A Legacy of Honor surrounds this coming weekend. Likewise, Memorial Day is a special time for Americans. For this blog article, ER Precision Optics is proud to depart from our typical schedule of technological and scientific blog articles. Additionally, as we have said in previous blogs, this is an appropriate time to send you a salute for the coming great American Holiday, Memorial Day.
Expanding A Legacy of Honor
We think a three-day weekend is not long enough to honor the fallen heroes of our military. Therefore, as we have done previously, the ER owners and staff declare this entire week as a time to honor our fallen military.
We believe we should never forget the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice of life, in the line of duty. At ER Precision Optics, we are proud to admit our patriotism. we, therefore, salute the heroes of all branches of our military service. Indeed, we are not ashamed to admit we are patriots.
A Little Backstory on Memorial Day
In the beginning, Memorial Day celebrations were occasions of somber honor to the soldiers who died for this country. In fact, the government originated Memorial Day as a day when citizens could decorate the graves of their fallen friends and family.
As time went on, Memorial Day became a three-day weekend. And so, fun activities naturally followed to celebrate the introduction of the summer season.
A Legacy of Honor and Family Time
We fill the weekend with picnics, boating, swimming, camping, and backyard cookouts. However, this holiday is bittersweet.
On the one hand, we celebrate the legacy of soldiers who died for their country. That’s the bitter part of this legacy. This weekend, 130 different national cemeteries will honor all who died in the service of the United States. That’s the bitter part of this bittersweet holiday.
On the other hand, the sweet part of Memorial Day is that we gather friends and family for joyful summer activities. We come together to rejoice for life in all manner of parties and activities.
It is a celebration of life. We enjoy the great outdoors which demonstrates our appreciation of the life won for us in the land of the free.
The Bittersweet Legacy of Memorial Day
There is room for both types of celebration, the bitter and the sweet. However, we regret that some people have completely forgotten the deeper meaning behind this holiday. We hope our ER Precision Optics blog readers will recognize the legacy of honor behind all the fun of a new summer day.
A Legacy of Flag-Flying Honor for Memorial Day
Did you know that there are special rules for flying the American Flag on Memorial Day? The Flag rules for this day are different than any other day of the year.
- On Memorial Day, we raise the flag briskly in the morning, but only to half-staff.
- At noon, we raise the flag to the full staff. There it remains until we take it down properly at sunset.
- Memorial Day is the only day of the year that observes both positions on the flagpole.
Many Americans will be flying flags as part of the legacy of honor for our fallen heroes. However, what if you are flying a flag from your porch where raising and lowering it is impossible?
In that case, you should “simply attach a black mourning streamer to the top…” if you are unable to raise and lower it. Here at ER Precision Optics, we have seen this custom very few times, but it has an honor all its own.
America Celebrates the New Outdoor Season: Freedom Bought with Sacrifice
Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of the summer season and Memorial Day reminds us of the freedom bought with the dearest sacrifice. Both give us the chance to celebrate life with our families and friends.
And certainly, celebrating with family and friends has become a vital part of Memorial Day. Here in Central Florida, we will see gatherings on riverbanks and getaways on our beaches.
A Legacy of Honor in Song: Memorial Day Commemorates Our Honored Military Dead
As we have done in previous years, we quote a song of patriotism from Lee Greenwood. Thus, we borrow his words to honor the legacy of the American military who gave up their lives.
“And I’m proud to be an American,
where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.”
A Legacy of Honor from ER Precision Optics
There will be parades, speeches, and commemorative ceremonies for our fallen military. And we will be proud of families who will place flowers on the graves of the people who died in battle.
We invite you to elevate your day of celebration by listening to the stories of patriotism, war, and heroism. Why not watch a patriotic movie after your picnic?
The Silent Moment of Remembrance
Have you ever heard of the Memorial Day moment of silence? It’s a legacy of honor celebrated in 60 seconds. “Every Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time, whether you’re at home, at a parade, or in the middle of a speech, please take a moment to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.”
For one full minute of honorable silence, “Americans everywhere should pause to remember all the men and women who died in service to our country.”
Take-Aways from Our Legacy of Honor, Memorial Day, 2023
As we previously said in 2022, In between the fun, friends, family, and food of this three-day weekend, our hearts should know that Memorial Day is really a time to remember our fallen soldiers. And here at ER Optics, we hope you remember that freedom does not come to us for free.
And finally, we close with the words of an unknown writer.
“Our flag does not fly
because the wind moves it.
It flies with the last breath of each soldier
who died protecting it.”