This Memorial Day I wanted to take a moment to reflect on
the brave men and women who have given their lives in service to the United
States.
I hesitate to say, “Happy Memorial Day” for the simple fact
that labeling this day as ‘happy’ seems a little insensitive. It is, after all, a day to commemorate those
who lost their lives, and not, as some would think, a day to gorge ourselves on
potato salad and burgers, or snag the latest deal down at the local mall.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good burger as much as anyone
else, and maybe it’s just me, but, the blatant commercializing of the day to
honor our military dead seems a bit irreverent, and well, to put it plainly,
disrespectful.
How many of us ever think of the real meaning behind Memorial Day? Do we know why it was created? Do our children know?
I’m not advocating that we all walk around in sackcloth and
ashes, but I am saying that a part of our ‘celebration’ should be to take a
moment to reflect and remember the dead, those men and women who willingly gave
their lives so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
In fact, in the year 2000, then President Bill Clinton
passed a resolution called, the “National Moment of Remembrance”, which asks
that at 3 p.m. local time all Americans do just that, pause for a full minute
of remembrance and respect to honor our fallen military heroes.
So instead of wishing you a "H---y" Memorial Day, I leave you with this quote from President Truman...
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