Memorial Day-Lest we forget the true meaning

Welcome to the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club for the week of Sunday, May 25 through Saturday May 30. We are an Internet based Rotary Club based in Quezon City, Philippines with core groups of members in Southern California and elsewhere. We serve our local and nearby communities as well as projects in the Philippines. Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.

Inspiration

As we reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day, here are a few quotes.

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. ~ Mark Twain

"These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor - and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror." ~ Michael N. Castle

"A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle." ~ George William Curtis, and lastly

"My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." ~John F. Kennedy

Rotary 4-Way Test

Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”

By building your team's self-esteem and encouraging them, the entire team becomes stronger.

Sing-Along Song

Take your time and sing-along (wherever you may be) while we remember the fallen.

Program

Lest we forget, let's remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War. Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.

The video to the right is about the Manila American Cemetery, a place where Celly and Frank Adamo visited several years ago while vacationing in the Philippines. The visit was a solomn occasion as we saw so many crosses in one holy place.

Later that week, Celly's father took Frank on a personal tour of Bataan and Corregidor. Frank was especially interested in Bataan because his uncle, Dr. Frank S. Adamo, was a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army in Bataan when the Japanese attacked on December 8, 1941. After finding a remedy to cure gaseous gangrene, Dr. Adamo saved many lives before being captured and surviving the Bataan Death March. Coincidentally, Celly's uncle, a general in the Philippines Army, also survived the Bataan Death March. After the war, amazingly, they both lived long lives.

Club Business

Don't forget our monthly meeting this Saturday at the Kyoto Japanese Buffet & Grill in Brea.