Patriotic Holidays

These have always been a very special occasion for our family. When we were kids, it was a time for family fun, and remembering those who had made our Freedom possible. Our Dad had come to this country when he was a boy, but he grew up being very patriotic. He wanted to join the Navy during World War I, but was too "skinny". When World War II broke out, he was too old, but he was well trained in a profession that was most beneficial to the War Effort.
Dad always flew the flag at these times. We all were raised to respect the flag and to remember those who had served in the various branches of Military Service.
That may have been why both my brothers were eager to join up when they were of the right age. Ralph had to wait because he was employeed in the Aircraft Industry. He took deferment until he couldn't stand it any longer, then he enlisted without permission from his boss. Too bad, it was what Ralph wanted, so he was off. Ronald had to wait until he graduted from High School, but he didn't waste time once that was accomplished.
What did we do when we were kids on these Holidays? We usually had family days. Picnics, hikes and just lounging around. I do remember we were pretty eager to get out an array of red, white and blue to wear. Something I still do to this day. Pretty spiffy too I must say. I have been kidded about it at times, but you know, that doesn't bother me in the least. Being Patriotic is just part of who I am. Wouldn't change it either.
Mothers family have a list of Veterans who have fought in various conflicts over the years. Both her Grand Fathers fought on the Union side of the Civil War. Others down the line were in the Revolutionary War. Then there were those who had crossed the Ocean in pursuit of Religous Freedom in a New World. So the family has a good deal of reasons for being Patriotic it seems to me. Something to be proud of. I wish more young people took the time to know how their family fits into the History of this Great Country.
I guess over the years we don't spend the time going over that kind of History, Family History that is, that help the youngsters realize they are more than Pioneer Children - Latter-day Saint Pioneers that is. Naturally we want them to be proud of what their fore bearers have endured to help make America Great. Winding a way from the East to the West was a wonderous accomplishment. Being part of expanding, or should I say, the movement that expanded the United States to the Pacific Ocean was both costly and exceptional in its scope. This has been followed over the years with other great sacrifices made by Pioneer relations.
As the Scriptures so clearly tell us: "where much is given, much is required." All of us have reason at times like these to recall, remember and appreciate the things that have been given us; the Liberty and Freedom that we enjoy. "Nothing comes for nothing". Someone has to have put up a defense of correct principles and the rights of freemen to be able to live in security. Families need to take pride in those who have filled the shoes of the Patriots in founding this country and the Bleeding feet that marched in war, peace and discovery of this Country we call Home.
I am not so sure there are enough Holidays set aside each year to do so. We have so very much to be Thankful for, and so many who have paid an exacting price for what we enjoy. I wonder if any of us, today, would have the stamina to go through what those faithful people did, in each of their times and seasons? Would I have been capable of letting my young sons leave home to fight a superior British Army to bring about the United States of American, which was just 13 Colonies at the time? Could I have endured the Frontier days, rough living in rough times. Of course I doubt those people knew anything else, so it might not have been as trying as it appears to me today with all the modern transportation, etc we enjoy now. I can think back when Jay was in Korea and I waited in tears when I didn't get a letter every week. Back in Revolutionary
Times, they were lucky to hear at all. If they did the price paid from either end was pretty expensive. Just that alone is scary to me. Candles for light, water had to be carried in, from sometimes long distances. Washing done in tubs over open fires in the yard. If you didn't raise it, hunt it, or preserve it, you didn't have it. One dress, if your lucky maybe two aprons. No showers, no bath tubs. Unbelievable what some of our Ancestors endured to bring this world we enjoy today into being. Not to mention us.
Yes, these Holidays seem to start the old brain searching for a good reason to allow some folks to think spending their time making fools out of themselves is what it is all about. Packing up the Family and heading out to some campsite where they "rough" it for a couple of days with the ice chest filled with beer and wine. Not what the Founding Fathers were working for, do you think? Once we had celebrated a Holy Sabbath, then it was the Sabbath, then Sunday, then the Week-end. Now we can surely see it has been turned into the WEAKEST-end.
Signs of the times I guess. All the more reason for those of us who can still remember what the Holiday stands for, and celebrate it by remembering those who have "paid the price" for the time given to celebrate. May we - today, and everyday, remember, even if for just a very short time, those who have loved and given their time and sometimes their very lives in securing the rights we enjoy. We owe so many to so much. Years pass, memories fade, but the benefits are living on, and we need to pay respect to those who left this to us. May we so do, I pray!

Written this 29th Day of May 2010
by: Eileen C Rosenberg