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Show Memorial J jmsfi Daij 'm Observance WHAT does "memorial" signify? sig-nify? The answer la, In memory mem-ory of our dead or a day to decorate the graves of those we love and friends we respected, not forgetting our unknown soldier. All nationalities and different religious re-ligious denominations in churches and out in the open pay religious tribute to those who have departed to meet their Maker through the most fervent prayers, and the laying of flowers and flags on the graves of our dead Is a most solemn duty accompanied by Joy and tears a Joy on that day If we are In close proximity to those we loved and tears when our recollections of the past are so vividly fresh In our minds. Memorial day is the one day In the year when the good and bad, the rich and poor, the haughty and humble, through their grief at the resting place of their beloved forget the difference of their stations in life, because hete is the time and the place where only through the name on the tombstones is there any distinction. Little children assist In decorating I the graves of those they love perhaps a schoolmate, sister or brother, mother or father. Of all times In their lives this is the most solemn, their faces plainly indicating their seriousness, proving that the heartaches of all vary but little. All these most human labors of love for the departed ones take place In nearly every hamlet of this great nation. na-tion. Also, the meaning of Memorial day reaches wherever our people may be around the world from the most prosperous Individual to the most willful will-ful whose liberty Is curtailed to the confines of their place of Incarceration, because the most hardened men and women have sincere recollections when thinking of their dead. This Is the day set aside by most states of oar Union to forcibly bring to our minds that those whom we loved in life and our country's heroes should not be forgotten In their lonely surroundings. sur-roundings. A single flower of little value placed on a grave denotes thoughtfulness or a possible sacrifice by a humble sufferer. suf-ferer. However, value does not count, but remembrance does. This Is the real meaning of the word "memorial." May SO is a day when in the morning morn-ing at least we should refrain from doing do-ing things that create too much Jollification, Jollifi-cation, as this is the time when many In an official capacity and otherwise are visiting the homes of our 'dead, performing a most sacred duty. A little serious thought on what the day represents would mean more reverence for our dead. J. P. Brophy, In the Cleveland Plain Dealer. |
