The White House Commission on Remembrance

Moment of Remembrance Hasn't Caught On

A tiny White House commission has spent the past five years and $1.5 million trying to bring a new American tradition to Memorial Day's barbecues, parades and sales: A moment of remembrance, a sigh, perhaps a prayer. Just a 30-second pause.

The results, so far, are mixed.

...[A] few towns, businesses and organizations have paused silently at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.

In general, though, the commission's hyper-energetic executive director, Carmella LaSpada, has been somewhat frustrated by the lack of interest.

"We're a little disappointed," she said. "What has been the problem is that we haven't gotten the support that we would like to have from the media."

This AP story is rather critical of LaSpada and the tax dollars being allotted to the commission.

It's considered wasteful, in terms of money, in terms of time, and in terms of effort.

The White House Commission on Remembrance was "signed into law by President Clinton, and launched under President Bush," according to AP.

The Commission's Mission statement:

The White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance was established by Congress as an independent government agency. The Commission encourages Americans to honor the sacrifices of America’s fallen and the families they left behind. It promotes acts of remembrance throughout the year and asks Americans to pay our debt of gratitude in memory of our fallen by giving something back to the Nation. The Commission is also tasked to unite the country in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.

The Commission is dedicated to educating this and future generations of Americans to remember the sacrifices and costs in human life made to preserve our liberties, and to instill in them an understanding of what it means to be an American.

The Commission's logo:

The Continental Congress, in the first Flag Act, intended the stars signifying each state on the blue field of our flag represent a new Constellation. The light of this new constellation has been kept bright by the sacrifices of all our fallen, thus the star and flame are combined in the Commission on Remembrance logo.

The flame represents the light of remembrance, hope and freedom.

The media have the power to get the message out.

The entire country knew that the 2006 American Idol would be crowned on Wednesday night. Everyone seems to be aware of when the Super Bowl is played.

If they wanted to, the media could promote the Moment of Remembrance with the same vigor that they use to profit from the American Idol machine or the Super Bowl.
Frankly, it shouldn't take five years to establish the Moment of Remembrance as a Memorial Day tradition.

We know that the media are very effective at hyping an event.

If the media would cooperate, the National Moment of Remembrance would be a well-known effort by now.

I don't know which is more disgraceful --

that the power of the media isn't used to unite the country in a Moment of Remembrance "to honor the sacrifices of America’s fallen and the families they left behind"

OR
that so many Americans observe Memorial Day as summer's official kick-off rather than a time to reflect on the tremendous human cost of freedom.


At 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, say a prayer of remembrance for America's fallen and a prayer of gratitude for the gift of freedom that they gave you.


Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

(John 15:13)