Memorial Day2002-2008

DestroyerEscort Sailors Association - DESA

Past Memorial Day Graphics and Page Exerpts

2002 - 2008

THE LAST MONDAY IN MAY

We pause to remember, those who died
With so much much courage, so much pride
They'll never come back, but memories endure
To remind us of freedom, fragile and pure
We're worthy of their sacrifice
If we pause "each" day
Not just on
THE LAST, MONDAY IN MAY

author unknown

DESA wishes for each member a 2008 Memorial Day filled with special memories of shipmates, family and friends who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Although time eases the pain of loss, the DE sailors who have gone before us will never be forgotten.

DESA wishes you also a safe and happy Memorial Day.

“They stand in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives and through it, they live in a way that humbles the understandings of most men.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt

The above graphic was designed by the DESA webmaster and
denotes the hull numbers of DEs Lost In WWII

On this memorial day, DESA honors and remembers all of our Nation's fallen heroes. On this 137th year of rememberance, we pay special tribute to DE sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice. Each one lives on in our hearts and minds. They remain with us today.

Their dedication and selfless service in the early times in the Atlantic and Pacific Theatres, onward to Korea and to Vietnam is a timeline burned in our memories. They took their small ships and stood in harms way defending our nation, our freedoms and all else they cherished. We cherish their sacrifice.

View The DESA Roll of Honor

Year of War	War	Americans Dead
1775-1783	American Revolution	4,435
1812-1815	War of 1812	2,260
1846-1848	Mexican War	13,283
1861-1865	Civil War	558,052
1898	Spanish American War	2,446
1914-1918	World War I	116,708
1939-1945	World War II	407,316
1950-1953	Korean Conflict	33,651
1957-1975	Vietnam Conflict	58,168
1991	Gulf War	293

They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old,
Age shall not weary them . .
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
And in the morning,
We will remember them!
-- Lawrence Binyon

Memorial Day 2002 Design by North, Webmaster DESAUSA.org

"From these honored dead, we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain..."

Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address

As a special tribute on this Memorial Day, I wrote a poem. This poem is dedicated to all our fallen servicemen, but especially to all the DE sailors who have sailed their final sea.

My Freedom Was Not Free

On Memorial Day, I sit and reflect
To a time not so long ago
With teary eyes and a feeling of love
For the men who made this day so

Oh, what gallant men they were
Some young, some old but eyes bright
The love and pride for their Country
Was the reason for their fight

My freedoms they provided
Over land, the sea and sky
So many brave men fought for me
And never did ask why

They didn't know my family or friends
They never knew my name
But they gave their all, just for me
Fighting battles just the same

Men and women fought the wars
To keep our Country free
They did not fight for someone else
But for you, your family and me

Many never came back home
To the land they loved so much
I wonder if these special men
Know how many lives they touched

These men must never be forgotten
Or the sacrifies they made
The freedoms we enjoy today
Are because of the price THEY paid

To forget is to dishonor
The sacrifices made
And we must never forget
The heavy price they paid

In special honor of these fine men
The flag flies high today
Never let the memories fade
Or our Heroes go away

Memorial Day is the time to say
You know why freedom rings
And with humbled gratitude say thank you
For all the freedoms this day brings

With humility and humbleness
I take this time to say
I know the sacrifice made for me
And the meaning of Memorial Day

On bended knees, with gratitude
I thank my God above
He gave us these fine brave men
Who gave ME this Country that I love

Thank You God for our Veterans
And all they did for me
The price they paid is immeasurable
My freedom was not free

Author: North
webmaster desausa.org
May 27, 2001

Lest We Forget Memorial Day 2002
Design by North, DESA Webmaster

Memorial Day Traditions

Every Memorial Day, families and communities across the nation take time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. Americans observe this special holiday in many different ways. Here are a few of those traditions:

Visiting Gravesites -- Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time to honor the nation's dead by decorating their graves with flowers. Many Americans make special flower arrangements and deliver them as a family to gravesites of their loved ones and ancestors.

Family and American History -- Memorial Day is a favorite time for Americans to read their family history, look at old photographs and learn about their ancestors, especially those who died in the line of battle. It's also an occasion for reading Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and other historic and patriotic speeches by Presidents and leaders of the Armed Services.

Displaying the Flag -- On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon. In the morning, the flag should be raised momentarily to the top, then lowered to half-staff. Americans can also honor prisoners of war and those missing in action by flying the POW/MIA flag.

National Moment of Remembrance -- In accordance with a congressional resolution passed in 2000, Americans pause wherever they are at 3 pm local time for a moment of silence to remember and honor the fallen.

Experience the National Memorials -- Memorial Day can also be an opportunity to visit or read about the national memorials in Washington and others around the country.

Memorial Day Parades -- The Memorial Day parade is a time-honored tradition in cities and towns across America, where neighbors come together to remember with pride those who sacrificed so much for our country.

Memorial Day Poppies -- The tradition of red poppies on Memorial Day was inspired by the 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields," by John McCrea. Seeing the poem and its colorful illustration in a magazine, Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker Moina Michael made a personal pledge always wear red silk poppies as an emblem for "keeping the faith with all who died." She also began a campaign to make the poppy a universal symbol of tribute and support for veterans. Through her efforts, the idea was adopted in the United States and spread to England, France, Australia and more than 50 other countries.

Information courtest of:
http://www.pbs.org