"I believe in the United States of America as a government of
the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in
a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those
principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
"I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag,
and to defend it against all enemies."
This passage is entitled "The American's Creed." Its author is
William Tyler Page, clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1917. It was accepted by the House on behalf of the American people on April 3, 1918.
Freedom
From the tomb of the unknown soldier
To the silver-haired crowns of our fathers,
From the shores of Tripoli
To the Pacific's pearl-green waters,
I wish to give a tribute,
A four-starred salute today,
For those who fought so bravely
For our freedom and American way.
We take out rights for granted,
But they were earned in blue-red blood
And courage beyond the call of duty
In France's cold, wet mud.
Beginning with the Revolution
Through the Saudi Arabian sands
Men have fought and suffered
And died on foreign lands.
So slaute this Memorial Day
And many more to come.
Through blood and guts and glory,
Our freedom has been won.
~~ John Alton Robinson ~~
"Since 1868, Americans have celebrated Memorial Day to honor those
who fought and died to preserve our freedom. We set aside one day each year to pause and reflect on the debt of gratitude we owe to
the brave patriots who stood in the breach when the defense of liberty demanded the ultimate sacrifice.
"Perhaps President John F. Kennedy captured the spirit of this holiday best when he said, "A nation reveals itself not only by the
men it produces, but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers." By honoring the men and women who have sacrificed their
lives to protect our freedom, we ensure that their heroic spirit will live on in this new century.
"Indeed, this spirit is alive and well in today's Armed Forces. In the mountains of Bosnia, along the DMZ in Korea, in the rocky Sinai
desert, in the skies over Iraq, and the blue waters of the Pacific, our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen stand
watch -- day and night -- guarding freedom's frontier. Today, as in the past, they bear the burdens that make America's blessings
possible for all its citizens.
"The Joint Chiefs of Staff and I join every American in honoring those who gave their lives -- and all of their tomorrows -- so that
we might live in peace. We also salute the dedicated men and women of today's Armed Forces who actively preserve this noble legacy."
~~ Gen. Henry H. Shelton, USA Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
~~
Air Force
Air Force
Coast Guard
Marines
Navy
Army
"It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of
our country in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as
something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray-haired. But most of them were boys when they died, they gave up two lives -- the
one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and
grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for their county, for us. All we can do is
remember."
~~ Ronald Wilson Reagan ~~ Remarks at Veteran's Day ceremony,
Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia, November 11, 1985
"Memorial Day is on the last Monday in May and honors those men and
women who lost their lives serving their country. What we celebrate as Memorial Day today, began at the end of the Civil War. Family
members of the many soldiers slain in battle would visit the grave sites of their fallen relatives or friends and decorate the graves
with flowers.
"On May 5, 1868, General John Logan proclaimed this day a holiday through his General Order No. 11. The day was entitled Decoration
Day and was first observed on May 30, 1868. The northern states celebrated this day every year, but the southern states celebrated a
day similar to this on a different day until sometime after World War I.
"In 1882, the name Decoration day was changed to Memorial Day, and in 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday to be held on
the last Monday of May every year. Over the years it has come to serve as a day to remember all U.S. men and women killed or missing
in action in all wars.
"I am truly grateful for the freedoms which we enjoy today. Too often, we take these gifts for granted, little realizing the
sacrifice which was involved in ensuring that these freedoms continue to be a part of all of our lives. Be honest, how many of us
think of Memorial Day as just another chance for a three-day weekend? A chance to go the lakes or beaches or mountains? A trip to
Disneyland or Six Flags or some other amusement park?
"If you are here in the United States, please remember to display your flag. Let's not forget the real reason for having this holiday."
