I write this on Sunday of the three-day Memorial Day weekend. Like most Americans, I enjoy the extra day off. I worked in the yard and went to see Top Gun: Maverick yesterday (It’s really cheesy and good!). I’ll do a little more yard work and celebrate my brother’s birthday today. More yard work tomorrow (I’m the one that wanted a big yard!).
However, appointments on my calendar both today and tomorrow serve as a gentle reminder of what this three-day weekend is all about. Remembering – memorializing – the sacrifice that protected the freedom that affords us yard work and personal celebrations on a three-day weekend. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970 until we decided we wanted to turn it into a three-day weekend.
I am humbled and honored by those appointments on my calendar. For the last several years I have emceed the Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado in Fort Collins. My friend and Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado founder, Diggs Brown, has honored me since the initial Memorial Day ceremony at the plaza with the invitation to be part of the proceedings. That appointment is today at 12:00 p.m. at the Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado in Spring Creek in Fort Collins. Tomorrow at 9:00 a.m., as Chairman of the Weld Board of County Commissioners, I will read the Weld County Memorial Day proclamation as part of the Memorial Day ceremony at Linn Grove Cemetary in Greeley.
I graduated high school in 1981. While a cold war was mounting, the nation was at peace. My father served in the army, but there was no strong call to arms. So I did not serve. I went to college and dived into my career like most people my age. As an adult, I regret that I did not serve, because I so admire and respect those who chose to serve this nation. In some way, I feel like I let them down – like I have not earned the freedoms I so cherish and enjoy. So I volunteer my time, talent, and treasures and serve my community in ways that I can. That is one of the many reasons I am also so honored to be asked to speak to and serve organizations that honor our veterans.
May I share the opening comments I will give at the Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado event today?
General John A. Logan was an American soldier and political leader from the state of Illinois. He was born in 1826, died in 1886, and in the years between those dates became the third Commander in Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic and is regarded as the most important figure in the movement to recognize Memorial Day – originally known as Decoration Day – as an official holiday. Logan County, Colorado, is named for him.
In General Logan’s General Order Number 11, dated 5 May 1868, he said we should…
“…gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime…. let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude, –the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.”
The “Memorial” in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many of us who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. Often, we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
The great thing about Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado is that it is designed to be a place of solitude, respect and honor for not only those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation, but for those who served, came home, lived well, and have since been taken from us, and for those who served and continue to be with us today.
This place honors our heroes all – for those who are here today that have and are serving – I believe you are our nation’s greatest asset and our nation’s greatest treasure. Sometimes we as a nation forget that. We forget the promises that we made you. My life stands for helping us remember – at every level of our society.
While it may be completely inadequate, it is all I have to offer – in the James household we honor you. We pray for you. We celebrate your service and we revere your sacrifice.
It’s all I have to offer, but it comes from the sincerest of places – thank you for your service.
Veterans, families of veterans, and Gold Star Families thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
Please enjoy your three-day weekend with your friends and family. Barbecue. Work in the yard. Play golf. Maybe go see Top Gun: Maverick (it’s really cheesy and good!). May I ask just one thing? During your enjoyment of the weekend, please pause and say a prayer for the fallen service members and the families who mourn their loss. Better yet, take the kids to attend one of the Memorial Day ceremonies in your area. (From the Greeley Tribune, the Coloradoan, Visit Fort Collins, and the Loveland Reporter Herald.) Just a few hours out of your day will honor those who gave all.
