Commemorating Memorial Day: A Poem Fit for Everyone

A Respected Reality

To some, Memorial Day is the start of the summer season.

For others, it is a sad reminder of profound lost and meaningless reason.

For the families who lost a soldier due to the cruelties of war.

To the parents who lost a loved one due to neglect, sickness, or justice unfair.

Observed on the last Monday of May and formerly known as “Decoration Day,”

This Federal holiday commemorates the military and the lost of life, so they say.

Also, known as a time for picnics, barbecues, family, and friends.

It can also be a time, to our Father, for us to make amends.

Traditions include flying the U.S. flag at half-staff, from dawn until noon.

And, a national moment of remembrance at 3 p.m., during Eastern Time tunes.

Some even celebrate by having a community parade.

Now, a three-day weekend, most of us think we now have it made.

But, the truth of the matter is, no form of commemoration is right or wrong.

Because Memorial Day is a holiday to be observed for lives lost and lives that continue to live on.

A Bit of History: “Candid Camera”

"Candid Camera" was a long-running CBS television series, created and produced by Allen Funt, which began on radio as "Candid Microphone" on June 28, 1947. This concept later came to television on August 10, 1948. The show continued on network, syndicated, or cable television as a regular show or a series of specials. Funt hosted or co-hosted almost all TV versions, until he had a stroke in 1993. Ths show involved concealed cameras, filming ordinary people being confronted with unusual situations, sometimes involving trick props, such as a desk with drawers that pop open when one is closed or a car with a hidden extra gas tank. When the joke was revealed, victims were told the show's famous catch phrase, "Smile, you're on Candid Camera." The show also played its hidden camera pranks on celebrities. One fine example is actress, Ann Jillian. Now, Ms. Jillian, who is Lithuanian, was scheduled to make a small donation to a Lithuanian charity. When police officers informed her a con artist was behind the charity, they convinced her to donate a much larger amount with the assurance that he would be arrested when he accepted the check. After the arrest attempt, Ms. Jillian was told the man was running a legitimate charity, a set-up that forced her into acting as though she had intended to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars all along.