We Honor Those That
Gave All
Memorial Day,
originally known as Decoration Day, became an official holiday in 1971. Its
original date and location has been claimed by many.
“Regardless of the exact date or location of its origins, one thing is
clear – Memorial Day was borne out of the Civil War and a desire to honor our
dead. It was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan,
national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No.
11. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of
their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost
every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed. The date
of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the
anniversary of any particular battle. “
Here in our Purple
Heart City of Cape Coral, we are blessed with a military museum and library.
The museum serves as a library of history and education to everyone. But it
also serves as a location for Veterans to meet for support and camaraderie. Each
Tuesday the museum hosts a luncheon for Veterans. Usually they divide
themselves at tables by the war in which they served. And, yes, occasionally a veteran from World
War I has visited. There are quite a few Vietnam Veterans who attend. My
husband, an Australian RAN Veteran sits among them since there are few Iraqi
and Afghanistan Veterans that attend the luncheon. Always sitting at the same table, a habit we
can all relate to. People habitually take the same seat for dinner at home and
sit on the same pew each Sunday in church. To designate, or should I saw mark,
their territory a place card is located on the table. This marker also helps
new visitors to know which table is which group. I was asked to “pretty up” a
rather dreary looking place marker for the Vietnam table. It was an honor to do
so.
My own father is a Veteran of the Vietnam War. Each day I thank God that he returned safely back to us. I'm thankful for each of these men and women that gather weekly in the spirit of brotherhood for the service and protection they gave all of us. Each of these military members are who we refer to in the beginning of the famous quote "All Gave Some...". As they gather they give comfort and support knowing how deep each sacrificed for our wonderful nation. And each week they also give honor to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, as we do this coming Monday on what we now call Memorial Day.
To remember those who gave their lives for our protection. Those who represent the latter portion of Howard William Osterkamp's ( Army C Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team Korean War 1951-1953) quote "...Some Gave All"
If you are a Veteran in the local SW Florida area and would like to learn more of the services and programs available at the SW Florida Military Museum & Library, please visit:
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