As of Saturday, May 29, members of the United States military who have given their lives in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan reached the 1,000 mark.  The 1,000th was a 24-year old Marine who had begged to be returned to the front lines after recuperating from a bomb blast incurred while serving in Iraq.  He stepped on a land mine in Helmand province less than a month into his second tour.  Marine Corporal Jacob C. Leicht gave the ultimate sacrifice – he gave his all in service to our great nation.  And as the numbers indicate, he is not alone.  At least 4,400 members of the US military have died in the Iraq war since 2003.

Memorial Day was established to honor those who died in service to the United States of America and as a nation to come together and pay tribute to the men and women who gave their all.  But the initial intention of Memorial Day has become diluted over the years.  This appears to have happened about the time that Congress changed the date from “May 30″ to “the last Monday in May” in order to afford everyone a three-day weekend.  Memorial Day has now become a day to remember anyone who has passed away, not just those who have fallen defending our freedom.

In an effort to restore awareness and reverence to the Memorial Day holiday, Congress enacted the National Moment of Remembrance in 2000.  This program encourages all Americans to pause for one minute at 3:00pm local time to remember and to reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all.  While you wait for the Moment of Remembrance, take the time to look over the names of our fallen because “each name of the fallen is engraved on our hearts.”

But a “moment” just isn’t long enough. On this Memorial Day 2010, and everyday between now and the next Memorial Day, honor the memory of the those who served so that you can live in the “land of the free and the home of brave.”

“O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who  more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life.
America, America
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine.”

Tags: heroes, Memorial Day