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Show I MEMORIAL DAY. I Again wc have upon us that day which the Nation has set apart and dedicated to be observed as a day for remembering heroes ot a past day. It is perfectly proper and fitting that a day during cacli year should be given over to paying tribute to those of a past gencra- tion. To a certain extent, at least, the truest significance of tins day has been lost sight of, but in this it is not alone, as nearly all ot our national and even our international holidays have lost some of tneir H original significance in the manner in which they arc celebrated. Formerly the Fourth of July, Decoration Day and other similar events were celebrated in a more serious and sober manner than to- day. There would be parades in which civic and military bodies par- licipatcd, public services in churches and other edifices, patriotic speeches and sermons and music suitable to the occasion. Now it these ceremonies arc indulged in they arc chiefly of a minor or secondary importance. The real observance of the day begins when the festivities commence in the various pleasure resorts and amusc- incut places. The day is almost entirely given over to merriment and mirth. This may not be wrong, in fact it may be a very good method to impress upon our minds that our country is a glorious one, that our national achievements arc great and that our progress has been splendid, still wc sometimes think if on Memorial Day a more sub- ducd and quieter method of enjoyment were indulged in wc would H be just as well off. H Memorial or Decoration Day should be a day, to a certain cx- I tent, given over to memories of the past. Wc should cast a fleeting H thought back through the years to the men and women who gave us H so much, who gave their all that this Nation might continue to H exist a free, united and independent Nation. The men who gave I their lives on the battle fields of the great war, which nearly rent our country in twain, the men who fought on both sides were sincere I men fighting for what they believed to be the best for their country, H and for their children who should follow them. They believed that H the principles for which they fought were for the best interests of the H whole country and her people, and remembering these things it is H well that we should consecrate one day in the year in contemplating H their lives and gathering inspiration from their deeds, that wc may H be better fitted to do our part as citizens of a free republic whose H mission it is to show that freedom and liberty can be enjoyed in a H great and mighty country. It is proper that we devote a little time H to the keeping green their graves, not because it makes any diffcr-H diffcr-H mice to them, but on account of the good it will do us. H This is not intended as a plea for the casting of a sad and sombre H spirit over the day, but merely expressing the wish that in this quick. H nervous, strenuous life which most of us lead, we will not deprive H ourselves of the pleasure of enjoying that sweetest happiness of H all, memories. H Some one has said "life is nothing but memories," and perhaps H that person was right. Our lifes arc chiefly made up of memories, H so let us, to-day, dedicate a portion of our time worshipping at the H shrine of memory, paying homage to the dear departed ones. Let H us decorate and keep green the final, earthly, resting places of the H generation who have gone before us. |