What special meaning and significance does the Memorial Day weekend hold for people would probably depend on who you asked. Surely, it signals what many consider the unofficial start to the summer season. Weather permitting, folks look forward to it as a time to maybe get away for the long weekend on a trip to the beach or the mountains. Back yard family barbecues and cookouts are always popular as are gatherings with friends for parties etc. Perhaps you’ll stay local and relax at home and catch a game or two on TV and enjoy that much deserved extra day off on Monday.
To a lot of South Bostonians, it could be one or more of the above. To us, and people who live in other traditional and, what most would consider, patriotic communities around the country, it means all of the above yes, but something else as well. It means something far more important than our own personal creature comforts and fun.
Memorial Day is set aside to remember and to honor America’s heroes, who served in our country’s armed forces and put their lives on the line and often lost those lives, so that all of us could enjoy the freedom and liberty that our Nation’s Founding Fathers envisioned for us, when they drew up that amazing document called the Constitution of the United States.
South Boston has many sons and daughters, who never returned from fighting our country’s battles. On a per capita scale, there may not be another community anywhere that had more. Many people will this weekend make that solemn journey to a cemetery, where a family member is buried and place a wreath or some flowers at a grave site. Others will attend a special Church Service, proudly display Old Glory or attend a Memorial Day dedication or parade.
All the other activities that come with warm weather and sunshine are part of the tradition as well. But as Americans, at least in the opinion of South Bostonians, remembering and honoring our veterans, especially those who are no longer among us, should always remain the most important reason for this holiday. We owe it to those heroes to never forget the sacrifices made on our behalf. It makes us proud that so many of our neighbors never have and never will forget.
Traditional South Boston Memorial Day Ceremonies
This year, as is the case every year on Memorial Day members of our local Veteran’s Posts will be out and about during the weekend placing wreaths at all the memorial squares that have been named in honor of the fallen. This is a combined effort of the Saunders Post, the Fitzgerald Post, the McDonough Post and the Perkins Post. These active members will be working hard to make sure that every memorial square is remembered.
Memorial Day at the Thomas Fitzgerald Post: On Memorial Day itself, this Monday, the public is invited to join with local veterans as they gather at the Fitzgerald Post on East Fourth Street. They will assemble at 9 am and march to Medal of Honor Park at M Street where they will place the ceremonial wreath at the South Boston Vietnam Memorial. Then it’s back to the post for brunch. All are invited and welcome.
