ARTICLE
At this time of year as local government digs deep into their proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal years, I would focus this eNews article on the impact of budget cuts and revenue enhancers — new taxes or new fee increases to balance those city and county budgets. I will hold off on that conversation until we move past the Memorial Day Holiday. Memorial Day has different meanings to each of us. It is a sign of starting the summer season, kids getting out of school (or at least closing the end of hybrid schooling at home or part time at the school). The beginning of summer BBQs and increased outdoor activities. Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2021 will occur on Monday, May 31. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Memorial Day commemorates the women and men who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Today, there is some ambivalence about the celebration our women and men in the military — it is just another three-day holiday. However, for many families who have a long history as military families, it is special day that deserves reflection of the very presence of our freedom because of the highest sacrifice these women and men made for all of us. I was reading some historical perspectives about the meaning of Memorial Day and I ran across a humbling story about a Memorial Day essay contest for fifth through eighth graders in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The winning essay was by 8th grader Charlie Russo as he wrote, "Piercing white headstones lined up in perfect rows through Arlington Cemetery. That's what Memorial Day means to me. But each headstone is more than just a headstone. They all stand for something. They stand for courage, they stand for selflessness. And they tell a story: The story of a hero. Every story is unique. And every hero means something to someone. Today is the day we recognize those stories, and salute to the families of those heroes, for sacrificing what they love to make sure we stand where we stand today. That's what Memorial Day means to me.” That remarkable accounting draws us into the real meaning of Memorial Day. For decades, on the last Monday in May, Santa Cruzans join friends, neighbors, and local veterans at Evergreen Cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day. This observance usually features speakers, musical tributes, a rifle salute, and traditional flag folding. It is a special moment where our community can come together to honor and mourn the military personnel who gave their lives in service of our country. There are other Santa Cruz events on the long three-day weekend, but for as long as I can remember, spending time at the Boardwalk over the Memorial weekend was a family tradition. Years earlier when I was employed as a public servant (Chief of Staff to a US Congressman), my Memorial Day would be spent with veterans of the region, whether it was a community breakfast or a parade. It was a humbling experience as a young man who did not serve in our military to spend a day listening to military women and men recall their stories of service to our country. One particular moment that I recall is talking with a senior volunteer in our congressional office back in the 1990s. This community senior volunteer served as a master sergeant machine gunner on a US Army aircraft during WWII. His vivid memories of a battle in the air over the Japanese territories sent shivers up the back of my spine. He said one of his partner machine gunners (one was in mid-plane and the other the back gunner) was hit and lost his vision but survived as they took down a Japanese war plane. It was one of many battles he described. As the lengthy story slowly came to a close, I could see his emotions coming forward with tears in his eyes as if the battle was being relived in his mind. The great sacrifice of giving a life protecting America’s freedom -- something we so often take for granted -- is brought to mind every time I recall this story. Master Sergeant Willis passed away a couple years ago at the age of 98. I asked him once if I could share his story and dedicate Memorial Day to him and his Army colleagues. He said, no and stated, “Casey, I was just doing my duty to serve our country and defeat the enemy. I did my part and would honorably serve again if called to duty.” As you start your Memorial Day weekend and if you see a veteran, make sure you say “Thank You for your service to our country.” Enjoy the holiday.
At this time of year as local government digs deep into their proposed budgets for the upcoming fiscal years, I would focus this eNews article on the impact of budget cuts and revenue enhancers — new taxes or new fee increases to balance those city and county budgets. I will hold off on that conversation until we move past the Memorial Day Holiday.
Memorial Day has different meanings to each of us. It is a sign of starting the summer season, kids getting out of school (or at least closing the end of hybrid schooling at home or part time at the school). The beginning of summer BBQs and increased outdoor activities. Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2021 will occur on Monday, May 31. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Memorial Day commemorates the women and men who died while in the military service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. In other words, the purpose of Memorial Day is to memorialize the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Today, there is some ambivalence about the celebration our women and men in the military — it is just another three-day holiday. However, for many families who have a long history as military families, it is special day that deserves reflection of the very presence of our freedom because of the highest sacrifice these women and men made for all of us. I was reading some historical perspectives about the meaning of Memorial Day and I ran across a humbling story about a Memorial Day essay contest for fifth through eighth graders in Bradford, Pennsylvania. The winning essay was by 8th grader Charlie Russo as he wrote, "Piercing white headstones lined up in perfect rows through Arlington Cemetery. That's what Memorial Day means to me. But each headstone is more than just a headstone. They all stand for something. They stand for courage, they stand for selflessness. And they tell a story: The story of a hero. Every story is unique. And every hero means something to someone. Today is the day we recognize those stories, and salute to the families of those heroes, for sacrificing what they love to make sure we stand where we stand today. That's what Memorial Day means to me.”
That remarkable accounting draws us into the real meaning of Memorial Day. For decades, on the last Monday in May, Santa Cruzans join friends, neighbors, and local veterans at Evergreen Cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day. This observance usually features speakers, musical tributes, a rifle salute, and traditional flag folding. It is a special moment where our community can come together to honor and mourn the military personnel who gave their lives in service of our country. There are other Santa Cruz events on the long three-day weekend, but for as long as I can remember, spending time at the Boardwalk over the Memorial weekend was a family tradition.
Years earlier when I was employed as a public servant (Chief of Staff to a US Congressman), my Memorial Day would be spent with veterans of the region, whether it was a community breakfast or a parade. It was a humbling experience as a young man who did not serve in our military to spend a day listening to military women and men recall their stories of service to our country. One particular moment that I recall is talking with a senior volunteer in our congressional office back in the 1990s. This community senior volunteer served as a master sergeant machine gunner on a US Army aircraft during WWII. His vivid memories of a battle in the air over the Japanese territories sent shivers up the back of my spine. He said one of his partner machine gunners (one was in mid-plane and the other the back gunner) was hit and lost his vision but survived as they took down a Japanese war plane. It was one of many battles he described. As the lengthy story slowly came to a close, I could see his emotions coming forward with tears in his eyes as if the battle was being relived in his mind.
The great sacrifice of giving a life protecting America’s freedom -- something we so often take for granted -- is brought to mind every time I recall this story. Master Sergeant Willis passed away a couple years ago at the age of 98. I asked him once if I could share his story and dedicate Memorial Day to him and his Army colleagues. He said, no and stated, “Casey, I was just doing my duty to serve our country and defeat the enemy. I did my part and would honorably serve again if called to duty.” As you start your Memorial Day weekend and if you see a veteran, make sure you say “Thank You for your service to our country.” Enjoy the holiday.