This page is a collection of famous quotes, American Legion members' commentaries on veteran's issues, and letters from the public to the American Legion Post 776. The following commentaries are the opinions of the individual authors and not specifically the opinion of The American Legion organization.

Memorial Day
A Day And Time Of Remembrance

Here within the perimeters of these hallowed grounds, lying in perpetual slumber, are the sons and daughters of liberty. And much so, like the torch of liberty, their deeds and valor became the torch that lit the paths to peace and freedom.

Similarly to their comrades of the Flanders Field of yore, they too , lived and felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved and were loved, and heard the larks sing high above. On this, a day of tribute to them all, we gather to pay homage to them...be it here on these hallowed grounds, those throughout our country and abroad, and in the deep of some distant sea.

We, of the living are indeed beholden to them. From the birth of our nation and the ensuing centuries and decades, answering to the call of our county, on land, on sea and in the air, they went to defend what we know as our American heritage. What we have enjoyed in the past...are now enjoying...will continue to enjoy in the future, were paid for in pain, sweat, blood and sacrifice of life.

On Memorial Day, Americans throughtout our country and abroad are observing this special day in someway or another. Some by attending some form of religious rites, some formal ceremony at a cemetery, and yes...even with a family or group outing at a nearby beach or recreation park. Be it what-so-ever each being appropriate and rightly so. After all, isn't it part of the things they were fighting for?...The right to pursue happiness? Isn't it why we of the living are not only able to celebrate this holiday but every holiday as well? Indeed, beholden we are to them.

For those of us who gather at their final resting place, let us take the time to glace at all of the grave markers with a mimiature flag of our country, and express our appreciation for their gallant deeds and to let them know through our prayers that they are not forgotten...that their deeds were not for naught.

---For all of ye that lies in slumber within these hallowed grounds, dawn will greet you as will the sunset glow, yet even more so...you are loved and remembered. So rest all of ye that lies in slumber within these hallowed grounds, those throughout the country and abroad, those in the deep of a sea of near and far and ye in Flanders Field...YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN...on this, a day and time of remembrance.

--Roy Del Rosario (USMC Ret.)
Post 776 Historian

In times of war and
not before,
God and Soldier
men adore.
But in times of
peace with
all things righted,
God is forgotten and the
Soldier slighted.

American Heros

First of all this is only an opinion; my opinion. The American society, especially our youth, look to their heros as role models, but who are these heros?...TV and movie stars, and professional atheletes. These individuals may be good role models, but I think as a whole, our society has over looked the "true American hero," our veterans. The men and woman who served in our Armed Forces and sacrifed so much...some with blood, some with the loss of their innocence and youth, and some paid the ultimate price...lost of their life. I am refering to all of our veterans, from the top officers to the enlisted. History text books only teach us about the great Generals who served our country, but without their troops they would have never achieved such greatness. Therefore, it is time that we learn more than what the text books have taught us. Where do we seek this knowledge? Perhaps the best way is to simply seek out one of our many veterans. Who better to learn about our history, and the true meaning of being an American. They have experience so much and have to so much to offer.

Celebrities may have brought us many hours of entertainment and perhaps even envolved themselves in good causes, but our veterans fought to preserve every right that we enjoy in our daily lives. Without them, life as we know it would not exist. Furthermore, the chances of meeting a celebrity and getting to know one is slim to never. The chances of meeting and getting to know a veteran is very good, probably as close as your next door neighbor. The "true American heros" hands down, our Armed Forces' veterans!

--A Letter To The American Legion Post 776

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