Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day! 

Some folks look at Memorial Day and the long weekend it provides associating it with the last days of school, graduation time and the unofficial beginning of summer.  But we shouldn't forget Memorial Day is much more:

It's the time to thank our soldiers and honor those whom we've lost.

So this year, in addition to firing up the grill and relaxing with family, consider volunteering or donating as part of your Memorial Day tradition to causes that support and honor your local veterans.  You can do this on Memorial Day and throughout the year too. 

Check out the Department of Veterans Affairs, and find a VA medical center, cemetery or community center near you.   Or perhaps register to run in a charity run for Memorial Day. Run in honor of a fallen loved one, or find a run with a cause close to your heart.  Thanking service men and women on Memorial Day is one thing -- but honoring those who returned to civilian life with added hardships is another. Homes for Our Troops builds homes for seriously wounded veterans -- at no cost to the veteran.  Whatever....find a cause and support it, not just on Memorial Day but all year around too.

Memorial Day is also synonymous with the American Flag and our National Anthem.

At this time of year, more American flags are flying  -- and that's great!  With the exception of inclement weather, I keep my flag waving almost all year.  Sometimes I have the impression that people forget the relationship between our flag our veterans and those whom we've lost as they have sacrificed for our country.  As a closing gift, I often present a beautifully packaged American Flag to my home-buyer clients.  This flag is pre-packed in a gift box.  The flag is beautiful and the flag I present to my clients has each star actually sewed on -- not glued on!  It's truly a great gift!  I believe my clients appreciate this gesture.  I'm proud to say I had the opportunity to present another flag to a client just this past week!

With the possible exception of beautiful landscaping and seasonal flowers nothing makes a house look more beautiful, more proud, stately and splendid than when the American Flag is waving from the front porch!  Home buyers never think about purchasing a flag -- until the first holiday rolls around.  By then there is a limited selection and sometimes they never get around to purchasing a nice flag.  This is why I believe the flag makes a great house warming gift.  It warms my heart when weeks, months or years later, I stop by unexpectedly for a visit and see the home-owner actively using the gift as it was meant to be!    

It has often occurred to me that we sometimes take our national anthem and our flag for granted.  WHY?  Who is to blame for this?  Is it the fault of coaches?  The fault of schools?  Teachers?  Parents?  All of the above?  Us?  Yes, us!  We all stand to hear a bit of  blame. 

We tend to take the national anthem and the flag for granted.  It is the last thing that takes place prior to the beginning of a sporting event, and many fans are more interested in getting the game started than in showing respect for the country and it's flag.

"The Star Spangled Banner" has been used as a showcase for entertainers, many of whom make a mockery of the anthem with their renditions that sometimes include botched lyrics.  It's puzzling why major sporting events insist on having big-name artists perform this most important of songs.  The most memorable singing of the national anthem is often performed by children -- and their sweet innocense.  Last year at an Atlanta Braves game, a 10-year old girl from Atlanta sang with the clearest of voices, didn't bungle the words and hit every note with perfect pitch.  She sang with pride in the song, the flag and her country as well as those who have served to protect us all.   What was unfortunate is that somehow in recent years, fans start their hoop-la before the song is even finished!  Why do we hear the cheering crowd erupt before the singer has finished the last sentence, "Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave....."?  It kind of makes you wonder whether the fans are actually cheering for the flag, the country it represents OR are they cheering for the start of the game event as the final lyrics are drowned out, "o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

Honoring and respecting the flag goes beyond athletic events.  Many businesses and individuals fly the flag proudly for all to see.  Too often however, the flags are left to fly after they have become faded from the sun and tattered by the weather.  The flag is flown with the best of intentions, but after a while it becomes just one more decoration that is forgotten over time.  According to the Code of Etiquette for the American Flag, our national flag should be displayed on all days that there is no danger the weather will damage it. It not only shows respect for our national symbol, but prolongs the life of the American flag. It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or on a stationary flag pole in the open. However, it may also be flown at night if it is properly illuminated.  The flag should be "retired" from duty when it becomes faded or becomes tattered and torn.  It can then be sent to the local National Guard, Police Department or Boy Scott Troop for a proper and respectful retirement. 

The national anthem and the American flag are symbols of who we are as a country.  They represent those who have given their lives to make America a great place to live.  Our freedoms, our quality of life, our hopes for the future and respect for the past are truly wrapped up in the 13 stripes and 50 stars of the flag and the 80 words in the first verse of the national anthem.  

When you go to the ball park this summer, REMEMBER, the games we play and watch should be the afterthought, not the national anthem and the flag which make possible all of our freedoms -- including the freedom to watch a baseball game.

The next time you attend an event and hear "The Star Spangled Banner", take your hat off, stand proud, place your right hand over your heart and sing out in true pride and conviction.  This is your country, our country.  Be proud of it!  Don't forget to remember and thank every veteran and service member you come in contact with on Memorial Day and every other day.  And, remember too to honor those who have compromised their own lives so you and I could live in the USA! 

Happy Memorial Day!

Sara Hibbard is a licensed Realtor in the state of Georgia.  Sara looks forward to answering your many questions regarding the real estate market in general or specifics regarding the buying / relocation / selling / short sale / foreclosure process.  Sara is easily reached at 404-660-2481 or via e-mail at Sara@SaraHibbard.com.   Visit Sara's websites at www.SaraHibbard.com,
www.Georgia-ShortSaleInfo.com.   Sara Hibbard is Glad Georgia Real Estate is on Your Mind!