For most of us, Memorial Day 2010 Muskegon marks the beginning of a season of summer fun. But don’t let the real meaning of the holiday get lost amidst the barbecues and beach sand. Memorial Day – originally called “Decoration Day” – unofficially began in 1865 as a way to honor fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. In fact, because of lingering resentment over the war, many Southern states did not observe the holiday until after World War I (they opted for their own Confederate Memorial Day). Memorial Day has since became an occasion to honor fallen soldiers from all wars after WWI. You can find a listing of all those from Muskegon who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Honor them with the traditions of this special holiday:
-Fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon, local time.
-Participate in a national “moment of remembrance,” which occurs at 3PM, Washington DC time.
-Place flags on the graves of war dead.
-Visit or volunteer at your local Muskegon VA hospital [find your closest one here]; you might also want to investigate VA Voluntary Service, which organizes volunteers to help care for wounded vets. www.volunteer.va.gov
-Support your local Muskegon area VFW – and remember, thank a veteran when you’re there!
[Find your local VFW here]
-Donate your old cellphones to help our military stay in touch with loved ones at home. www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
Alternately, you can donate calling cards for service members at Operation Uplink. www.operationuplink.org
-Let those who are currently serving know they’re appreciated; Operation USO Care Package lets you sponsor a gift box containing needed and requested items for a service member overseas.
www.uso.org/donate/custom.aspx?id=565&
Click here to pay honor to a friend or loved one in town who has served our country
Muskegon Area Casualties of War ...
(Please send additions or corrections for the lists below for Muskegon to info@americantowns.com)
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Cardinal, Anthony O.
Scheibner, Daniel E.
Singleton, Todd A.
Vietnam War
Antonio Ramon Ponce
Barry H Dulyea
Bernard John Novak
Cleveland E Dykes
Daniel Lee Earlenbaugh
David Elwood Flannery
David Martin Miszewski
Donald Lewis King
Douglas Mackarthe Mallett
Gabriel Herrada
Gary Lynn Hosko
Gerald Alan Collis
Gerald Ray Hendrickson
James Allen Tazelaar
James Harvey Hopson
James Irving Cutler
James Luther Cameron
James Patrick Achterhoff
James Robert Klimo
Jerry Richard Cole
Kenneth Jerome Simmons
Kenneth Richard Vos
Louis Kenneth Kanaar
Michael Craig Rockey
Nicholes William Charles
Ray Edward Knoll
Raymond Mack Shineldecker
Richard Norman Gereau
Robert Gayle Davison
Robert Henry Goosen
Robert John Grover
Russell Rickland Fyan
Stanley Robert Lewandowsky
Stephen Douglas Langler
Steven Tracy Kiel
Thomas Allen Hower
Thomas Leon Robinson
Willie Jr Mccloud
Korean War
Bentley, Robert Carl
Bradley, Donald Joseph
World War II
Click here for a database of more local Michigan soldiers killed in World War II
Below you can pay honor to a friend or loved one in town who has served our country and share that on Facebook:
