Memorial Day thoughts.Byline: The Register-Guard Monday's Memorial Day holiday - Memorial Day itself is on Thursday - offers an opportunity for Americans to pause and pay tribute to those who have worn the country's uniforms in time of war, and also to honor the memories of special people who have in some way touched their lives. This year's Memorial Day, of course, comes at a time when Americans in the military are in various parts of the globe fighting terrorism. So it will be especially appropriate tomorrow to thank those men and women for their courage and their commitment. Last week's death in Afghanistan of Army Sgt. Gene Arden Vance Jr. of West Virginia West Virginia, E central state of the United States. It is bordered by Pennsylvania and Maryland (N), Virginia (E and S), and Kentucky and, across the Ohio R., Ohio (W). Facts and Figures Area, 24,181 sq mi (62,629 sq km). Pop. brought a reminder that Americans standing in harm's way harm's way n. A risky position; danger: a place for the children that is out of harm's way; ships that sail into harm's way. deserve the nation's everlasting support. Remember them tomorrow. Last Sept. 11 brought the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. some harsh and horrifying realities, and Monday would be a good time to remember those who perished on that day in New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of , Washington and Pennsylvania. That day forever changed the way Americans view the world and their own security. Except for the hijackers, those who died on Sept. 11 were innocent victims, unaware of the anti-American hatreds of fanatics. They began the day in normal fashion: eating breakfast, going to work, boarding airplanes, etc. Their day - and their lives - ended prematurely and tragically. Remember them tomorrow. Memorial Day is also the time to remember those who fought and died in defending the United States in past wars. The Greatest Generation, that band of stalwarts who beat the Great Depression, won World War II and remade re·made v. Past tense and past participle of remake. post-war America, is dwindling dwin·dle v. dwin·dled, dwin·dling, dwin·dles v.intr. To become gradually less until little remains. v.tr. To cause to dwindle. See Synonyms at decrease. now, but deserves to be remembered and honored. So, too, do those who fought and died in Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Grenada, and the gulf war. Tomorrow would also be a good day to remember those who perished, at far too young an age, at Thurston and Columbine columbine, in botany columbine (kŏl`əmbīn), any plant of the genus Aquilegia, temperate-zone perennials of the family Ranunculaceae (buttercup family), popular both as wildflowers and as garden flowers. and in other schools across the nation. Theirs is a youth never to grow older. Remember them, too. And take time tomorrow to recall family members and friends no longer with us. Each, in his or her own unique way, made our lives richer, deeper and more whole. Remember - and thank - them. Memorial Day is special. It is a time for reflection and gratitude. And memories. |
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