Josephine M. Ruffino
Why is Memorial Day celebrated only one day a year?
On this day, flags, red, white and blue, wave outside our homes, outside office buildings and other places as far as our eyes can see on this designated day.
Flowers and flags are placed on all the graves, North, South, East and West throughout our country. A grand day of honor and remembrance for those who have served our country. Why is this the only day we remember our sons, daughters, our friends, and families who have died in combat defending our nation? And let’s not forget those who fought for this country of ours and came home to reunite with their families.
Give thanks to our veterans each and every day. The first large observance was held at Arlington National Cemetery across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. Flowers were decorated on the Yankee graves of the fallen men and women. This tradition continues each and every Memorial Day (formerly known as Decoration Day.)
I have a brother, who served with the Marine Corp. and relatives in the Navy: my dad over 26 years, and my husband, John, served with the Navy for their country.
Many years ago, I moved from N.J. to Washington, D.C. While there, I had an interview with a Naval Officer and moved forward with the Navy. I joined for 10 years and then continued my service with the auditor general of the navy at the pentagon until my retirement.