The following was written by Gary Schein, a local Veterans Advisory Council Chairman, from the Tri-Cties. MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIAL DAY has traditionally been one of America's most solemn and patriotic days -- a sacred day to all war veterans. With love and longing, we gather to remember and honor America's patriots who gave what President Lincoln called the "last full measure of devotion." Their sacrifice serves as a constant reminder of the high cost of freedom and the hope for a safer, more peaceful world. The History The spirit of Memorial Day was born out of the tragedy and patriotism surrounding the Civil War. More than 620,000 men and women lost their lives during the bloodiest, most divisive conflict in our nation's history. Many soldiers were laid to rest in enemy territory, far from loving families who could care for their graves and repair the ravages of nature. Thus, their graves often fell victim to neglect. It was this profoundly sad and disturbing sight that moved widows of Confederate soldiers in Columbus, Mississippi to place flowers on the graves of their husbands' former enemies on April 25, 1866. This compassionate act helped lay the foundation for Memorial Day. On May 5, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, Major General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of an organization of former Union soldiers and sailors, proclaimed May 30th "Decoration Day" by issuing an order for his posts to decorate graves with the choicest flowers of springtime. He urged those under his command to "guard (the) graves with sacred vigilance. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of a free and undivided republic." He wanted American citizens to remember the dead soldiers of the Civil War and the painful glory of their deaths. General Logan's proclamation did what men and women on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line had often done on their own. Moved by compassion and kindness, they felt the need to remember, to give honor, and express gratitude. In 1971, Congress expanded the Memorial Day tradition to include all soldiers who had died in service to the nation, and the last Monday in May was officially designated as Memorial Day. Though there is sadness in remembering how many have died in our nation's wars, Memorial Day is also a celebration of hope that the ideals of peace, freedom, and prosperity will shine forever bright in the life of our nation ... and in the lives of her individual people. I believe that is very fitting. I believe those who gave their lives for this country would want us to focus on the hopeful prospects of tomorrow, rather than the dark days of wars long past. I believe they would want us to use this day to recommit ourselves to the ideals upon which this country was founded. On this day, and all such days when we pause to remember, there are some essential lessons for the young, and indeed for all our citizens: Appreciate the blessings of freedom, Recognize the power and virtue of sacrifice, and Remember those who gave their lives to strengthen and preserve the invaluable gift of freedom. In the dark hours of war and conflict, America's veterans answered her call, and they're the reason that the United States is the mightiest, most secure nation on earth today. Remembering is what Memorial Day is all about ... a time to cherish what unites us as one America ... a time to recognize that the mortar holding our society together is mixed with the blood and tears of those who fought and died in battle. Memorial Day is about many things, but it is mostly about refusing to forget. May God bless the United States and all the American heroes we honor this Memorial Day. Memorial Day, 2000: A National "Moment of Remembrance" Secretary Richardson is asking all DOE and contractor employees across the nation to display the POW/MIA flag this Memorial Day as a symbol of the Nation's commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting of Americans who have, or may in the future, become prisoners of war, missing in action, or otherwise unaccounted for as a result of hostile action. Please remember these brave Americans, and the countless veterans who returned home physically and emotionally scarred by the horrors of war. President Clinton is once again urging all Americans to participate in a "National Moment of Remembrance" at 3:00 p.m. local time this Memorial Day to honor those who died in service to our nation by pausing for a moment of silence or to listen to "Taps." The commemoration has been established as a presidential initiative and has been introduced in Congress as a joint resolution. The goal of the National Moment of Remembrance is to "reclaim" the Memorial Day holiday by: * Bringing Americans together to simultaneously pause, remember, and honor those who gave their lives in service to our nation; * Highlighting the importance of service to the community, the nation, and the world; * Recognizing the value of our freedom and the contributions our heroes made to keep us free; and * Making Memorial Day relevant to younger Americans All federal departments and agencies will participate. For more information, visit the official White House website, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/remembrance Information for this message was gathered from the following organizations: The Disabled American Veterans, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion, and the White House Homepage.