1 June 2002
Subject:
Keeping Tradition Alive
Dear
Ones,
Last Saturday, many people across America were traveling on the three-day weekend or making final plans for a family picnic, bar-b-que, beach outing, or shopping trip to the mall. As for me and my family, we were totally involved in preparing for a Memorial Day ceremony which we hold each year in a local cemetery.
Some eight years ago, I asked the local mayor who put the flags on the veterans’ graves in the cemetery on special occasions such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Much to my surprise, he answered, "No one." Then he went on to explain that many members of the local veterans organizations had gotten "old" and that they had "just lost interest". I told him that I couldn't believe that no one was putting the flags on the veterans' graves anymore, especially since there was a Medal of Honor recipient buried in the cemetery. I decided, then and there, to do something about the situation. I said to the mayor, "Well, we are going to start putting the flags up again... and continue as long as I have breath in my body."
On Monday, we held our Seventh Annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Avenue of Flags. The Avenue of Flags is a collection of 50 casket flags donated by family members of deceased veterans and lines the roadways throughout the cemetery. We, also, place small American flags at the graves of the 110 veterans who are buried in this small, country cemetery... veterans who fought in America's wars from the Civil War to the Vietnam War.
Besides the typical Memorial Day speech, we pay tribute each year to the veterans of a particular war or honor someone special like our deceased Medal of Honor winner. Area veterans lay a wreath at a symbolic grave in memory of all those who have fought in our many wars so that we may live free. We, also, conduct a "Roll Call" of all veterans buried in the cemetery and "Toll the Bell" after each name is called. A local veterans organization fires a gun salute each year.
One of the highlights of our ceremony is the participation of our young people. After all, teaching patriotism and educating our children and grandchildren on the meaning of Memorial Day is what this is all about. The young Sea Cadets serve as our Honor/Color Guard for posting and retiring the Colors. A choral group from the local elementary school sings a medley of patriotic songs, young flower girls place fresh flowers on each veteran's grave and a high school student plays the traditional "Taps" to close our ceremony.
I began by saying that our whole family is involved in this undertaking. While we certainly get a tremendous amount of help from others in the community, it seems the planning, coordination and execution of the ceremony consumes the Ladner family for weeks on end. We operate from a two-page checklist I developed and soon after one ceremony is completed, we begin planning for the next one.
Leavon, as always, is my right hand "Chief of Staff", and my "A Number One 'Gofer'." She is in charge of the 160 flags; all pre-recorded music played at the ceremony; the flower girls, flowers and baskets; program distribution; drinking water; table; CD player; and several military items, which are placed on a cross at the symbolic grave. She, also, works along side the men when we are setting up the canopy tents and chairs for all the attendees and putting up and taking down the flags.
Christian comes home each Memorial Day weekend to help set up the tents and put up the flags. He then "Tolls the Bell" during the "Roll Call". This year, Christian's four year-old stepdaughter, Madison, was one of our eight flower girls. (I believe they are never too young to begin their education.)
As "Founder" and "Organizer" of the local event, I naturally pick myself to have the easy part... I get to deliver the Memorial Day speech each year. That means I just have to stand up and talk for about a half hour... which I feel most proud and honored to do.
As we were taking down the canopy tents after last Monday's ceremony, I looked around at the group of guys and gals hard at work, perspiring in the hot sun, and, jokingly, asked, "Who got us into this mess in the first place?" Without missing a beat, one of guys looked at me and said, "I don't know, but it is one of the best things that's ever been done in this community."
I answered him, "Well, this is our seventh year to do it... and, I guess, we will just have to keep on doing it until we get it right! And besides, while I may be breathing hard, I am not out of breath yet."
I pray that the tradition of Memorial Day will live on for generations to come. As for me and my house, we plan to do our part. Will you help us to keep remembrance alive? When you consider what “they” did for us, I don’t think it’s asking too much.
Don
