Memorial Day Weekend is to honor those lost, not those still living...
PRESS RELEASE
WILDWOOD - It’s a phrase commonly heard and usually appreciated, but this weekend you won’t want to tell a veteran “thank you for your service.” Memorial Day Weekend is mostly misconstrued as a day to thank veterans for their dedication to our country.
American Legion Post 184 has put out a PSA on Facebook from Legion member and Jr. Vice Director of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 955 Mike Kelly on what Memorial Day is all about.
“Memorial Day is just not the unofficial beginning of summer, it’s a day that we reflect upon those that made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Kelly. “It’s not a day to come up to servicemen and say thank you for your service, it’s a day to think about the ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
Post 184 knows the weekend is mostly celebratory, but the true meaning of Memorial Day is to honor members of the United States Armed Forces that have died during armed conflicts or are still POW MIA. The weekend is to honor the “brothers and sisters” of living veterans that were not as lucky to return home and to honor the father, mother, son, or daughter who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom.
“It is OK to celebrate on Memorial Day, because you have that right from our military members we honor this weekend. Weekend celebrations showcase support and patriotism,” said Post Commander Harry Weimar. “But aside from that, please take a minute to reflect and remember, and come out to our ceremonies to show support and respect.”
To honor the lives of those lost this weekend, American Legion Post 184 will host two events on Saturday and one on Monday. Their annual parade will kick off on Saturday, May 25th at 7:30 pm starting at Oak and Pacific Avenue. Anyone interested in participating should join the lineup at 7 pm.
The parade goes through town over to the Vietnam Memorial Wall at Ocean and Veterans Way (Burk Avenue) where a candlelight vigil will start at dusk.
On Monday at 11 am, a ceremony will be hosted at the Post with remarks from guest speaker Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. After the remarks, ceremony attendees will walk to Memory Lane and the Vietnam Memorial Wall for additional moments of recognition.
More details on weekend events can be found online at legion184.org and updates will be posted to the Post Facebook at facebook.com/legion184.
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