Amid the wars and uncertainties in other countries, the US is still experiencing peace and safety-all because of the sacrifices of the military. Some of them are still battling for the country's security. Unfortunately, others, no matter how brave they've fought, have eventually captured and embraced by death.
To pay tribute to those who have died in reverence to the service they offered towards the nation, Vice President Mike Pence recently attended a ceremony held at the Arlington National Cemetary. He shared there is no specific date to commemorate the service and sacrifices these fallen soldiers gave. To him, "every day is Memorial Day."
One of the highlights of the ceremony is how Pence offered a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. With General Joseph F. Dunford Jr. and acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan, his act showed his respect to the members of the US Armed Forces, who are still considered unidentified until this very day, as reported by the ABC News.
This traditional ceremony and commemoration started last May 30, 1868. It was then when General John A. Logan was assigned to speak for what was then called Decoration Day in the same location we are celebrating the lives of our fallen soldiers nowadays.
During his speech, Logan shared how he treasured every life sacrificed by the US soldiers. To him, it was just right to honor them and value the memory of what they did. "Cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes..." Logan shared. "We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance," he added.
Furthermore, Logan explained the reason why he's chosen the day to celebrate the event. According to him, the day was just perfect as the season and temperature are best during this time. The flowers start to bloom, which will eventually add beauty to the place, and the temperature is just perfect and suitable for the event.
Though the schedule for the annual celebration has been well-planned, TIME explains that it was not always like that, especially when it comes to the choosing of the burial site. The military's choice was not based on the beauty of the location but out of the desperation on the urgency and the need.
"The location [of the cemetery] was considered a practical matter," explains Robert M. Poole, author of On Hallowed Ground: The Story of Arlington National Cemetery. "A lot of the fighting took place close to Washington D.C., and all of the cemeteries in the D.C. area filled up," he added.
