Memorial Day

In Honor and Remembrance

Howard William Osterkamp from Dent, Ohio, was a Korean War veteran and Purple Heart recipient who is attributed with the phrase:

"All gave some, some gave all."

"All gave some" acknowledges that every man and woman who serve or have served in the military contributed in some way, whether through time, effort, or personal sacrifice.

"Some gave all" honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in service to their country.

Memorial Day is one of the most widely observed federal holidays observed in the U.S. and is a solemn remembrance of those who died while servicing in the United States Armed Forces. It started in 1868 as Decoration Day in honor of Union soldiers who died in the Civil War and was expanded after World War I to honor all U.S. Military personnel who died in any war. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, moving the observance to the last Monday of May. In 1971, it became an official federal holiday named Memorial Day.

I read a great poem by Amy Hrynchuk that epitomizes the spirit of the ultimate sacrifice our men and women who died supporting our way of life:

“Their Sacrifice, Our Freedom”

They left their homes, their lives, their dreams,

To fight beneath the nation’s beams.

With courage bright, they faced the fray,

And kept our darkest fears at bay.

The world stands free because they fought,

Their sacrifice was never bought.

We hold their memory, strong and true,

In skies so vast, in morning’s dew.

So as the flag waves high above,

We honor them with endless love.

My personal thanks to those that serve and have served in support of the freedoms we enjoy as a nation today. And for friends and family members who lost loved ones defending our country, know that you are in our hearts and prayers.