Page 20 - ATA

A14 LOCAL
Saturday 25 May 2019

Memorial Day

2019 at

Costa Linda

EAGLE BEACH — On Memorial Day
morning in 2002 four US armed
forces veterans, their friends and
families gathered on Eagle Beach
at Costa Linda Beach Resort. The
purpose of the gathering was to
honor all those who had paid the
ultimate sacrifice in the service of
their country. The simple ceremo-
ny has since become an annual
event and has welcomed veterans
from all nations to take part.

Last year Maureen Nadal who is
one of the initiative takers of the
event explains why this gathering is
important. “All these people gave
their lives and service to their coun-
try. My late husband did not want of flowers will be placed in the surf. There will then be
this to stop so continuing this is a a reading of a verse from The Fallen by R.L. Binyon fol-
must-do for me.” lowed by the playing of Taps and the presentation of
arms by the Detail. The Detail will then be dismissed. All
The organization is pleased to say those wishing to join on Memorial Day May 27, 2019 are
that since that first ceremony par- welcomed. They will convene on the beach at 10:00
ticipation has indeed increased AM. There will be coffee, juice and donuts provided by
significantly. From the beginning the Costa Linda Beach Resort.q
they have attempted to keep the
ceremony simple, solemn, and
apolitical. They have kept it sol-
emn for obvious reasons, simple
because of the ages of some of
the vets who might find it difficult
to stand in the sun too long, and
apolitical because they were/are
all visitors in Aruba and understand
that the raising of the American
flag or the singing or playing of
the Stars Spangled banner might
offend some island residents. They
also soon realized that they had
attracted veterans from other na-
tions – Holland, Aruba, and South
Africa to mention a few. So in fair-
ness to all, they thought that large
national banners and anthems
would be inappropriate. However,
they encourage participants to
wear any uniforms or national sym-
bols they wish to wear.
Veterans will gather on the beach
at 10:00 AM May 27, 2019 to form
The Detail. The organization asks
that viewers leave the area of the
beach clear between The Detail
and the surf. There will be a call to
attention followed by a reading
of the poem We Stand by the Sea
(anonymous) as a memorial wreath