This is a day of “re- member-ance” a special, federal, public holiday to remember why we have the freedom and liberty of our American way of life.
Better than any words I can express the meaning and significance of this day are the following words written by Robert G. Ingersoll:
“These heroes are dead. They died for liberty – they died for us.
They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free,
under the flag they rendered stainless,
under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines.
They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds,
careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest.
Earth may run red with other wars – they are at peace.
In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.
I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for the living; tears for the dead.”
It is a customary practice on this day that once was known as “Decoration Day” that millions of American go to the cemeteries to honor their own deceased relatives and friends.
It is also a day when millions of people attend a parade or a memorial ceremony in their local areas.
The thoughtful and most appreciative people in the surrounding communities of Seal Beach do celebrate this vitally important date by attending the Memorial Day Celebration at the Eisenhower Park at Ocean Boulevard on Monday, May 26, 2014, at 11 a.m.
Also, today is the 10th Anniversary of the “Military Veteran’s Plaque” that was mounted on a four-foot high concrete pedestal on the Seal Beach Pier. The Plaque was unveiled and dedicated at the Memorial Day Ceremony in May, 2004.
It was then presented as a gift to the City of Seal Beach from the American Legion Post 857 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4048.
The 36 x 32 inch bronze plaque was designed by World War Veteran Bill Thomas who is a Past Commander of both Veterans Posts. The Plaque concept came about with a great amount of discussion of ideas and comments, from many of the Posts’ members.
In lieu of all their discussion of designing and planning for a Veterans Memorial Park which would cost many hundreds of thousands of dollars, AND a few years for its construction, Thomas stated, “That’ll take too long… and many of our members will be dead by then.”
Thomas undertook the task of combining many of the comments into the design of the Plaque.
With the help of a local printer, Chuck Zetzmanof Printmasters in Los Alamitos, and the fabulous fund-raising participation of the Lions Club of Seal Beach; and the remarkable guidance of Bob Eagle, the park planning director of the City of Seal Beach, it was a great relief to receive the agreement and the blessings of the City Council. Much credit is appreciated by the owner who designed and donated the material to build the pedestal and mount the Plaque by him and his crew.
Much credit is appreciated by the owner who designed and donated the material to build the pedestal and mount the Plaque by him and his crew.
MILITARY VETERANS PLAQUE
In Commorization of ALL the
MILITARY VETERANS OF THE U. S. A.
of all the Past, Present and Future who served
in ALL branches of service since the Revolutionary War.
• MAP designates our sovereign country, AMERICA,
• STARS represent each of our 50 States,
• STRIPES indicates the 13 Original Colonies,
• BIG CIRCLE denotes the World in which we serve,
• Let’s remember and forever honor ALL Military Veterans
including our Prisoners-of-War, and the Missing-In-Action.
