in the British sector. We even visited Pointe du Hoc where the rangers climbed the cliffs to neutralize the German gun positions bearing down on the Allied invasion force. It was beautiful scene to look out over the English Channel and know that on that day an invasion force would not be coming as part of Operation Overlord.
We arrived in Normandy, France early in the morning at a place known as Utah beach. We visited a museum that explained the events of June 6, 1944, D‑Day. Throughout the day we walked the sandy shores at Utah beach and Omaha beach. We visited Gold, Juno and Sword beaches in the British sector. We even visited Pointe du Hoc where the rangers climbed the cliffs to neutralize the German gun positions bearing down on the Allied invasion force. It was beautiful scene to look out over the English Channel and know that on that day an invasion force would not be coming as part of Operation Overlord.
The most memorable site was Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville‑sur‑Mer. In the cemetery of Colleville‑sur‑Mer, 9,387 white marble gravestones are perfectly lined up on the field that overlooks Omaha beach. The graves are shaped into Latin crosses for Christian soldiers and stars of David for Jewish soldiers. Each headstone is engraved with the name, rank, unit, state and death date of the deceased.
The most memborable site was Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville‑sur‑Mer. In the cemetery of Colleville‑sur‑Mer, 9,387 white marble gravestones are perfectly lined up on the field that overlooks Omaha beach. The graves are shaped into Latin crosses for Christian soldiers and stars of David for Jewish soldiers. Each headstone is engraved with the name, rank, unit, state and death date of the deceased.
What is particularly moving is the headstones interspersed with the others that are engraved with “HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY A COMRADE IN ARMS KNOWN BUT TO GOD” Think about the mothers and fathers, wives and girlfriends and other loved ones and how much they grieved for the loss of their soldiers. Then think about those loved ones that didn’t know and never found out what happened to their soldiers. KNOWN BUT TO GOD. As I stood in the midst of these beautiful monuments, I felt the need to whisper. I have been many places where reverence was important and required. This is only place I remember visiting outside that demanded reverence.
So, when you prepare for your barbeque or whatever your choice is for your Memorial Day celebration, think about why we reserve a day to memorialize. Think about those whose lives were shortened to preserve freedom and allow you to do whatever you choose to this Memorial Day.