Memorial Day is more than a three-day holiday

It is 10 o'clock Monday morning and I am standing on the Sunset Avenue Memorial Park grounds in Asbury Park. There are several veterans post members of all faiths present and people who came to remember and honor those lost during the Civil War, World War I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm and today, the Iraq War.

As the speakers spoke, I found my eyes getting wet, I could not control my emotions. I wondered where are the children? Years ago, when I attended a memorial service there were always schoolchildren in the front rows. Today I saw only a few children among the crowd of people who came to remember and honor those lost.

At the parades we see the sidewalks full of youngsters, but at the memorial services, the true meaning of the day, they are absent.

I looked at the aged faces and thought, will the next generation remember? How many will salute the flag, and listen to the speakers as they pay homage to those who sacrificed their lives?

Many of our children do not know the emotional turmoil during wartime, and my hope is they never will, once the Iraq war ends.

No matter how many years pass, or how many years we outlive our loved ones, the veterans must never be forgotten. The dates of these holidays have been changed so we can enjoy a three-day weekend. The history of the date is sometimes forgotten as we go shopping, set up a barbecue or travel with family and friends.

In my 80s, I don't know how many more Memorial Day ceremonies I will attend. My hope is at next year's ceremonies I will see more children. We enjoy three-day weekends because these veterans fought and died for our freedom. We must never let their sacrifices be forgotten.

Ruth J. Abramowitz

Asbury Park