On Memorial Day, we honor those brave heroes who stood on the Wall of Freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
The first Memorial Day dates to the Civil War era, when a group of Southern women decorated the graves of soldiers from both the Confederacy and the Union who died in battle. The first national memorial observance was in May of 1868.
New York was the first state to legalize the holiday in 1873,, and by 1890, all the Northern states celebrated Memorial Day on May 30. The date of the observance was changed to the last Monday in May in 1971.
In World War I, 116,516 troops died for our country, and 405,399 gave their lives in World War II. The Korean War took 33,686 heroes, and in Vietnam, 50,209 paid the ultimate price. The number of American troops who have died fighting the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan totals more than 7,000.
One of the more compelling tributes to our fallen troops is the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. I made my first visit there in 1988 and it was quite an emotional experience. Some visitors knelt in prayer, some left tokens of remembrance, while others sketched the names of their loved ones onto a piece of paper.
The names on the wall are arranged by date of death, and within each date, the names are alphabetized. There are three sets of fathers and sons honored, and 31 sets of brothers. Almost 4,000 soldiers whose names are carved into the wall were just 22 or younger, and 8,283 were only 19.
The largest age group on the wall is 18-year-olds, at 33,103. Twelve were only 17, five were only 16 and one was just 15. On their first day in Vietnam, 997 troops lost their lives, while 1,448 were killed on their last day of service there.
For many, Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer. For others, it’s a day for barbecues, picnics and parades. For all of us, it should be a day to honor those Americans who gave their lives for our country.
Please join us for the annual Kirkwood Memorial Day Parade and Service led by the township fire department. The parade will start at 11 a.m. from the former Carriage House Restaurant at 1219 Kirkwood-Gibbsboro Road, continue down Gibbsboro Road, turn right onto Walnut Avenue, left onto Second Avenue, onto Chestnut Avenue and right onto Burnt Mill Road.
It will end at the Veterans Memorial adjacent to the Kirkwood Fire Station, where a wreath ceremony and service will start at 11:30 a.m. Special thanks to Terri and Vaughn Vandegrift for organizing this community tradition.
Honor our fallen heroes not just by enjoying barbecues, parades and picnics, but by embracing your family. Honor them by cherishing your freedom. They would have wanted it that way.
Office hours and canines
Summer hours at town hall will be in effect from Tuesday, May 26, to Tuesday, Sept. 8. Offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and closed on Fridays.
The township is proud to support the Animal Welfare Association’s Paws & Feet 5K and Doggie Fun Day on Saturday, May 30, at Cooper River Park, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is for all ages and will offer fun for the entire family, including local small- business vendors, children’s activities, food and beverages and live music by Tell All Your Friends from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, please reach out to the Animal Welfare Association.
Summer tunes
Our Thursday summer concert series kicks off at 7 p.m. on June 25 at Connolly Park with the band, Gilligan Yacht Rock. Join us for an evening of live music and community fun. Bring your blankets and chairs to relax and enjoy the show. Food trucks and a Dooney’s Pub garden of spirits will be available. Parking and admission are free. Please note that the dog park will be closed during the event. For more information, visit the township’s social media platforms.
