 Memorial Day 2007
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On Sunday, May 27th 2007, through the effort of Rose Moldenhauer, our parish
nurse, you were greeted by a red/white and blue memorial display of some of our Church members who served our country in the
Armed Services. Three of those people are featured on this page, served during World War II, Vietnam, and with God's
grace, survived to tell their story. Hopefully you met them and shook their hand today and thanked them for protecting our
fathers, mothers and even some of us during that event, in which they risked their lives in service to each of us and
our country.
Memorial Day is arguably the single most important, non religious, holiday we celebrate as Americans and includes the sacrifice men made in service to our country and fellow man back to achieving our country's independence in 1776. So, July 4th, Independence Day is a grand celebration, but along with that moment we must remember those who died to make it possible. This is what Memorial Day is about, not glorifying war, but remembering and honoring those who have served and those who serve today. Hopefully, all parents will bring their children to some event or historical/military memorial, such as displayed at our own Church this Sunday, to learn why this day is so important. Take the time to ask these Veterans in our midst what it meant to them to serve their country and express your appreciation to their commitment. We have, locally, many places to view and observe monuments and moments in remembrance of our military personnel. The USS Midway is a WWII era Navy Aircraft Carrier and is berthed as a museum in San Diego Harbor. The Mount Soledad Cross above La Jolla. Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, located on Point Loma, was established in 1934 and today honors over 86,000 veterans and dependents who are interred there. We honor our fallen each week during Sunday services and pray for the salvation of their soles (the deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ). A moment of reflection in the midst of Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is a humbling experience you will never forget. Today, Rose Moldenhauer brought you face to face with these three Veterans of the United States of America. Please honor them as the heroes they are to each of us and if you did not already, please acknowledge each of them the next time you see them. Each of us owes our freedom and a debt of gratitude to all U.S. Servicemen, past and present. Please call Rose at ext-24 for information on the "Operation Homefront" program. There are many small things you can do to support our troops and the families they leave behind. Our Veterans pictured here, with Rose first on the left, then to the right are: Eleanor Disselhorst (Trudy) Served in the US Army during World War II as a 1st Lt. Army Nurse from 1944 to 1946. Byron Disselhorst Served in the US Army during World War II as a corporal from 1943 to 1945. Was assigned to the infantry and sent to Europe. Was captured in Germany and spent time as a POW. Also served in the US Air Force Reserve achieving the rank of Captain from 1951 to 1962. William F. Miller USN 1968-1972 Vietnam USS Midway CVA-41 Aviation Electrician Second Class It might be quite interesting to hear a story from William Miller before going to tour the USS Midway! If you make a trip to Germany or Austria, Byron Disselhorst may offer a brief history lesson about that period of development in those countries.
If you Google-search for Memorial Day Origins, you will find a link to About.com, one
of many results displayed.The following is excerpted from the information on the About.com site and is only the first
paragraph.
'Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of former Union soldiers and sailors - the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) - established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The cemetery already held the remains of 20,000 Union dead and several hundred Confederate dead.' |
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