By Maggie West / Staff and D. Jefferson Bean / Staff

As flags fly high this Memorial Day, the holiday's true meaning is often forgotten. But to Shawn Hanley and other ex-servicemen and women, Memorial Day only signifies official recognition of a matter that concerns them year round.

Normally, the mention of Hanley's name brings politics to mind. As Fulton County's GOP chairman, he is well known in Georgia's political circles. But as Memorial Day approaches, his plans take him far from the political podium. He's just an ex-Marine.

"It's really about honoring all of those who died to give us all the liberties and freedoms we have today," Hanley said.

As a young man, fresh out of high school, in the fall of '85, Hanley joined the U.S. Marine Corps for four years. "With the onset of the Gulf War, I was reactivated for service in 1990 for Desert Shield and Desert Storm," the veteran shared.

Given his military background, Memorial Day means more to Hanley than barbecues and a long weekend. Although he's planned a few traditional activities with his family, he mentioned, "We're also planning to go to church and pray for all of those families. One of things that's heart-wrenching, I think, over the last decade, is the Iraq War in Afghanistan and all of the motherless and fatherless children that will only remember their parents in pictures or vague memories. And I think it's really a time -- especially this Memorial Day -- when we need to put it into perspective more. We'll be in church praying for those families."

Hanley went on to quote Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address: "'We're here to care for those who have won the battle; their widows and their orphans.' And it's the widows and the orphans out there, I think, that we have to pay special attention to."

NOT FIRED UP ABOUT BIDEN VISIT

The poignant portion of the conversation began as Hanley remembered his three years as deputy secretary of the VA: "We always worked on Memorial Day -- every one of 'em -- you're working. Everyone around Washington is." 

Owing to his firsthand involvement in veterans' issues, Hanley is concerned by what he perceives as official indifference to military personnel who make the ultimate sacrifice -- and to those they leave behind.
Hanle Remembers

 "Our president made the decision to go on vacation to Chicago versus going to Arlington National cemetery and lay the wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier," he said. "Instead, they're sending the vice president who had four draft deferments. I hate to bring politics into it, but that's despicable; a disgrace -- a deliberate spitting in their faces. There's no other interpretation. It's the most despicable act by a president on a weekend that is set aside to honor war dead, their widows, and orphans while we're at war. It's an absolute slap in the face to every Veteran and every American -- Republican or Democrat."

"The irony is that so many veterans and families flow into Washington D.C. this weekend for all the right reasons. They all visit Arlington National Cemetery; they visit the Korean War Memorial, the new World War II Memorial. They visit the Vietnam Memorial. And the president -- our Commander and Chief -- is going to be in Chicago."

The political climate notwithstanding, to Hanley and others like him, Memorial Day is kept with passion and dedication. Each remembers its significance.

"We can't forget the families left behind," he said.