At CMS Mid-Atlantic, Inc. in New Jersey and New York where we provide services to cemeteries and memorial parks we are ready for the tens of thousands of families and friends who will visit this weekend to pay tribute to those who served our country in time of peace and war to protect our freedoms we continue to enjoy because of their sacrifices. Memorial Day is a time when we should visit area cemeteries; these are special places and healing spaces… The true meaning of Memorial Day is alive and strong in our cemeteries. In the hearts, minds and souls of the people who work in our cemeteries there is a special meaning to readying our cemeteries and memorial parks from the winter and early spring conditions for Memorial Day visits. Families can be sure that our cemeteries and memorial parks are ready and that our staff will be there to answer questions and help all visitors who arrive with their families to pay tribute all those who served and those they love… I want to thank all the staff who have completed their work for our lot owners… In closing my thoughts this morning, I offer a few questions for you to ponder this weekend as we honor those who served:
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, how many steps does the guard take during his walk across and in front of the Tomb of the Unknowns and Why? How many seconds does the soldier pause when he does an about face and does the return walk and why? The answer is twenty-one steps and twenty-one seconds. Twenty-one steps and seconds match with the twenty-one gun salute that we give to veterans; the highest honor given our military… B. E. Stoecklein | 
