Memorial Day, Remembering Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Most of us think of Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer.
We often celebrate with barbecues and picnics, and on a hot day heading out to the beach.
However we must never forget that Memorial Day is really a day for remembering and honoring the brave who have fallen and made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day where they often will leave flowers on gravesites, honoring those women and men who gave their lives in military service.
On this Memorial Day, I decided to visit the 9/11 memorial site.
Memorial Day at 9/11 Memorial
It was a gorgeous day weather-wise in NYC.
We took full advantage by enjoying the day.
But I wanted to do more and pay homage in a meaningful way.
I reached the 9/11 Memorial during the early evening.
Soon I realized that these reflecting pools were the footprints of the once formidable Twin Towers that were befallen on this most infamous day in history.
Upon reaching the Memorial, I was quickly confronted with the realization I was standing upon this hallowed burial ground, staring at 2996 etched names.
These were arresting visions of the 9/11 victim’s family names etched in the onyx marble surrounding the pools, and I soon remembered vivid stories of this human tragedy from the past which once brought out moments of heart-wrenching sadness.
I thought to myself, how fitting of a parallel this 9/11 requiem was to those brave men and women of the US military who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
The Survivor Tree
Then I turned to the east, and noticed seeing the “Survivor Tree” a symbol of hope. This was a living form recovered from the original site and transplanted, that against all odds survived our most unspeakable tragedy.
I was simply in awe of this amazing living thing.
Gathering myself together, I quickly picked myself up, now with an even deeper understanding and empathy of the meaning of Memorial Day.
I swiftly left the site through Oculus, boarded the A train and was soon home.
Kaju
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Thanks for the post Kaju, I remember that day like it was yesterday. I had just stepped out my patrol car to pump gas, when, I heard the news of the first attack on the FM radio.
As I got back in my patrol car the police radio broadcasted the events and then the entire police department started to prepare for the worst. At that moment we all thought we would be attacked.
My assignment that day, which ended up to be about 16 hours, turned out to be assisting with crowd and traffic control at the local American Red Cross station where hundreds of people turned out to give blood.
Cal
Thank You Cal. It was a day we will never forget, one of those watershed moments in history, where almost all of us remember exactly what we were doing:)
God Bless the First Responders, and we Pray for all of the Fallen.
May this unspeakable attack never happen on our soil again.
We Shall Never Forget.
Always love your photos Kaju. They are a great illustration of the meaning of Memorial Day.
Another amazing truth is the that Memorial day was initially a day to remember those who died in the Civil war; where Americans fought against Americans. Always hoping that we as a nation will never again fight each other.
Thanks again for sharing.
Ray
Thank You for the education here Ray, you are completely right. Let's hope we never fight against each other ever again.
Always appreciate your comments, and glad you like the photos.
Kaju
Kaju,
That is a beautiful tribute. I hope one day to visit Ground Zero and pay my respects as well. May we always remember and never forget.
Chris from Texas
Thanks for sharing, Kaju. I will never forget as I was near enough to hear the hit on the Pentagon plus see the rain of debris.
Thank You Glen. OMG , so glad you are here. WE all have precious 9/11 stories we can share, I was here in NYC when the planes hit.
I was running a public library in a small town in Colorado. Considered closing the library that day but decided to open as usual and tell the staff to feel free to talk about whatever they wanted with the people who came in. I put a big box of tissues on the front counter.
That was a wise decision Rosana and also offered catharsis for people who needed to speak out:)
Nice blog friend and I always know how much the 9/11 Memorial Site gets to you when you are there. Yesterday would have been no different. This was a very moving blog and the pictures are really excellent. xxx
Thank You my friend, always happy to see you on my blogs. And especially even more meaningful when I see you on my Memorial blogs (9/11, Memorial Day, etc..)
I'm glad you liked the photos Jessica, and let's use Memorial Day to remember and honor those important things.
Kaju
Thanks so much again Jessica:) Check out our great Tokyo story as well as my Efren Reyes match win video play by play:)
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Kaju
lest we forget. I was at the towers just a few days before the event before flying back to Aus. how different life could have been
peter h
Thank You Peter, I know of many people who had near misses at the Towers that infamous day like yourself. Glad you are here with us.
I wanted to use this Memorial Day as a way for us to honor the ou rfallen Troops, the Victims of 9/11, and the important things we need to remember and honor.
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Thanks for the meaningful message,
and for the beautiful pictures of the memorial.
I was actually on a jetway ready to board a plane when we were suddenly herded back to the terminal. All the luggage was in a roped off area being sniffed by dogs. We were instructed to pick up our bags and leave the building. None of the TVs were on, so it wasn’t until I was back in my car for the drive home that I heard on the radio what had happened, and why all flights were cancelled. An eerie experience to be sure.
KyleAnn
Thank You for your wonderful thoughts Kyle Ann, one thing we all share in common: almost all of us can remember exactly where we were, and what we were doing when those planes hit on that unspeakable day.
Such a surreal tragedy, may We Never Forget.
God Bless the First Responders, and the Heroic Men and Women who saved countless others.
May we Never Forget the Fallen.
Blessings,
Kaju
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