Happy Memorial Day?
This weekend as Americans mark the unofficial start to the summer season, they do so on one of our nation's most hallowed holidays, Memorial Day.
To many millions of Americans, this weekend is a great time to bring the old barbecue out of winter hibernation and flip a few steaks, have a couple of cold brewskis, fill up the Walmart special kiddie pool, and let the kids slosh around all day.
To a few million Americans, this most revered holiday is about a lot more. Let's be straight, Memorial Day is not about thanking Veterans or Service-members for their service. This is not their day. Memorial Day is about recognizing and appreciating those Americans who gave their last breath for our country, usually in a land far away. It is solely dedicated to remembering those we've lost. For many of us who have served these most recent conflicts as with war veterans of previous eras, this holiday has a face or two or ten. It is personal to us. So we figure it is personal to everyone and we also figure all Americans share in our understanding of this solemn date. And so I recognize the frustrating memes and photos and posts from my Veteran and current military friends who are trying to place the emphasis on our brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Here's the thing though, the vast majority of Americans are not tied to the military. They don't know anyone in uniform. There may be some uncle who shows up to family get-togethers who was in the Army years ago or served as a Marine back in Vietnam, but to most Americans, uniformed service is some abstract concept they only catch a glimpse of in movies. Here's the other thing, they're Americans. They can celebrate this weekend however the heck they want. That is what we Soldiers live and die for, so that our citizens are free to aspire to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness however they want. Americans aren't required to understand or appreciate this holiday. They sleep under the blanket of freedom our servicemembers provide, but our citizens do not owe us anything other than to live their lives fully under that blanket of freedom. Would I appreciate it if more of them understood this holiday or the ultimate sacrifice some have paid? Absolutely. But we need to be careful about "demanding" anything of our citizens. We join our military to “serve” our nation, not be served by it.
And so today, if a citizen who simply doesn't know any better thanks me for my service or wishes me a "Happy" Memorial Day and if the situation is appropriate, I will cordially explain the difference between Memorial Day and the other holidays which honor our military members. Not because I’m offended, but as an opportunity to connect with them. If the circumstance isn’t right, I'll kindly smile and thank them for the sentiment. I'll accept it on behalf of my brothers and sisters who can no longer hear the appreciation expressed by that one citizen. To me, that is the right thing to do.
To many millions of Americans, this weekend is a great time to bring the old barbecue out of winter hibernation and flip a few steaks, have a couple of cold brewskis, fill up the Walmart special kiddie pool, and let the kids slosh around all day.
To a few million Americans, this most revered holiday is about a lot more. Let's be straight, Memorial Day is not about thanking Veterans or Service-members for their service. This is not their day. Memorial Day is about recognizing and appreciating those Americans who gave their last breath for our country, usually in a land far away. It is solely dedicated to remembering those we've lost. For many of us who have served these most recent conflicts as with war veterans of previous eras, this holiday has a face or two or ten. It is personal to us. So we figure it is personal to everyone and we also figure all Americans share in our understanding of this solemn date. And so I recognize the frustrating memes and photos and posts from my Veteran and current military friends who are trying to place the emphasis on our brothers and sisters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Here's the thing though, the vast majority of Americans are not tied to the military. They don't know anyone in uniform. There may be some uncle who shows up to family get-togethers who was in the Army years ago or served as a Marine back in Vietnam, but to most Americans, uniformed service is some abstract concept they only catch a glimpse of in movies. Here's the other thing, they're Americans. They can celebrate this weekend however the heck they want. That is what we Soldiers live and die for, so that our citizens are free to aspire to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness however they want. Americans aren't required to understand or appreciate this holiday. They sleep under the blanket of freedom our servicemembers provide, but our citizens do not owe us anything other than to live their lives fully under that blanket of freedom. Would I appreciate it if more of them understood this holiday or the ultimate sacrifice some have paid? Absolutely. But we need to be careful about "demanding" anything of our citizens. We join our military to “serve” our nation, not be served by it.
And so today, if a citizen who simply doesn't know any better thanks me for my service or wishes me a "Happy" Memorial Day and if the situation is appropriate, I will cordially explain the difference between Memorial Day and the other holidays which honor our military members. Not because I’m offended, but as an opportunity to connect with them. If the circumstance isn’t right, I'll kindly smile and thank them for the sentiment. I'll accept it on behalf of my brothers and sisters who can no longer hear the appreciation expressed by that one citizen. To me, that is the right thing to do.
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