Home Contra Costa County Keusch: Memorial Day is a Day to Respect, A Day to Honor, a Day to Mourn

Keusch: Memorial Day is a Day to Respect, A Day to Honor, a Day to Mourn

by ECT

So many these days celebrate Memorial Day with a BBQ and a few friends, a couple cold beers and maybe even a baseball game. I recently read a head line in the news that said “Memorial Day the traditional start of the summer season.”

To me and many more this is a sad reality of how our society has diluted something so very great, something our country use to celebrate with pride while honoring the men and women who had to lose their lives while fighting for our rights.

Don’t get me wrong I love me a BBQ, but I feel like some, not all have forgotten what the day is truly about.

In almost every city across this land lays a man or woman who has lost their life while protecting yours. This Memorial Day I ask that you honor and respect these angels by flying an American flag.

Flying the American flag would not only be an expression of gratitude and respect for those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, but also show support for the men and women who are currently fighting to keep our country safe.

I recently had the honor of meeting a man who knows all about flag and what the true meaning of honor and pride. Brentwood resident Gilbert Wagner a WWll Veteran served a combination of 20 years. He enlisted into the Navy and dedicated 10 years of his life then and then reenlisted to the Air force only 30 days after his completion of service with the Navy.

Gilbert-Wagner-Flags

Four times a year he sets out to adorn his yard with flags “this is how I show my respect for the military, past present and future” Gilbert says he has a different design for each day he puts the flags up.

  • Armed Forces Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Veterans Day

When I asked Gilbert what was one thing he would like me to address when writing this he choked back tears and said “he just wished more people would recognize what the military does for us”.

This year I will buy a flag and fly it so when a veteran or family members of those who have lost loves ones in war drive past my home they know my family honors and recognizes all that was lost.

I hope you will join me in flying our flag.

Flag Education for Memorial Day

Fly the US flag at half-staff until noon. For US flags displayed on a short staff or for indoor flags that cannot be lowered to half-staff, tie a black bow above the full-staffed US flag.

According to United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1, Section 7, “the flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position.

The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

 Submitted by Kristy Keusch

 

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1 comment

Marty Fernandez May 24, 2015 - 1:07 pm

What a great guy! We fly our flag for our country on our home every day. Thank you Mike.

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