“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.” — Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address
What is Memorial Day? What are we remembering?
Established in 1868, Memorial Day–click here for more quotes– was initially founded in remembrance of Confederate and Union soldiers who perished in the Civil War. In the decades since, the holiday, which is also referred to as “Decoration Day,” has come to represent all Americans lost in war.
In the Caruso/Pankiewicz family, Memorial Day has been a time to remember loved ones with flowers, flags and mementos placed at their gravesite. Especially in times when we had the bandwidth. In other times we do the best that we can and take that time to spend with those we love.
It started with us marking the parade route.
Then we made it home in time to watch the run portion of Evoke’s MURPH and give a little support for the last 100 meters. What is Murph? Who is Murph? How did this come to be? For more about Navy Lt. Michael Murphy and his official citation for his Medal of Honor.
This is our first Memorial Day in Aspinwall since the time Crosby and Reba were here for the Parade.
As of 10:21 the Air Force Reserves refueling jet just performed it’s first flyover for the day over Aspinwall. It’s not quite the Blue Angels, but it definitely makes a large presence when that Boeing flies so low. 11:00 was the second flyover.
Let’s talk about some of the issues that we need to remain vigilant against. While Memorial Day in the United States started after the Civil War, Europe celebrates a similar type of day on May 8. The Great World War that was fought all over the continent came to an end on May 8, 1945 and is celebrated as Victory in Europe Day.
Be willing to talk about where we are as a world today and openly share viewpoints of the current wars against humans going on in across international borders in Israel, Palestine, Ukraine.
But not forget about the in country armed conflicts of Africa: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, Asia has internal armed conflicts in Afghanistan, India, Myanmar, Pakistan and The Philippines. Two international armed conflicts – between respectively India and Pakistan, and between India and China – are also taking place in the region.
The following military occupations constitute the majority of armed conflicts that are taking place in Europe, four out of seven conflicts: Russia is currently occupying Crimea (Ukraine), Transdniestria (Moldova), as well as South Ossetia and Abkhazia (Georgia), while Armenia is occupying parts of Nagorno Karabakh (Azerbaijan). Europe is also the theatre of an international armed conflict (IAC) between Ukraine and Russia, and of two non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) in Ukraine opposing governmental forces with the self-proclaimed ‘People’s Republics’ of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
Then in LATIN AMERICA: SIX ARMED CONFLICTS are currently being watched.
The six non-international armed conflicts that are taking place in the region are split evenly between Mexico and Colombia. Mexico’s cartels are at the center of the conflicts.
Here’s to Elle spending a wet Memorial Day once upon a time in Aspinwall.