Many of us have forgotten the true meaning of Memorial Day and think of it as a three-day weekend and the start of our summer season. We open our houses at the shore, hold backyard barbecues, go on picnics, play softball and generally enjoy the warming weather and our recreational green spaces.
Memorial Day is, however, the time set aside to honor those who have died in the service of this country during wartime. The number of parades in our communities has dwindled down - through lack of interest and effort - to a precious few.
Many of us do not even know the proper flag etiquette - on Memorial Day it is to be flown at half-staff, the flag should first be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. Furthermore, on Memorial Day the flag is to be displayed at half-staff only until noon and then raised to the top of the staff.
As we watched the Memorial Day Parades in Queens this past weekend, we were entertained by the bands. We watched as soldiers carried the colors - flags of the Nation, the State and the City. Floats reminded us of our Prisoners of War. Military vehicles drove by and units of soldiers marched in formation to our children’s delight.
We watched and applauded the older veterans, squeezed into their original uniforms - adorned with the medals and ribbons they earned while in service defending our land - as they marched in our local parades.
We listened to patriotic music and speeches from politicians and generals alike. Some of us felt our chests swell with pride at this once-a-year display of patriotism and remembrance.
Our real job this past weekend was to uphold the tradition of honoring our fallen heroes, our war dead. They are the men and women who never came home from the battle to keep our democracy strong and freedom alive.
We solemnly ask you to take a moment now and read the names of the fallen from Queens in the current war in Iraq and to say a prayer for every one of them - they died so that we may continue to live free.
Marlon A. Bustamante Corona Specialist February 1, 2006
Jose Gomez Corona Sergeant April 28, 2006
Roger G. Ling Douglaston Specialist February 19, 2004
Azhar Ali Flushing Specialist March 2, 2005
Michael V. Postal Glen Oaks Lance Corporal May 7, 2005
James D. McNaughton Middle Village Staff Sergeant August 2, 2005
Jeffrey Lam Queens Lance Corporal November 8, 2004
Wai Pyoe Lwin Queens Specialist March 2, 2005
Robert Marcus Rodriguez Queens Corporal March 27, 2003
Hernando Rios Queens Private 1st Class August 8, 2005
Regilio E. Nelom Queens Staff Sergeant September 17, 2005
Francis C. Obaji Queens Village Private 1st Class January 17, 2005
James E. Prevete Whitestone Private 1st Class October 10, 2004
