John Katz, Editor, The American Dossier
Valor as defined in The Merriam-Webster Dictionary means strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness.
Memorial Day is always observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving with such valor in the U.S. military. This tradition started after the Civil War, which claimed more lives than any conflict in U.S. history. It required the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries.
Today is Memorial Day and we thank and honor those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice of with their life. Tragically there seems a rapid loss in translation of what Memorial Day is about.
Many people take weekend trips or throw family parties and barbecues on the holiday, perhaps because it unofficially marks the start of summer. It is quite often said that the worst thing to discuss at family gatherings are religion and politics. However in this country, thanks to the sacrifice of these brave men and women we don’t have to worry about being carted off to a prison camp when such occurrences do happen, at least not yet.
With much thanks to modern science and medicine we live at an extraordinary time with a society that is multi-generational. We live longer and technology evolves at a faster rate. There are many differences and yet there are commonalities in that each generation wants to be or wants ‘better’ for the next one. That is why we must not forget the tragedies that have occurred in our world‘s history whether it be slavery or the holocaust.
I am a veteran of the United States Army as were both my father and grand-father. None of us saw combat but we all shared a common bond and reverence to our country and for those that did give that ultimate sacrifice. Whether it be a simple trip to the supermarket or a vacation adventure it is very common to come across veterans wearing their campaign hats varying from branches of service and campaigns from World War 2, Korea , Vietnam , Dessert Shield/ Desert Storm, The Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts These men and women are indeed are multi-generational heroes and continue to serve to remind us all to honor those who made the greatest sacrifice.
This past year we have seen much in the news in regards to patriotism whether it be war-time statues, the national anthem , the American Flag and how we honor those who have served are country in the military. Please take some time and read the these recent attacks on our Veterans and uncommon valor being upheld by every day citizens alike: