"M" is for may and memorial day

Here comes Memorial Day Weekend! It’s difficult to believe that we’re wrapping up the fifth month of 2022.

In our society, Memorial Day Weekend has become a time of mixed emotions. People celebrate the coming of the summer season with gatherings, and rejoice in recent or upcoming graduations. Motorsports fans enjoy a bonanza of major racing events – the Indianapolis 500, NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, and Formula 1’s Grand Prix of Monaco. I admit to being a race fan, so I enjoy that!

However, it’s most important to remember WHY there is a Memorial Day. The true meaning of the observance is solemn. We remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country. We salute those who gave their all, so that all of us in this great country might enjoy the freedoms of democracy, so that (in the words of Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg) “…Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

I invite you to pause and reflect on this Memorial Day Weekend, to think about the sacrifices made by so many over the years. Attend a Memorial Day ceremony. And, maybe, read a book about those who fought and died. Our library will be closed on Memorial Day. However, as I post this, there is still time to come in and check out items related to Memorial Day, some of which are conveniently located on our display shelf.

Our library has a large collection of items about military history which are suitable Memorial Day reading material. Here are just a sample:

• 1776 by David McCullough, one of my favorite historians.

• Gettysburg by Stephen W. Sears. This is my favorite nonfiction account of the battle. It includes fascinating details surrounding the battle and is quite readable.

• The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. This Pulitzer Prize winner is my favorite historical novel about the US Civil War. In fact, it may be my very favorite novel of all time. (We also have the movie Gettysburg, which was based on this book, in our DVD collection for you to borrow.)

• Wings of Morning: The Story of the Last American Bomber Shot Down Over Germany in World War II by Thomas Childers.

• Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden. (We also have the movie in our DVD collection.)

• Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of Seal Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson

• Final Salute by Jim Sheeler. I think this unique book is especially appropriate for Memorial Day, honoring the dead and the families left behind. It comes highly recommended by one of our volunteers who read it.

• Sacred Duty: A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery by Tom Cotton

• Hallowed Ground: A Walk at Gettysburg by James McPherson

• Arlington: A Color Guide to America's Most Famous Cemetery by James Gindlesperger.

• The Wall: Images and Offerings from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial by Sal Lopes

We also have history DVDs about most of the major wars and conflicts our military has fought.

This DVD may be most appropriate for Memorial Day:

• Arlington: Call to Honor a DVD from The Smithsonian

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

The Library Lady