Tomorrow is May 30, 2011, Memorial Day. History says it started in Charleston, South Carolina in 1865. There, a large crowd of former slaves declared a "Decoration Day" at a graveyard of 257 Union soldiers. The event was publicized and the organization for the Northern Civil War Veterans called for events to be held nationwide. May 30th was chosen because it was not the anniversary of any battle.
Northern states adoped the practice quickly while southern states had their own decoration days on various dates. The term "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882. Supposedly, it became the preferred name only after World War II. In 1968, Congress passed a law moving the holiday to the last Monday in May, thereby creating a three-day weekend. This year, the holiday falls on the original date.
It is a specific day for remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in dying for their country. I join with others in remembering them and appreciating the liberties we've enjoyed because of their deaths! It is also a sad rememberance as well, for those who died unnecessarily. in frivolous military operations! The war in Vietnam comes quickly to mind. Our leaders have not always had the lives of military men and women in the forefront of their concerns. Many were considered expendable for political and commercial endeavours. which were not threats to our national livelihood.
Indeed today, we are at threat more from within than without. The Patriot Act and other legislation have removed many of the freedoms we enjoy. The Constitution we all hold dear has been twisted and misused against us! The Presidency is slowly becoming a dictatorship. The American public is like a frog in a pan of boiling water, we didn't jump because the heat came up slowly. We've been cooked alive!
I often wonder what the founding fathers could have done differently to save us, here in 2011. Term limits has always been the answer I arrive at first. Congressmen like the money and power their office brings. If their terms in office were limited, their temptations to sell out the citizens would also be limited.
But I believe the greatest help would have been acknowledging God and establishing religious freedom more explicitly, with protections. We have allowed atheist to change the rules one by one, till God has been pushed out of government! Our Founding Fathers never intended that! Patrick Henry, who most only remember for "give me liberty or give me death" had a lot more to say, even in that quote. Let me expand it a little for you, "It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. ... Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things, which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Patrick Henry also opposed approving the U.S. constitution for fear the centralized federal government would take too much power. He advocated states rights, a position I would join in with him today! Our government is slowly taking over every aspect of our lives. Neither major political party will reign it in. They support the beast and the power it gives them!
I'll end with another quote from Mr. Henry, "Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is impossible that a nation of infidels or idolaters should be a nation of freemen. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles."
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