{"id":2450,"date":"2016-05-30T00:01:45","date_gmt":"2016-05-30T04:01:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dansdigitaldive.com\/web\/?p=2450"},"modified":"2016-06-02T08:01:49","modified_gmt":"2016-06-02T12:01:49","slug":"memorial-day-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dansdigitaldive.com\/web\/archives\/2450","title":{"rendered":"Memorial Day, 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Memorial
Let us pause, and reflect.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Today we find ourselves honoring our fallen heroes, and rightfully so. On the last Monday of May, this great assimilation of cultures, personalities, and beliefs pauses to remember those who have died to give us, the living, the freedoms we enjoy (and take for granted) today.<\/p>\n

Memorial Day, as we know it, hasn’t always been the federal holiday that it is now.\u00a0 It was born in the aftermath of the “War Between the States<\/a>.” The first official day of remembrance, May 5, 1866; was held in Waterloo, NY.\u00a0 Businesses closed and the town’s residents decorated the graves of soldiers.\u00a0 I invite each of you to read a history of Memorial day<\/a>, via the History Channel’s website. Memorial Day wouldn’t be complete without a word about taps. \u00a0Taps is played at virtually every military funeral. \u00a0There is a fantastic write up (written in 2012, for the 150th anniversary of the tune) in the Milwaukee Sentinel<\/a> by Meg Jones. \u00a0The history channel has a good YouTube video on the history of Taps<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My personal favorite part of Memorial Day comes at 3:00 p.m. local time.\u00a0 3:00 p.m. is a time of personal reflection.<\/strong>\u00a0 A moment to pause and remember those who have had their lives cut short in service of this great land, we call, America.<\/p>\n

On this day, let’s reflect on what is a Hero?\u00a0 The dictionary defines a hero as someone who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.\u00a0 And what about the tern Heroism?\u00a0 Heroism is defined as putting others first<\/a>.\u00a0 Ok, it may not be the dictionary definition; but I like it, and this is my blog.<\/p>\n

These definitions do not fit every soldier, sailor, airman, and marine.<\/p>\n

I am of the opinion that the term “Hero” is overused and its overuse dilutes the sacrifice of those who have died in service to this great land.\u00a0 Today, it’s in vogue to call everyone in the military a hero.\u00a0 \u00a0Hero’s are those that go Above and Beyond<\/em>.\u00a0 Let’s face the facts; I am not a hero.\u00a0 I am a veteran, a very proud<\/em><\/span> veteran.\u00a0 I have served my country, with pride and distinction; but a HERO (with a capital H), I am not.<\/p>\n