What does Memorial Day really stand for?
Ran Chavez, Director of the Veterans Band of Corpus Christi says, "Memorial Day first of all is not for me. It’s not for us. It’s for them."
‘Them,’ are those who have died fighting for our country. Memorial Day is a day to remember the fallen.
Although Memorial Day is usually the weekend that kicks off summer, it is not a "happy" holiday. You should never say, "Happy Memorial Day."
"Please, don’t say happy Memorial Day to me. Because it’s not a happy day for us, especially to us who served and who saw them fall in the field of battle," says Chavez, who was a combat medic in the Vietnam War. He also lost many of his friends that he fought side by side with.
Chavez has devoted most of his life to remembering those brave men and women from the Coastal Bend, that have fought for our country. He believes the best way to celebrate Memorial Day, is not have a celebration but celebrate someone’s life.
"Take time to remember someone," says Chavez, "from your class, from your neighborhood, from your city, from your county. Learn at least one name and carry it in your heart."
If you would like to attend a Memorial Day service this weekend, the Veterans Band of Corpus Christi will be traveling to numerous places to commemorate those that have fallen.
- Friday, May 25, 10 am: NAS Corpus Christi
- Friday, May 25, 2 pm: Senior Residential, Mathis, TX
- Saturday, May 26, 10 am: Robstown, Memorial Park Cemetery
- Saturday, May 26, 12 pm: Fulton, Legends Saloon
- Saturday, May 26, 3 pm: Corpus Christi, H-E-B Plus! On Saratoga
- Sunday, May 27, 1 pm: Corpus Christi, Memory Gardens Funeral Home & Cemetery
- Sunday, May 27, 5:30 pm: Portland, City Hall Memorial
- Monday, May 28, 10 am: Corpus Christi, Sherrill Park
- Monday, May 28, 12 pm: Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery
- Monday, May 28, 2 pm: Rockport, Veterans Memorial Park
