Remembering on Memorial Day

“For Memorial Day, NAU alumnus Joseph Shaffer III , an Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam, shared his thoughts. Shaffer was director of both the University Honors Program and Arizona Honors Academy at NAU, and taught history as well. Shaffer co-authored “UNSUNG: Quiet Voices of the U.S. Navy’s EOD Warriors and Their Families” with professor emerita Paula Greene. Memorial Day events in the Flagstaff area are below. Joseph Shaffer III “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt After the American Civil War, people in various places throughout the United States sought to commemorate the war dead. Originally known as Decoration Day, in 1967 Congress officially renamed the last Monday in May as Memorial Day. It is a day to honor American military personnel who have died while serving in the military. Despite mattress sales, low-interest new car deals and backyard cookouts to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, for veterans of U.S. military service and the families of those who died in battle in our 250-year history, Memorial Day is still a solemn reminder of the cost of the freedoms and privileges we still enjoy. Celebrate the day, but as you do so, take a moment to reflect on those who gave their lives for this nation. Memorial Day events: May 25 9 a.m. at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 201 W. University Drive: 20- to 30-minute ceremony honoring military personnel who have been killed 11 a.m. at Citizens Cemetery, 1300 S. San Francisco St.: 45- to 60-minute ceremony with guest speakers 1 p.m. at Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 14317 Veterans Drive, Bellemont: 45- to 60-minute ceremony with guest speakers

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