These heroes are dead. They died for liberty. They died for us. They are at rest. They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines. They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest.
To many, Memorial Day is a great excuse for a three-day weekend. It’s also known as the day that marks the official start of summer and a day devoted to picnics and getting great deals at the mall. However, the true meaning of Memorial Day goes far beyond barbecues and mattress sales.
There are some who will argue that Memorial Day is happy, given the freedoms we enjoy. They say it’s perfectly alright to say “Happy Memorial Day” as a greeting over the coming three-day weekend.
That’s nonsense.
Radio stations mark the occasion to promote a weekend of “Beaches, Music and Barbecues!” “We’re your Memorial Day station with everything you need to kick off the summer in style!”
That’s also nonsense.
If you want to celebrate our nation and our freedoms, there’s a day for that – July 4, Independence Day. On that day, you can light up some illegal fireworks, guzzle your beverage of choice and otherwise show your American pride … and be “happy” about it.
But saying “Happy Memorial Day” is like saying “Congratulations on your Grandma’s Death.”
There is nothing remotely “Happy” about Memorial Day. It is a day to be commemorated, not celebrated. It is supposed to be a day of quiet reflection, remembrance, tribute and rendering honors to those who have given their lives to guarantee you the freedom to be able to take full advantage of the rights their deaths secured for you.
It’s bad enough that Memorial Day is supposed to be commemorated on May 30th … not May 27th, 28th, 29th or May 31st. It makes no difference on what day of the week the 30th falls, that’s when Memorial Day is supposed to be observed. That solemn tradition ended over fifty years ago.
That’s because the United States Congress, in 1968, passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to give Americans 3-day weekends. After all, what’s more important … one-hundred-plus years of American tradition or one more 3-day weekend?
It’s bad enough few Americans understand that Veterans Day in November is intended to honor all those who have worn a uniform serving in this nation’s Military, especially those still living. But it’s pitiful that most Americans can’t seem to comprehend that Memorial Day is the one day a year when we are asked to remember those who gave their lives for this country.
Let me repeat that … they gave their LIVES.
Most of them were teenagers or in their twenties. Many of them left behind a spouse after being married for a very short period of time. Some of them left behind infant children who grew up never knowing one of the two people who brought them into this world. All of them had plans for a full and long life, but they interrupted those plans because they knew that serving their country, and the risks that commitment entailed, was more important than life itself.
Their dreams and their expectations ended suddenly on a battlefield, usually in some foreign land, or during a secret mission to ensure this country is not attacked without warning. Some of them are buried in unmarked graves on foreign soil or rest forever in the sea. Some became missing in the fog of war and will never be accounted for.
As Americans, we need to remember why Memorial Day is special. It’s not about picnics, trips to the beach, or a countdown of the 100 top summer songs. It’s not about ball games, car deals or summer clothing sales. It’s about honor, duty and the ultimate sacrifice. It’s about people who decided that the United States was worth dying for.
And one more thing…
Freedom is just a fancy word to many but to those who risked everything and to those who lost their beloved warriors and have only their names on a gravestone left to them, freedom is the crown. It is their crown but it is we who get to wear it. They earned it for us all to wear. Let us use our freedoms well and honorably.
There are many issues which divide us as a nation, and of course it is your right as an American to speak your mind, but on Memorial Day – a hallowed day of remembrance – do not abuse those warriors who protected the very freedoms that permit you to speak it.
Set aside negativity and anger. Give the Facebook political rhetoric the day off. Remember instead the heroes who have given their lives – from Lexington to Afghanistan, and all of the too many wars in between.
“They hover as a cloud of witnesses above this Nation.”
We owe them a day filled with quiet dignity, respect and gratitude. After everything they did for us, we most certainly owe them that.
I remember as a child in grade school, in northern Vermont, we celebrated by Decoration Day, as it was originally called. We would take lilac, blossoms and small flags to a local cemetery to decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers. Things sure have changed a lot since way back then. But I have always remained reverent about memorial day, as my dad was in the Navy, and aboard a ship that was torpedoed. He never talked about it very much, but he lost.a ot of his shipmates. May they all rest in peace. They served and gave the greatest sacrifice of all.
I have the same grade school memories at East School in Springfield. Indeed, times have changed a lot since then. My dad was also in the Navy and the ship he served on was later torpedoed about 10 years after he left the service. It is a damn shame that people have forgotten what this weekend is all about.
You are so spot on my friend!!! I have said so many of the same thing for years … could never figure out why it’s “happy Memorial Day” when it is meant to honor the fallen?? 🙁 I think as a nation we have lost site of a lot of things.
You have a safe weekend!
XXOO
Penny, there is absolutely nothing “happy” about it!
Stay safe this weekend!
XOXO
Good Morning Ray 🙂 I am going to share your post. Ted & I left silk flowers at cemeteries this year; red, white & blue for those who served & colored for their families. Not all died in the wars but all are gone now so we honor them. We had a brief conversation with a younger lady at a diner we stopped at who seemed surprised we were leaving flowers at cemeteries. Not this year but we have even taken grandchildren in the past to help. Have a good weekend. Thank you for posting this. Enjoy your Father’s Day weekend. Ted & I have a “golden diploma” ceremony for his 50th, the oldest great granddaughter’s High School graduation, SHS classmate meet at Fergie’s & then he is watching the parade with my brother Ernie. I am going to our 55th banquet & he is going to his 50th in Rutland that weekend. Lee & Ted
Lee & Ted, thank you for sharing my post, and thank you remembering those who have fallen.
Sounds like the two of you have plenty of activities coming up. I hope you enjoy them all!
This is beautiful. I’m sharing it on my page.
Thank you, Nancy ❤️
Dear Ray, you are so good at expressing the feelings in my heart. Sitting in our backyard, with the National Veterans Cemetery in view, we can see the flags waving high upon the hill. I was out at 8am to hang 2 Quilts of Valor over our garage facing the street, to remind all who pass by that this is a hallowed day. One quilt is a memory from my childhood, when Mom and Dad made the trip to the Cemetery to trim the grass, plant geraniums and ensure there was a small flag waving above my Grandpa’s grave.
May you find peace in knowing so many share in your refections. Stay well, my friend. ❤️ ps I too will share your post.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Bonnie ❤️