A Memorial Day Veteran’s Message: By Stephen Melcher

Memorial Day, Monday 30 May 2011

By Stephen R. Melcher

Shakespeare wrote of the bond between warriors in Henry the Fifth. “We few…we happy few…we band of brothers. For he that shed his blood with me, shall be my brother.”

More than one million American service members have died in wars that our nation has been involved in since the first colonial soldiers took up arms in 1775.

Many of them died protecting one another, but they served so that we could keep the things that we love the most – God, Country and Family. By remaining true to these principles, we honor their sacrifice.

Observances like this are happening in communities across America, but there can never be too many of them.

The first Memorial Day was not called Memorial Day. It is believed to have been celebrated with a parade of freed slaves and Union soldiers marching through Charleston, South Carolina in 1865.

Waterloo, New York, is considered the official birthplace of Memorial Day because after it was observed there on May 5, 1866, General John Murray and General John A. Logan called on all communities to honor the war dead every year.

Logan had been impressed with how the South had honored the fallen Confederate soldiers for years. In1868, Logan, the head of the prominent veterans group, the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a proclamation that “Decoration Day,” should be observed nationwide. The date was May 30th – specifically because it was not on the anniversary of a major battle.

Still, many communities did not observe “Decoration Day” because of lingering resentments from the Civil War.

The alternative name, “Memorial Day,” wasn’t commonly used until after World War II. Federal law recognized the holiday as “Memorial Day” in 1967. As the unofficial beginning of summer, we must never lose focus of what Memorial Day means. It’s not about beaches, picnics or auto races. It is a day to remember.

Remembering our fallen once a year is not enough. The widows, widowers, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and children remember EVERYDAY.

Whether one fought in World War II, Korea, the jungles of Vietnam, the Middle East or elsewhere, the stories of American heroism and sacrifice continue to resonate.

All Americans need to pause to reflect on, remember and give thanks to our many heroes. We owe them no less.

God bless our veterans, our fallen and God Bless America.

Memorial Day Program 2011

COUNCIL OF VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS
MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE 2011

COMMANDER OF VETERANS ORGANIZATION
Stephen Melcher……………………………………………………Commander

ADJUTANT VETERANS COUNCIL
Jim Kothe……………………………………………………………Secretary

QUARTERMASTER VETERANS COUNCIL
Paul DuPont…………………………………………………………Treasurer

MEMBER VETERANS COUNCIL
Vincent (Joe) Misuraca………………………………………………Program Chairman

The following was appointed to act as Producer of the Spanish American War Veterans Camp Ground Ceremony.

William Mitchell, Retired Veterans Memorial Club ……………… Commander

ALEXANDER MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY
Monday, May 30, 2011 – 9:00 a.m.
VFW 1114

CENTENARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
14340 Old State Road, Evansville, IN 47725
(812) 867-3920
Sunday, May 29, 2011 – 10:40 AM

SALEM CEMETERY
CAMP GROUND ROAD
Sunday, May 29, 2011 – 2:00 PM
Retired Veterans Memorial Club

McCUTCHANVILLE CEMETERY
Sunday, May 29, 2011 – 11:45 AM
McCutchanville Community Church

OAK HILL CEMETERY
Monday, May 30, 2011 – 11:00 AM
Funkhouser Post No. 8 The American Legion

LYLES CEMETERY
RED BANK AND NURRENBERN ROAD
Monday, May 30, 2011 – 10:00 AM
Otis Stone American Legion Post #354

PARK LAWN CEMETERY
Monday, May 30, 2011 – 10:30 AM
American Legion Eugene Pate Post #265

TUPMAN CEMETERY
Monday, May 30, 2011 – 1:00 PM
Amvets Post #84

LOCUST HILL CEMETERY
Monday, May 30, 2011 – 10::00 AM

JAMES GRESHAM CHAPTER No. 7
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

EVERETTE BURDETTE POST #187
AMERICAN LEGION

MEMORIAL DAY AGENDA
Sunday, May 29, 2011
ZION CHURCH SERVICES

Member Service…………………………………………….Zion Cemetery
Member Service…………………………………………… Barnett Cemetery
Member Service……………………………………………North View Cemetery
Member Service…………………………………………….Nobles Chapel Cemetery
Member Service……………………………………………Susott Cemetery
Member Service…………………………………..At Lot on 1st & Main to Honor All

AMERICAN LEGION POST 351
Elberfeld, Indiana 47613
Monday, May 30, 2011

Posey County V.F.W. Post No. 6575 & Auxiliary
Monday, May 30, 2011 at the following Cemeteries:
St. Joseph Cemetery (Vanderburgh County) 8:15 AM
St. Wendel Cemetery 9:00 AM
Liberty Cemetery in Cynthiana 10:15 AM
Veterans Memorial in Poseyville 11:00 AM
Laurel Hill Cemetery in Wadesville 11:45 AM

SUNSET MEMORIAL GARDENS CEMETERY
Monday, May 30, 2011 – 10:00 AM
VFW Post 2953

BLUE GRASS CEMETERY
Cemetery Road
Sunday, May 29, 2011 – 10:00 AM at the Cemetery

(As per General Logan’s General Order #11, a red carnation has been placed on each Veteran’s grave at Blue Grass Cemetery).

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Veterans Memorial Coliseum fundraising events

The Veterans Council of Vanderburgh County, Inc. is embarking on a fund raising campaign for a new 35’ flag pole, solar lighting, and landscaping. After researching the costs, we have set a budget of $5000 to complete this project. The flagpole will be placed in front of the Coliseum on the southwest corner of the building.

We are seeking sponsors and any donations we can get. Those businesses, organizations and individuals who become a sponsor will be recognized on a plaque of marble stone as part of the landscaping around the flagpole. All donations will be recognized and appreciated. Donations are tax deductible.

Sponsorships
Gold Sponsors $1000 — Silver Sponsors $500 — Bronze Sponsor $250

Please make checks payable to the Veterans Council and mailed to:
PO Box 3764, Evansville IN, 47708.

Mark your calendars every Friday night: The Veterans Memorial Coliseum will host a Bingo, the doors open at 4:00pm games start at 6:00pm.

Stephen R Melcher
Commander Vanderburgh County Veterans Council
US Army Veteran
Sgt First Class E-7
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