Memorial Day

Mount Olive Remembers

Photos By Joe Gigli

Mount Olive -(right) Members of the Mount Olive Twp. Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee followed by the Mount Olive H.S. Marching Band; march up Sandshore Road, during the Memorial Day Parade. (below left) The Mount Olive H.S. Marching Band.

Mount Olive Twp. - (above left) Asraa Mustufa 8th grade student at the Mount Olive Middle School, reads her winning essay "What Memorial Day Means To Me". The essay contest was held by the Mount Olive Pride Committee and a winner was chosen for the Middle School and High School Category. Both winners received a $100 savings Bond. Pictured with Asraa are (l-r) Liz Ouimet; Ray Perkins; and Suzanne DiMonda, all from the Pride Committee. (The winning essays are published to the right and below.) (below left) (l-r) Luke Lashway; Eric Eevardi; Chris Thiele; and Scott Jaran; members of the Budd Lake Association, during the Memorial Day parade.

By Charlotte Burkly

     The sun has recently risen in the sky and sunlight floods into my kitchen. As I look out the window, I see a little American flag fluttering in the wind. It is Monday, May twenty-eighth, 2001. This past weekend was exhausting! I ran in two track races and played in a Memorial Day weekend soccer tournament! I even went to the mall to take advantage of the "Memorial Day Weekend Sales!" Now that all this comes to a close, I finally have some time to myself. But all I could think about is why do we have all these festivities? I know the events are honoring Memorial Day, but what does Memorial Day truly mean to me?

     The term, "Memorial Day," always brings the same image to my mind: a soldier, in full military apparel, ready to fight for his country. But following this image is a war scene: this soldier is caught by surprise, and shot. He is left unattended for hours. This man dies, but dies for his country. I cannot imagine having the courage to leave my family and home, for a foreign land where death is almost certain. It is amazing that men and women have enough strength to do this. These soldiers are my heroes. They commit feats that I could never imagine doing myself. I devote today to remembering these real-life superheroes.

       These war heroes do not die for no reason. The freedom and safety that we gain from fighting in wars is directly linked to their bravery. If not for the courage of the US military, slavery might still exist in America; the entire world could be under the rule of Nazi Germany. In fact, without the Revolutionary War soldiers, America would be a British colony. Red, white, and blue would not signify the freedom of America, but the expanse of the British Empire!

       It is the beauty of the red and white stripes and the blue background of the stars that makes me realize how lucky I am to be an American, living in the United States. But the United States would not be the wonderful, culturally rich, and most importantly, free nation that is today if not for sacrifices made by our soldiers throughout the course of hundreds of years, dozens of wars. Because of the magnificent efforts of these soldiers, all Americans can join together, gaze at the stars and stripes, and sing "The Star Spangled Banner." This simple act has pride surging through our veins: we are Americans.

       Now, after all these thoughts of our country, I understand how much of an impact soldiers had on each and every one of our lives. I honestly hope that, although deceased, these men and women can somehow see the product of their labor. At this time, I am going to my grandparent's house for their annual Memorial Day gathering. This year, though, the swimming, music, hot-dogs, and the red, white, and blue will mean so much more to me.     

Grade 10 MOHS

By Asraa Mustufa

What does Memorial Day mean to me? Memorial Day floods my mind with images of balloons, American flags, parades, marching bands, music, and particularly, a free day off from school. It rejuvenates one's sense of nationalism, which is always good. Yet I fear that the true meaning of Memorial Day is being cast away in the shadows of material things, and is slowly being forgotten.

       Memorial Day was made into a holiday for the remembrance of those who offered the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Which seems ironic because death is hardly an occasion to celebrate. But some have been lead astray from the idea of recalling the memories of the dead, those who died in an effort to keep the justice in the world, and to defend their country. Memorial Day is simply a day to honor and respect those who gave their lives and nothing in this world can match the value of a life!

       So to me, Memorial Day is that special, significant time in which to forever remember and hold those memories of the most courageous and bold people our country has to offer; those who not only gave their lives for the country, but for the people of the country, and the future of the country. America wouldn't be the same if every single one of those people hadn't gone out to pay the ultimate sacrifice. These are the people whose spirits lie in the seams of the great American flag. They are the very threads that exist in the stars and stripes, the reds, blues, and whites that decorate our flag today. Without them, I don't believe that America would be the same.

       Unfortunately, some people's hearts are deviating away from that true meaning of Memorial Day. But I'll try to keep those people who gave their lives for their country close to my heart. I truly admire them. I don't think I could ever give what they gave. I can only hope that they are never forgotten. But I'll always have the reassurance that their spirits still lay in the flag. And I hope that our memories of them never have to die like they did. I will never end my respect and admiration for their bravery and sacrifice. They are the true heroes, and though they died in defense of our country, they're courage will live on forever.

Grade 6

Mount Olive Middle School

Mrs. Cavo - Language Arts