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Memorial Weekend 2004: Thoughts Of Home

Yesterday — Proud to Have Served Today — Prepared to Protect Tommorrow — Participating in a Promising Future

by Esther J. Perne

Flags flying . . . too often at half mast; yellow ribbons fluttering . . . too seldom taken down; flowers decorating cemeteries . . . some on graves all too new; and traditions of time off to enjoy the season and the region and to thank those who serve our country. . . .

Memorial Weekend heralds a turning of the seasons, a return to the region, and a renewal, a homecoming, for the simple, sane, safe lifestyle traditions of summer: outdoor activities, family gatherings, the opening of lakeside businesses and camps, and recreation on the waterways.

Traditional, too, are the ceremonies and observances by communities and veterans groups to honor all who have served and are serving our country. Parades, military pageantry, keynote presentations, and participation of local youth and home front guardians all share the protocol.

But there is more. There is pride, portrayed by our veterans, a representation of Maine's 154,000, who sponsor, organize, and are honored guests at most of the services.

There is patriotism, with flags and flowers decorating gravesites from tiny roadside plots to the vast acres of the Maine Veterans Cemeteries in Augusta where families travel statewide to place floral arrangements in an array so moving, so loving and lavish there is remembrance to spare — perhaps for those graves unvisited and bare on this important day.

Finally, there is concern and caring for Maine's sons and daughters currently in service . . . and for their families, especially children, even babies whose fathers and mothers — and sometimes both — are in Iraq. From among us, nationwide and most importantly from Maine, there are those fighting, working, rebuilding on the other side of the world who truly long for what we have this weekend — for the ordinariness of home, the humdrum of the small town, the simple yet sincere ceremonies of the holiday, and of course for their friends and families, our beautiful, peaceful region, and yes, for hot dogs and ice cream.

As the traditions of summer and of Memorial Day intertwine, it is the former — those wonderful, carefree, holiday outings and indulgences that can wait — and will — for the small investment of time that it takes to listen to a school band rendition, be silent for the laying of a wreath, drive through our Veterans Cemetery, or applaud the spouses, children, sweethearts, parents, and family whose loved ones' thoughts are of home. How better to show the sons and daughters of Maine whose thoughts are of home that . . . our thoughts are of you.

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