Memorial Day is actually May 30th. It was first observed on May 30th, 1868. Here in the US we have tended to “move” holidays for the convenience of 3 day weekends, so it is now ‘observed’ on the last Monday in May despite the actual date. I thought the 30th would still be a good day to share this poem.

“It is the Veteran, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Veteran, not the preacher,
who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Veteran, not the lawyer,
who has given us freedom for a fair trial.

It is the Veteran, not the politician,
who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer,
who has given us freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Veteran,
who saluted the flag,
who serves beneath the flag and
whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.”