May 24, 2020
Question: what does a furniture sale have to do with Memorial Day? Answer: abso-blooming-lutely nothing! Nothing but one more holiday – and it used to be pronounced holy day – converted into one more excuse for merchandising.
Christmas was co-opted a long time ago. Easter, today, is largely a time for rabbits, colored eggs and new clothes. The message of Easter and Christmas still gets through the commercials. Even a casual observer knows that a Savior named Jesus was born, and born again, on those days. And His word is spread today by His living followers.
But Memorial Day? How many even know its origin and its meaning?
Originally known as Decoration Day, the practice of honoring the deaths of soldiers began in October, 1864. Emma Hunter went to the cemetery in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania to lay flowers on the grave of her father, Dr. Ruben Hunter, a surgeon in the Union Army. On that same day Mrs. Elizabeth Meyer went to decorate the grave of her son, Amos, a private who had fallen on the last day of the battle of Gettysburg. The two women struck up a conversation and before leaving the cemetery, each laid flowers on the grave of the other’s loved one.
The two women met the next year and decorated all of the graves of soldiers killed in battle. Their private ceremony turned into a community memorial on July 4, 1865, with every grave in the Boalsburg cemetery decorated with flowers and flags.
Columbus, Mississippi, claims origination of a formal observance for both the Union and the Confederate dead in 1866. Ceremonies at first were held to honor only those who had died in the Civil War, but later the program was broadened to include all heroes who “gave the last full measure of devotion” in all of American’s wars.
George was born in Dexter, Missouri, in 1937. He and his wife, Jane, had two sons, David and James. On February 7, 1967, he was serving as a first lieutenant in the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. On that day, when his unit came under heavy enemy attack in the Republic of Vietnam, George organized the defense, rescued a wounded soldier, and single-handedly attacked an enemy position before being mortally wounded. For his actions during the battle, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Every recipient of America’s highest award for valor in action against an enemy force can be found at: http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-archive.php
George Kenton Sisler’s Medal of Honor citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty.
“1st Lt. Sisler was the platoon leader/adviser to a Special United States/Vietnam exploitation force. While on patrol deep within enemy dominated territory, 1st Lt. Sisler’s platoon was attacked from 3 sides by a company sized enemy force. 1st Lt. Sisler quickly rallied his men, deployed them to a better defensive position, called for air strikes, and moved among his men to encourage and direct their efforts.
“Learning that two men had been wounded and were unable to pull back to the perimeter, 1st Lt. Sisler charged from the position through intense enemy fire to assist them. He reached the men and began carrying one of them back to the perimeter, when he was taken under more intensive weapons fire by the enemy. Laying down his wounded comrade, he killed three onrushing enemy soldiers by firing his rifle and silenced the enemy machine gun with a grenade.
“As he returned the wounded man to the perimeter, the left flank of the position came under extremely heavy attack by the superior enemy force and several additional men of his platoon were quickly wounded. Realizing the need for instant action to prevent his position from being overrun, 1st Lt. Sisler picked up some grenades and charged single-handedly into the enemy onslaught, firing his weapon and throwing grenades.
“This singularly heroic action broke up the vicious assault and forced the enemy to begin withdrawing. Despite the continuing enemy fire, 1st Lt. Sisler was moving about the battlefield directing air strikes when he fell mortally wounded. His extraordinary leadership, infinite courage, and selfless concern for his men saved the lives of a number of his comrades. His actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the military service.”
Americans who have died, guaranteeing our freedom, are not honored by the “beginning of summer” sales. The purchase of a new couch, a new stove, new clothes, a new car, or a new necklace just does not do it. Pick another way to ennoble the brave men and women, who have fought – and died – for the United States of America.
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Amen!
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