Memorial Day is this month. Most of us will spend it at the beach, or a barbecue. Some of us, however, will spend it in a hospital bed. For most of us the holiday signals the start of summer. For merchants in a beach-and-resort town like ours, it's a season of opportunity.
I'd like to comment on another aspect of Memorial Day however. I'd like you to consider the roots of the holiday. And at the end of this column, I'm going to give you a very worthy opportunity indeed.
History of Memorial Day
To many people, especially the nation’s thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who have died in the service of their country.
According to various popular reference sources, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30,1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
“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. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
Also, as the Civil War was coming to a close in the spring of 1865, Women’s Auxiliaries of the North and South moved from providing relief to the families and soldiers on their own sides to joining in efforts to preserve and decorate the graves of both sides.
Local Heroes
Today more than 174,000 active duty and 37,000 reserve Marines protect the United States of America, bravely serving our nation in hotbeds of violence like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Their dedication often has a price. Department of Defense statistics indicate 1545 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom through March 31 of 2005. More than 11,400 have been wounded in the same time period. Injury to a Marine causes an immediate crisis for the whole family. Loved ones must travel on a moment's notice, often a great distance, to be the bedside of their wounded spouse or relative.
Carlsbad merchants have a special relationship with the Marine Corps because of our proximity to Camp Pendleton. While many of us enjoy the steady stream of customers who beat paths to our stores from the main gate at Pendleton, I'd like to point out that Camp Pendleton has had more Marines killed or injured in the Iraq war than any other service location.
Carlsbad has its own “keepers of the flame” as it relates to preserving the honor of Memorial Day. One of our most notable public servants is a retired Marine, Mayor Bud Lewis. Councilman Matt Hall is retired from the Army.
The mayor, and others, are working diligently to assist those Marines wounded in action defending our community and nation. Because of various bureaucratic and legislative problems at the federal level, the families of wounded Marines often face very difficult financial challenges while they try to provide emotional comfort and support to their injured spouse who lies in a hospital or rehab facility. As Mayor Lewis said, “The injured need to have their loved ones around them.” And that's not happening like it should.
Currently the federal government only provides funds for two family members to visit an injured soldier; three in extreme circumstances. What happens if you're a family of four, plus parents on each side? There are no federal funds for hotels, rental cars and subsistence while you're thousands of miles from home in a strange city looking at your wounded spouse in hospital bed. Often the wounded are from the lower enlisted ranks that are less well off financially. It's an emotionally and financially taxing situation, to say the least.
Consider this scenario.
Mike M. is a 13 year Marine Corps member from Camp Pendleton who was on patrol with a convoy in Iraq when four roadside bombs (IEDs) were detonated by insurgents as their vehicles passed by. A fifth bomb failed to explode, likely sparing his life in the process.
Shrapnel tore through his hands, arms and upper body. According to doctors, his arms would have been amputated just two years ago but for current advances in surgical techniques. He has a wife and four children; two are teen-agers, one is ten and the other eight.
Originally transferred to Bethesda Naval Hospital after his injuries, Mike has endured 12 surgeries on his hands in an attempt to save them. He has six more procedures scheduled. Just before his deployment to Iraq, Mike bought a car with a stick shift transmission.
Opportunity
There is an avenue for you to help. And here's the opportunity I promised you. It's the Nice Guys Victory Fund, based in San Diego. This fund assists Marines and sailors that are based at San Diego-area military facilities who are injured in combat.
If you're a Chamber member, or a concerned resident of our community, consider how you might honor the soldiers and sailors who have been killed or wounded to preserve our freedoms and your business this Memorial Day.
For the next few weeks in May, keep a thought in the back of your mind about how many of your customers, your employees or perhaps your vendors are current or retired Marines or members of the larger family of other branches of the armed services who defend our country with their lives.
Why not join me, and other members of our chamber to support the Nice Guys Victory Fund or the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund this Memorial Day? Ask your customers to consider doing the same. Let's give an injured Marine a chance to move from a hospital bed to the beach, and enjoy a barbecue too.
The Nice Guys Victory Fund and the Semper Fi Fund are both IRS certified non profit 501 c 3 organizations. 100% of your donation goes to help these families.
For more information, telephone the Victory Fund for the Nice Guys hotline at (858) 597-9397. Or, log onto www.semperfifund.org.
And thank you to all who defend our country.
I'd like to comment on another aspect of Memorial Day however. I'd like you to consider the roots of the holiday. And at the end of this column, I'm going to give you a very worthy opportunity indeed.
History of Memorial Day
To many people, especially the nation’s thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who have died in the service of their country.
According to various popular reference sources, Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation’s Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30,1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:
“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. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
Also, as the Civil War was coming to a close in the spring of 1865, Women’s Auxiliaries of the North and South moved from providing relief to the families and soldiers on their own sides to joining in efforts to preserve and decorate the graves of both sides.
Local Heroes
Today more than 174,000 active duty and 37,000 reserve Marines protect the United States of America, bravely serving our nation in hotbeds of violence like Iraq and Afghanistan.
Their dedication often has a price. Department of Defense statistics indicate 1545 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom through March 31 of 2005. More than 11,400 have been wounded in the same time period. Injury to a Marine causes an immediate crisis for the whole family. Loved ones must travel on a moment's notice, often a great distance, to be the bedside of their wounded spouse or relative.
Carlsbad merchants have a special relationship with the Marine Corps because of our proximity to Camp Pendleton. While many of us enjoy the steady stream of customers who beat paths to our stores from the main gate at Pendleton, I'd like to point out that Camp Pendleton has had more Marines killed or injured in the Iraq war than any other service location.
Carlsbad has its own “keepers of the flame” as it relates to preserving the honor of Memorial Day. One of our most notable public servants is a retired Marine, Mayor Bud Lewis. Councilman Matt Hall is retired from the Army.
The mayor, and others, are working diligently to assist those Marines wounded in action defending our community and nation. Because of various bureaucratic and legislative problems at the federal level, the families of wounded Marines often face very difficult financial challenges while they try to provide emotional comfort and support to their injured spouse who lies in a hospital or rehab facility. As Mayor Lewis said, “The injured need to have their loved ones around them.” And that's not happening like it should.
Currently the federal government only provides funds for two family members to visit an injured soldier; three in extreme circumstances. What happens if you're a family of four, plus parents on each side? There are no federal funds for hotels, rental cars and subsistence while you're thousands of miles from home in a strange city looking at your wounded spouse in hospital bed. Often the wounded are from the lower enlisted ranks that are less well off financially. It's an emotionally and financially taxing situation, to say the least.
Consider this scenario.
Mike M. is a 13 year Marine Corps member from Camp Pendleton who was on patrol with a convoy in Iraq when four roadside bombs (IEDs) were detonated by insurgents as their vehicles passed by. A fifth bomb failed to explode, likely sparing his life in the process.
Shrapnel tore through his hands, arms and upper body. According to doctors, his arms would have been amputated just two years ago but for current advances in surgical techniques. He has a wife and four children; two are teen-agers, one is ten and the other eight.
Originally transferred to Bethesda Naval Hospital after his injuries, Mike has endured 12 surgeries on his hands in an attempt to save them. He has six more procedures scheduled. Just before his deployment to Iraq, Mike bought a car with a stick shift transmission.
Opportunity
There is an avenue for you to help. And here's the opportunity I promised you. It's the Nice Guys Victory Fund, based in San Diego. This fund assists Marines and sailors that are based at San Diego-area military facilities who are injured in combat.
If you're a Chamber member, or a concerned resident of our community, consider how you might honor the soldiers and sailors who have been killed or wounded to preserve our freedoms and your business this Memorial Day.
For the next few weeks in May, keep a thought in the back of your mind about how many of your customers, your employees or perhaps your vendors are current or retired Marines or members of the larger family of other branches of the armed services who defend our country with their lives.
Why not join me, and other members of our chamber to support the Nice Guys Victory Fund or the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund this Memorial Day? Ask your customers to consider doing the same. Let's give an injured Marine a chance to move from a hospital bed to the beach, and enjoy a barbecue too.
The Nice Guys Victory Fund and the Semper Fi Fund are both IRS certified non profit 501 c 3 organizations. 100% of your donation goes to help these families.
For more information, telephone the Victory Fund for the Nice Guys hotline at (858) 597-9397. Or, log onto www.semperfifund.org.
And thank you to all who defend our country.