Memorial Day Observation

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 and was first observed on 30 May 1868. It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May. In 1915 a woman named Moina Michael conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. This tradition soon spread to other countries. in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. Sadly, many Americans todays have forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Here is what everyone shoud be doing -

• visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.

• visiting memorials.

• flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.

• flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well

• by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.

• by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans.

Here is Cpl. Levi T. Angell. A hometown hero that gave his all for our freedoms. Pray for him and his family.

Lance Cpl. Levi T Angell, 20, of Saint Louis, Minn., died April 8 due to injuries received from hostile fire in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was assigned to Combat Service Support Group 11, 1^st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.