Memorial Day Is More Than A Day Off Work

The following is an ENCORE Tim Moore blog, with fresh video and updated:


Each Memorial Day, I think about how the REASON for the holiday is largely lost in the chaos of cookouts with hamburgers and hotdogs, going to the beach, drinking and watching sports-either in person or on TV. The same thing happens on the Fourth of July.

Freedom is not free-and has never been. From the start of the United States “grand experiment”, untold tens of thousands (millions perhaps?) have given their lives to defend that freedom, almost all of the time on foreign shores. Many more have been scarred, either physically, emotionally-or both.

Most of them were kids at the time. My oldest son is 21—and I cannot imagine him going off to fight in Iraq, Afganistan, the beaches of Normandy or the South Pacific. Yet, fathers and mothers throughout our history have sent their sons and daughters off to war---many to never see them again.

I will refrain from a blog on Monday, but will honor our fallen heroes TODAY—in advance of the “holiday”—in hopes that all who read this will rekindle an appreciation for the sacrifices made by our sons and daughters throughout our history.

Take a moment to quietly thank them for making what was often the ultimate sacrifice. Our country has many flaws-and many challenges. Despite it all, we still are priviliged to live in a country where true freedom exists—no where else on the planet are human beings so free to choose their own destiny.

Watch the Memorial Day clip below—and give honor and remembrance to our fallen heroes.



http://www.949whom.com/goout.asp?u=http://TimMooreat949WHOM.blogspot.com

Again this year, 94.9 WHOM has made the decision to NOT put the station vehicle in the Portland Memorial Day Parade. This was the subject of a separate blog last year---and the response we received supported our view that “promoting” a radio station is both crass and self-serving in a parade meant to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

We DO show up at Fourth of July parades—and maybe this is inappropriate as well, but the 4th to me is more a celebration of freedom than the more reflective role of Memorial Day. The WHOM Tahoe will not be taking part---not because we don’t honor our heroes (and some people did believe we should have been there last year, that our participation was in and of itself a kind of tribute). We just feel that our DJs and the station in general shouldn’t take the focus away from the veterans, the police and fire personnel—those who are our true heroes.

I would welcome your feedback on this decision. E-mail me at tim.moore@citcomm.com
If you would like to receive my weekday blog via e-mail, that’s the address as well. Have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend!

God Bless The U.S.A!