"Those we hold most dear never truly leave us. They live on in the kindness they showed, the comfort they shared, and the love they brought into our lives." - Norton

I know of no other holiday that deserves total ritual of remembrance and recognition than Memorial Day. This year, that day falls on May 30th.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution asks all Americans "to voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to gaining back the holiday’s true intention. No matter how crazy our lives get, we need to set aside one day out of the year to fully remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, commemorates U.S. soldiers who have died while in the military service.  First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor American service men and women who have died in all wars. 

There is some dispute over where the first decoration was held, though it was first officially observed on May 30th, 1868. In fact, mothers and other loved ones decorated the graves of the dead of the "North" and "South" before the Civil war was over. 

Moina Michael inspired by the poem, "In Flanders Field" wrote "We cherish too, the poppy red that grows in fields where valor led. It seems to signal to the skies that blood of heroes never dies."

This idea of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day to honor those who died took hold, and the VFW, Veterans of Foreign Wars, started selling poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948, the United States Post Office honored her by issuing a red, three cent postage stamp with her likeness.

As we honor our fallen heroes it comes to mind one simple question. Why do we have wars? 

Are there answers?  Are they valid? What starts these conflicts that send our very best into the field to fight their fellow men? 

There have always been conflict and wars, but why? Why? What starts the conflict that puts so many lives on the line?

I can't find an answer to that. We use swords and guns and paraphernalia to do what? Is it really worth the sacrifice?

I feel cheated by those who destroyed the lives and limbs of good people trying. I feel even more cheated because who knew what their lives might have been.

On this Memorial Day observance I will see the flag. I will listen to the music and the message, and be grateful for those who have served our country. But I will cry inside and continue to wonder, why?

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about the "local happenings" and family events such as family and school reunions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, and birth and wedding announcements.

In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us, so we can then pass along "the news" to you.  If you have "news" to share, please contact me.

Also, if our NRHEG Star Eagle readers would like to share birthdays and anniversaries of your family and friends, or you know of some that should be deleted, or names have changed, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

• Thursday, May 26th: Jeff Wayne, Roger Wangsness, Natalie Hanson, Jim Cummins, Jennifer Beaber, Jeremy Beaber, Melissa Redmon, Karey (Kalakian) & Chris Shearman

• Friday, May 27th: Eileen Bergland, Lisa Hanson, Steve Jepson, Shane Callahan, Stacy Wobschall, Rev. Beaber, Theresa Kasper, Rick Loven, Carolee Broitzman George,  Tracy Marcus, Lisa Hanson, Steve Jepson, Michael Butler, Steve & Karen Quam, Megan & Joel Cooper

• Saturday, May 28th: Sra Beth Carlson, her 1st; Lily Lee Olson, her 1st; Madalyn Kehne, Madison Catherine Knudson, Susan Schmidt, Jim Christensen, Marie Fowler, Rick & Jenny Loberg, Gerritt & Kathy Molenaar

• Sunday, May 29th: Brent Peterson, Deb Farr, Odean Otterson, Gene Pederson, Mark Butler, Ross Lein, Colin Quimby, Rod & Sandi Serdahl, John & Susan Oolman, Lily & Jerry Neitzel, Helen & Chuck Schmidt

• Monday, May 30th: Payton Allen Misgen, Daniel Larson, Molly Hanson, Phyllis Aronson, Chuck Crabtree, Shirley Nelson, Julie & Toby Oquist

• Tuesday, May 31st: Nathan Jensen, Jerry White, Pat Draayer, Ryan Sletten, Jim Hamor, Robert DuBois, Cierra Hanson, Julie & Toby Oquist

• Wednesday, June 1st: Carter Anthony Martens, Randy Hagen, Brandi Hagen, John Hanson, Bert Wiersma, Phyllis Benson, Joe Wallace, Julie Dulas, Kenny Toft, Maria Misgen, Tony Sommers, Bob Flim, Glenn Gerdes, Lindsey Lembke, Denise Evenson Wilson, Jeff & Sharon Lageson, Orville & Mavis Langlie, Norval & Helen Nelson

• Thursday, June 2nd: Maia Kathleen Peterson, Brent Dobberstein, Angie Goodnature Kath, Taylor Draayer, Sue Jensen Kuckenbecker, Steve Kasper, Cindy Olson, Barry Esplan, Krystle Lonning,      Donald Haberman, Ahston Haried, Trent Hanson, Brandon McLaughlin, Tammy & Garth Gonnering, Greg & Nicole Shultz, Eric & Snow Lee, their 3rd

• Friday, June 3rd: Isabella Grace Kohn, her 1st; Devin Matthew Haddy, his 4th; Justin Stieglbauer, David Hall, Troy Vavra, Donald Peterson, Jason Jenkins, Michael Bartness, Angie Kasper Christenson, George Kasper, Chrisopher Conley, Max Miller, Esther Van Ravenhorst, Misty (Ebnet) & Jeremy Krueger, Eric & Christine Nelson

May your special day blossom with many reasons to smile.