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A Thought About the Memorial Day Holiday
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The Wake County Public School System will be closed for Memorial Day this Monday, May 29.
WCPSS teachers have found interesting ways to honor the contributions of our veterans, both as part of the classroom experience and in their personal lives. For example, we've noted before our collaboration with veterans in developing the Lessons of Vietnam/Recent International Relations courses in many of our high schools. And Heritage Middle social studies chair Karen Kimrey will join her husband for the annual Rolling Thunder POW/MIA motorcycle rally in Washington, D.C., this weekend. WCPSS students have benefited from the experiences and examples of many veterans who have visited and written them, such as 1992 Millbrook grad 1st Lt. Sean Patrick Keenan, a helicopter pilot serving overseas.
Memorial Day, of course, specifically celebrates the memory of those individuals who couldn't bring their experiences back home, but instead made their final sacrifices. One of those was my grandfather, who died in Europe on October 1, 1944. I was vividly reminded of his loss when I heard a song, "The War Was In Color," performed by the Richmond, VA, band Carbon Leaf. It's the story of a grandfather trying to explain the reality of World War II to his grandson:
I see you've found a box of my things -
Infantries, tanks and smoldering airplane wings.
These old pictures are cool. Tell me some stories
Was it like the old war movies?
Sit down son. Let me fill you in
Where to begin? Let's start with the end
This black and white photo don't capture the skin
From the flash of a gun to a soldier who's done
Trust me grandson
The war was in color
This link to a live recording of "The War Was in Color" is provided by permission of Carbon Leaf and the host of the site blueridgelaughing.com.
This Memorial Day, please take some time to remember the men and women who have fallen in service to our country, from the American Revolution to Afghanistan and Iraq. Have a safe weekend, and we'll see you back here next Tuesday.
Posted by Chip Sudderth at 2:20 PM on May 26, 2006 | Leave Feedback
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