Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it.
It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.
– Anonymous
On the last Monday of May, every year since 1868, Americans have devoted a day to remember the fallen. Originally called ‘Decoration Day’, the holiday was created to decorate the graves of Civil War soldiers. As time has passed, countless brave Americans have given their lives to ensure our freedom and safety, and we dedicate Memorial Day to appreciating them. Memorial Day is often confused with Veterans Day (November 11th), though they are distinct holidays; Memorial Day honors our dead and Veterans Day honors both our dead and living. Beloved traditions surrounding this day include raising the American, missing-in-action (MIA), or prisoner of war (POW) flags, having a moment of silence, visiting veterans’ cemeteries or former battlefields, sharing pictures of fallen personnel, and participating in (or attending) tribute concerts, parades, and services. While these are a few common traditions, many others are practiced nationwide.
Memorial Day at Kingsway
Kingsway High School has its own tradition to honor our nation’s fallen: the Memorial Day Ceremony. The event is organized by Kingsway’s Mr. Andrew Young, a beloved teacher of Public Speaking & Debate and Drama, as well as an advisor to our Model Congress, Drama, and NJDFL clubs.
The event itself—Mr. Young explained to us—originated in 1995, on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend; Principal Tom Coleman dedicated a time for the school to honor the fallen by gathering outside around the flag for a moment of silence.
Since then, our ceremony has grown to involve several traditions. We invite honored guests, like veterans, their families, local leaders, and government representatives, and we recognize seniors who have committed to joining the armed forces. The ceremony also features keynote and student speeches centered around a shared theme (this year’s theme being “World War II – United We Stood: Stronger Together”), as well as performances by the school band and choir. Another key point of the ceremony is the laying of the wreath and a flag ceremony carried out by student council representatives.
To get to the heart of this tradition, though, we have to go back a little further. Every year, we honor four KRHS students who died for their country— Stephano James Fiducioso (Class of ‘65), Donald Lee Corbin (Class of ‘65), and Dennis Philip Martin (Class of ’68), all of whom served in Vietnam, and Ryan K. Iannelli (Class of ‘02), who served in Afghanistan. Mr. Young expresses, “The entire ceremony is quite moving and inspires one to think of the freedoms we enjoy.”
The Takeaway
The plain truth of the matter is that our nation owes its safety to the brave individuals who laid down their lives to protect it. Mr. Young urges us to remember— “…Memorial Day is more than just the beginning of summer. Take a moment to imagine if Nazi Germany prevailed in WWII. It would be a very different world we’d be living in. Remember all of our fellow citizens who paid the ultimate price so all of us can live free.” It should not be political to be American, and, on this day of unity, we as the American people must put aside our differences to appreciate those who gave their lives for our nation—for us. Whoever you are, dear reader, we ask that you take the time to honor our fallen, be it with ceremony or silent gratitude. Above all, understand that the greatest way of showing gratitude is by upholding, in our own lives, the values that make America worth protecting.
Wishing you a brave and free Memorial Day,
The Flame Crew