The thoughts and ideas expressed below are exclusively those of Jack Straley and www.justplaintalkwithjack.com  We may agree, and that’s fine, or we may disagree, that’s okay too.  My sole purpose is to encourage others to think, study, and become involved. Exercise your freedom and above all, when presented the opportunity, please vote.

Today is Memorial Day, May 29, 2023.  This is a day set aside to remember all fallen patriots that made the ultimate sacrifice in duties securing and maintaining our freedom and our nation.  Lately I have heard newscasters, talking heads, and man on the street interviews referring to this day incorrectly and it needs to change.  They are stating it is a day to honor all veterans, living and dead.  Part of this may be due to the lack of proper education directed by the Department of Education.

In 1868 this country had been rebuilding from a deadly conflict between the states.  For three years the wounds of this war had been nurtured and efforts to find ways to insure another war of this nature would ever be repeated.  In May of this year Congress enacted a national day of remembrance for all fallen soldiers to be remembered, it was called Decoration Day.  This day people across the healing nation decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers that had been killed in action.

In 1974 Congress again set a holiday to be celebrated on the last Monday of May to honor fallen warriors and this bill would actually replace or rename Decoration Day and become Memorial Day.  Many people still refer to this day as Decoration Day but technically it is Memorial Day.  With that knowledge let’s all take time during the frivolity of the day to say a short quite prayer of remembrance and thanks to all these honorees.

In 1971 once again our Congress enacted legislation that designated a day, November 11, each year to be a day to celebrate, honor, and recognize all military veterans.  This day is Veterans Day.  The date of November 11 was chosen in memory of the ending of hostilities of World War I, which occurred on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month IN 1918.

May each and every one of us remember these days and keep them at the foremost of our thoughts and prayers.  Have a happy and safe Memorial Day and in November may we all still be together to celebrate Veterans Day.

God bless America and all who have defended her, both living and dead.