Memorial Day
On Monday 31st May, we observe one of our most solemn holidays, Memorial Day, set aside for the purpose of honoring those who have died in the wars fought to perpetuate our freedom.
Although life may still not have returned to pre-COVID 19 normal - with a recorded Memorial Day concert this year - at least it is still taking place to help families celebrate and honor servicemen and women, and the musical line-up looks great with soul quartet The Four Tops, Motown royalty Gladys Knight, and Grammy award winning country music singer Alan Jackson all performing.
As well as taking the time to honor the brave, the Memorial Day weekend usually gives us the opportunity to enjoy the first taste of summer, and spend time with our family.
It got me to thinking about a show I recently added from the series One Man's Family, which is about a family member being suddenly deployed to active duty in the Pacific. With just 48 hours leave, his family closed in about him like the arms of a mother around a small child.
It's an emotional episode, and delicately portrays the worry and heartache of his family, along with their desire to do something for him, to be something to him, to help sustain him in preparation for his coming duty.
Joy and I sadly lost a close friend and veteran this week, and I often think of him when I write about the military. He was an incredibly proud gentleman, and he always had a good tale to keep everyone entertained - but more than anything, I remember how humbled he always was during days such as Memorial Day, at just how many folk show their honor and respect to our servicemen and women. I hope that we never lose that appreciation of our armed forces.
There are so many old time radio shows about Memorial Day, and so we have a special page on RUSC, where you can choose from the selection yourself. The day of remembrance was formerly known as Decoration Day until 1967, so many old time radio shows refer to it as such.
Here's the link:-
Memorial Day Shows
And don't forget, there's also the World at War radio station available on RUSC here.
Whatever you are doing over this long weekend, hitting the mall to grab a bargain in the sales, entertaining with friends or family, or just relaxing at home, I hope that you can take a moment to honor and remember our fallen on the day which marks the existence of a veteran who answered the call for their country.
Happy listening my friends,
