SHARE Memorial Day Thots…—>>
Remembering the Fallen
Memorial Day (originally Decoration Day) is a day of remembrance for those who have fallen in service to our country.
Casualties of war in battles to maintain our freedoms and way of life.
Unfortunately, traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished dramatically over the years.
Many Americans seem to have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.
At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored and neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day… or, perhaps, even own and display a flag.
And where have all the Memorial Day parades gone? Heck, as a kid raised in a small town – the annual Memorial Day parade was THE event of the year!
Memorial Day – A Silent Tribute
The “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed on Dec 2000 to help bring back the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day. It asks all Americans, at 3 pm local time…
To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.
Memorial Day – Celebrating Our Freedoms
Kenny Ley, a new leader on my team, shared this with me the other day:
I remember as an Army commander, addressing my subordinates, and thinking… How much more true intelligence some of them had above my own meager level. How academically easy it would be if they chose to go through the training and discipline, they could be a more knowledgeable officer than I with their inherent raw intelligence.
It was a lesson on how the world works:
It isn’t always the brightest that reach the top, but those with the drive, leadership, ambition and dream to push to the front of the pack.
General Eisenhower, as a case in point, as one Internet page explained:
Dwight Eisenhower smoked too much, studied too little, and accumulated an impressive list of demerits. Despite this setback, Eisenhower emerged as a natural leader, serving as junior varsity football coach and yell leader. And, even though he did not apply himself academically at West Point, Eisenhower still managed to graduate in the upper half of his class in 1915, the one that would be later known as the class “The Stars Fell On.”
I share that here today because I think the greatest way we can memorialize those who have fought and died in the field of battle protecting our freedoms is to make sure we live into our own true potential.
To step up and become the leaders we need to be here on our home turf… and raise up leaders within our own family and within our businesses.
Many men and women have died so we can live lives of our own design. But the question begs…
Have We Designed a Life Worth Living… or Dying For?
If not, why not? And if not now, when?
Incoming search terms:
- duane cruickshank passed away
- memorial day in remembrance
