A Word or Two About Memorial Day

                                          Good Day World!

"THE MUFFLED drum's sad roll has beat The soldier's last tattoo; No more on Life's parade shall meet That brave and fallen few. On Fame's eternal camping-ground 5 Their silent tents are spread, And Glory guards, with solemn round, The bivouac of the dead."

Bivouac Of The Dead, by Theodore O'Hara

I often find that when talking to friends and family there's some confusion about what Memorial Day is really all about.

Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Patriot Day blend together for many Americans. 

Setting the record straight...

Memorial Day (the last Monday of May) is a day to honor those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. This definition comes from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

I would like to take a moment here to remember a veteran, and good friend, James Roberts; who I fought alongside with in Vietnam, and Cambodia (where he was killed in action in 1970).

Moving on:

Veterans Day (November 11th) honors everyone who served the military.

Patriot's Day (September 11th) honors civilians who died during the 2001 terrorist attacks against our nation. 

Here's a good article about the differences - and origins - of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Time for me to walk on down the road...