A veteran salutes during the Memorial Day Program at Faribault’s Central Park. Minnesota Prairie Roots file photo.
IN THE BUSYNESS of this holiday weekend, please take time to remember the real reason for Memorial Day. It is about honoring the men and women who died in service to our country.
My dad carried home a July 31, 1953, memorial service bulletin from Sucham-dong, Korea. In the right column is listed the name of his fallen buddy, Raymond W. Scheibe.
Read about my dad’s war memories in a shoebox and how he kept the faith on the battlefields of Korea. Read, too, about his buddy Ray, who died there.
Pause. Reflect. Honor. That is the essence of Memorial Day. Not the start of summer.
© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I always love your Memorial Day posts because of your memories of your dad. Thank you!
You are welcome.
Pause, Moment of Silence, Remember and Most of All Honor Those that have Served and Serving. Thank You for ALL YOU DO in SERVING OUR COUNTRY!!! I am wearing my favorite patriotic shirt today with white glittery stars and red, white and blue all over it. Happy Day – Enjoy
I can just picture your patriotic shirt. Thanks for always honoring those who have served and are serving. I know there’s a long history of service in your family.
On May 5, 1868, an organization of Union army veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the War dead. Some actually observed “Decoration Day” as early as 1866. By the end of WW I, all American War dead were to be so honored. This includes Confederates.
Funny you should mention shoes boxes (another article). One friend of mine (another veteran) had a shoe box under his bed. Every morning he would get up, open that box, stare into it, close it until it came time to go back to bed when he would follow the same ritual. I once asked him about that ritual. He stated that is where he kept his emotions.
Thank you for sharing that story about your friend and his shoebox. I wonder if my dad felt the same, a place to box his emotions.
Thank you for sharing these stories of your dad, Ray and Ray’s daughter. I’m so glad you reached out to her.
Your father’s strong faith seems to be a fine example of getting through wars of any kind.
Yes, Dad did set a fine example of faith, definitely useful in “getting through wars of any kind.”
I enjoyed reading your Warner Press blog post, it Tugs at my heart as reminds me of those who fought for our freedom, the ones who lost their lives and the ones who are still serving. I am grateful for your Dad and all those he served with. Thank you is not enough.
You’re right in that thank you does not seem like enough. I appreciate your heartfelt words.