Memorial Day is an American federal holiday currently observed on the last Monday in May. The holiday remembers and honors military men and women who died while on duty in service to America. Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, was observed on May 30 of each year. That practice would remain from 1868, when it was first observed, until 1970.

On Memorial Day, many Americans are given the day off from work, schools and government offices are closed, stores entice customers to spend money via sales, and families enjoy cookouts.

Still, others will remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice via parades and ceremonies placing the American flag and flowers on the graves of the fallen heroes.

Frequently, Memorial Day acknowledgments are made “to all who served.” While it is true that we appreciate and honor everyone who has fought for our country, Memorial Day remembers and honors those who died while serving our country. Veterans Day, which is observed on November 11, honors all who served in the American military.

On this day of solemnity and remembrance, it also seems inappropriate to use the greeting, “Happy Memorial Day.” Let us honor our fallen heroes and pray for their families who are still with us.

In remembrance of Sgt. Edmond L. Randle, Jr. of Miami Gardens who became the first documented South Florida soldier to be killed by anti-US insurgents in Iraq on January 17, 2004. Randle was one of three soldiers who died that day when their vehicle was struck by a homemade explosive device near Baghdad.

Three years ago today, Sandra Bland died while in police custody in Waller County, Texas. She had been arrested three days earlier for not using her turn signal. Never forget her. Don’t stop fighting for social justice. #SayHerName 

On this day, we celebrate Memorial Day in the United States. While it was designed as a solemn celebration of those who lost their lives in military service to this country, it has evolved into a weekend of parties, vacations, cookouts and shopping. Memorial Day is also frequently confused with Veterans Day which is November 11, and honors everyone who served in the military.

At 3 p.m. Today, I ask you to join me in a nationally-observed moment of silence in appreciation of the ultimate sacrifice made by American soldiers in service to this country. Thank you. And thank you to our fallen heroes.

Related Link:
History of Memorial Day

Keith Lamont Scott with wife and son.

Source: GoFundMe

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department finally released video of the CMPD confrontation with Keith Lamont Scott. The gut-wrenching video of a portion of the incident filmed by Scott’s wife, Rakeyia, was released by the family two days ago. Rakeyia Scott warned police her husband had a TBI (traumatic brain injury). 

In the police dash cam video, Keith Lamont Scott can be seen exiting his vehicle and walking backwards following police commands. A few seconds later, as Scott is walking backwards, he is shot multiple times. Why? He was not threatening anyone. He was not reaching for anything. Keith Lamont Scott was compliant. That was cold-blooded murder by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. 

The officer(s) who fired shots at Scott need to be fired and arrested. Whoever fires them needs to fire the Police Chief Kerr Putney also. There needs to be an investigation of how a weapon Scott was supposed to have, was introduced into this situation. It’s now crystal clear why Chief Putney didn’t want to release that damning video earlier. 

May peaceful protests continue in Charlotte-Mecklenburg and grow throughout the United States until the family of Keith Lamont Sott gets justice for his death.

Sign in South Africa during apartheid.

It's way too early since the death of former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, for folks to twist his legacy for their political gain. However, just hours after Mandela's death, former Senator from Pennsylvania and former presidential candidate Rick Santorumt did just that. Santorum actually compared he GOP fight against the Affordable Care Act to the horrendous sacrifices of Nelson Mandela and the horrendous environment that was apartheid. Sad, just sad but what should one expect since ACA was previously equated to Hurricane Katrina?

If Santorum chooses to run for president again, this interview will be used against him without a doubt. On the flip side, there is an element of voters that will be convinced to vote for him because of his commentary. Fortunately, there are far too many more reasonable Americans to allow him to prevail.

Photo:   Transparency In Sport

Nelson Mandela (july 18, 1918 - December 5, 2013)

Millions of people around the world are devastated by the transition of former South African President Nelson Mandela. At ninety-five years old and still fighting health challenges, we knew this day was inevitable.

Social media and mainstream media exploded with tributes to the man who spent 27 years in prison and fought for the civil rights of blacks in South Africa. Sadly but not unexpected, some people took the opportunity to use this great man’s death to make crude jokes and display other instances of disrespect.

No matter the detractors, Nelson Mandela’s legacy as a leader, an activist and a compassionate gentleman will live on in perpetuity. So much of South African history and the history of people of color around the world is intertwined. Mandela united ethnically diverse coalitions of people around the globe in their universal call for his release from prison or sanctions calling for divestment by corporate giants. That was truly a period of ‘Power to the People’. 

Upon his release from and throughout his election and tenure as South Africa's first black President, Mr. Mandela remained a statesman. Rather than get bogged down in sadness, let's use this moment in history, while reports on his life permeate the media, to teach or reintroduce others, especially children, to the legacy of Nelson Mandela. He was a true leader. He was imperfect. He will be missed.

Thank you, Mr. Mandela!

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In Memory of Sgt. Edmond L. "Dakie" Randle

I do believe in our zest to show rightfully show appreciation to our service members, we have blurred Veterans Day with Memorial Day, thus not showing proper reverence on this solemn day of remembrance.

Here is one of the FAQs (frequently asked questions) from the Department of Veterans Affairs:

Q. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

A. Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty.

Let’s live in appreciation of the service of our men and women every day whether they are living or deceased or made the ultimate sacrifice while in service or transitioned through other means. For those service members who lost their lives while in service to our country, today is their day, let’s honor them accordingly.

Photo:  2012 Election Central

Related links:

Memorial Day

South Florida veterans: Memorial Day is a day to mourn, not celebrate

Michael Jackson has transitioned from this world to the next. It was difficult to accept the inevitable when hearing rumors of his death and then the confirmation of those rumors.

His death was the lead story on all the major news networks and the subject of blog posts. Celebrities and random fans were interviewed. His videos were broadcast on several channels. It was surreal.

Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm, Thursday, June 25, 2009. This is Day One after his passing. It's still very sad. Michael's death is such a universal loss. I couldn't relate to the loss some folks said they experienced when Elvis Pressley died but now I can.

My memories of Michael Jackson begin with the first performance of The Jackson 5 on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was obvious then that Michael was a star.

The controversy later in his life did not diminish his remarkable talent. Michael Jackson was an entertainer. He passed just months away from his 51^st birthday and had been performing since he was four. Wow.

Michael Jackson is frequently described as child-like but his maturation is obvious in his songs and videos. Check out Black or White, Man in the Mirror, Remember the Time or In the Closet. His body of work is so extensive that he will live on through his music, songs, movies and videos.

Let's pray for Michael's family and that his soul is at peace. Ashe'.

Photo: Fanpop.com

Mainstream media has inundated readers, listeners, and viewers with coverage of recent Somali piracy incidents off the waters of Africa. America waited anxiously for the outcome of the hostage situation that saw Maersk Alabama ship Capt. Richard Phillips in custody for five days.

The captain regained his freedom because of the successful execution of a rescue plan by Navy SEALs and a host other folks. The three captors on the lifeboat with the captain were killed and one captor was taken into custody. This post is not so much about that particular incident as much as why it occurred in the first place.

As an American and citizen of the world, I was a bit perturbed that such a widespread and lucrative illegal industry has existed for almost two decades. What's up with that? The millions of dollars lost to pirates and the hundreds of sailors held hostage was as newsworthy when the incidents started in the early 90's as it is now.

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your perspective of this issue; the four pirates on the Alabama picked the wrong ship to rob. The media onslaught was tremendous. Resolution of this hostage situation would be televised, tweeted and broadcast using all mediums available. After all that hoopla, piracy continues.

One has to wonder, even as lucrative as piracy has become, why the Somalis are involved in piracy in the first place. The obvious answer is the money but there is another side to the situation that needs equal coverage.

Quite simply, commercialized fishing by other countries decimated Somalia's fishing industry and many Somalis are merely trying to survive. There are also reported instances of industrial pollution and shootings of innocent Somali fishermen. The Somali piracy issue is more complex than some may want known to the public.

When all is said and done, a happy medium must be reached because the world cannot tolerate the lawlessness of the pirates; the Somali people need economic viability and a stable government. Let's not kid ourselves; conceptually, the actions of the Somali pirates are the same as the robber barons of Wall Street.

Related Links:

How Somalia's Fishermen Became Pirates

Somali pirates not due to weak government

Somali pirates living the high life

I just watched a moving tribute to Marie Olbermann, mother of MSNBC's Keith Olbermann on his show Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Sadly, Mrs. Olbermann passed away.

She was quite a lady and well-known for her love of major league baseball. I have not been a Keith Olbermann fan long enough to know of her getting beaned by Chuck Knoblauch and the subsequent celebrity to follow. She seemed to be quite feisty and a lot of fun to be with.

My prayers are with Keith Olbermann, his dad and the rest of Marie Olbermann's family, friends and loved ones. Ashe'.

Read Keith Olbermann's tribute to his mom here.