The "Happy Memorial Day!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sunday, May 26, and I'm reading my local newspaper, Sunday LNP which happens to be celebrating 225 years of publishing newspapers for the city of Lancaster as well as surrounding towns.  That's a lot of years, but the news never seems to stop happening in this city of 60,000 people.  At the beginning of the year the Sunday newspaper began to republish the front page of newspapers from the past.  They have been very interesting to read and I posted a few of them on my blog a few weeks ago.  The newspaper has also published past editorials every Sunday that are also extremely interesting to read.  Most are based on the political atmosphere of our country, as well as county, but every now and again they may be humorous as well as informational.  Today's addition to the editorials from the past deals with Memorial Day so I thought it would be interesting to post it today for you to also read.  It was originally posted on Thursday, May 26, 1966.  Can something written for the newspaper 53 years ago have any relevance or meaning for today's society.  Check it out and decide for yourself.  The following was written by either the editor or a staff member of the Lancaster Newspaper.  I hope your Memorial Day has meaning for you and if you happen to be a United States veteran, I personally want to thank you for your service.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Lancaster, PA., New Era - Thursday, May 26, 1966

Our Ideas...

Don't Make It YOUR Memorial Day!

      Will you be involved in a fatal automobile crash over the Memorial Day weekend?  Or will you get through it unscathed?

    The question is quite relevant, for at least one person dies by auto here every week, on the average, based on an annual toll.

     Memorial Day weekend is the start for the summer season.  From now until Labor Day, the number of pleasure seekers on the highways will zoom by millions.

     Those who use the highways are advised against speeding by Harry H. Brainerd, state commissioner of traffic safety.

     While there is much controversy as to whether speed causes fatal accidents, Brainerd says, one factor must be considered:

     Speed in one way or another accounted for 56.2 % of all the violations reported in connection with fatal accidents in Pennsylvania in 1965.

     Autoists will be well advised to enter the highways with caution, for the chances of being hurt or killed in an auto smashup are far too high to disregard.

     The state's "Stay-Alive-Five" rules apply this weekend as they do on every day of the year:

     1. Allow plenty of time for your trip.

     2. Adjust your speed to traffic, road and weather conditions.

     3. Never drink before driving.

     4. Obey traffic signs and laws.

     5. Stay alert for the mistakes of others.

     Don't let this Memorial Day become YOUR Memorial Day.  Drive to help others and yourself stay alive.