Memorial Day, 2003, Was Something Special

Memorial Day, 2003, has come and gone but this one was different. Sure, it was a time of school graduations, and the end of school, and the beginning of summer vacations. The sun came out, and it heralded a grand beginning for summer on Lake Lanier, and there were traffic jams in the mountains as the summer season began there. There were sales in the stores, and sunburned backs from skimpier fashions. And there's nothing wrong with all that; that, too, is America at its best as spring turns to summer.

But this year a solid, old-fashioned part of America made a grand return here in Northeast Georgia. We celebrated memorial Day for what it is intended to be: a time when we honor those who have given their lives, and those who have offered their lives, that America might be a free nation. It was called a "Proud To Be An American" weekend, and it lived up to its billing.

This year, as always, veterans groups put flags on the graves of all veterans buried in local cemeteries, but this year there were young people helping out, carrying on the tradition.

This year, the Garden Clubs gave this area its first Blue Star marker, honoring all veterans of all wars, male and female. It's along the highway in front of Gainesville College.

This year, the American Legion triggered a patriotic parade that many say was the biggest since the end of World War II. Who knows how many people saw it, but 2,400 people participated in it.

This year, there was a patriotic program and the dedication of a new monument honoring those who lost their lives in the 9-11 attack on America. And how long has it been since Hall County had a program featuring a Senator, the governor, two Congressmen, the Lieutenant Governor, an ex-governor ... how long?

It was a Memorial day when people were saying, openly and with pride: God Bless America.

This is Gordon Sawyer, from a window on historic Green Street.