Memorial Day in Sterling Park, VA - a look back

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" - John 15:13

Park View High School Buglers' Chris O'Dell and Paul Rosenthal play taps at the Sterling American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony off Sterling Boulevard on Monday morning, May 25, 2009.

It takes many people and organizations to successfully conduct a local Memorial Day event presentation. From the local American Legion and VFW Posts to churches, boy scout troops and school buglers, all work together to make this event a special day for National Guard and other servicemen participating along with veterans from various wars.

On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.

The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

Please see Loudoun Times Mirror article from 2009 which best reflects what a community can do to honor those who gave their lives and to the living who continue to serve.

http://www.alpost150.org/sites/default/files/Captain%20Toland%20Gives%20Memorial%20Day%20Address%20Loudoun%20Times.pdf

Remember, some families may be grieving over recent losses of loved ones who’ve served in the military and some may be gripped with worry and fear that their loved ones won’t make it home. Be gracious, compassionate, loving, full of honor and respect for the sacrifices made by our soldiers and their families.

The final verse from the Star Spangled Banner:

Oh! Thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!

Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,

And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”

And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

- Francis Scott Key, 1814