We hope people attend one of the many area Memorial Day ceremonies that will take place Monday, May 30.
The freedoms Americans will enjoy on that three-day holiday have been dearly paid for in blood by the approximately 1.3-million soldiers who have died in combat and in other ways during this nation’s wars. Countless more suffered wounds, some – including psychic ones – that never did fully heal.
In the American Civil War, an estimated 620,000 (and possibly even more) died in that terrible conflict, North against South, brother against brother, that kept the United States of America united. It was a massive sacrifice, an upheaval that is hard to imagine, even with the time that has passed and the bitter wounds that have (mostly) healed.
Memorial Day is meant to honor the war dead, but we should also pay our deepest respects to all men and women who have served America, those who suffered injuries and those who did not.
Memorial Day used to be known, after the Civil War, as Decoration Day. It was first celebrated as Memorial Day on May 5, 1966, in Waterloo, New York. It became a national holiday in 1971.
Memorial Day ceremonies typically include flowers and prayers at grave sites, the reading of the names of those who gave their lives for their country, speeches, the posting of the Colors, rifle salutes, the playing of Taps and sometimes parades with tuneful patriotic medleys. People often hold picnics, too – fun things.
But in having holiday fun, Americans should remember – or at least pause to consider – the freedoms they enjoy are not “free.” The United States was founded, literally, on a bloody revolution against Britain. And in the more than 200 years since, wars now and then have claimed so many more lives by soldiers willing to give their all – literally. These soldiers didn’t cause the wars, and some of the wars were unpopular and even divided the nation, as the Vietnam War did. However, it’s so important to remember soldiers served honorably and loyally, no matter how unpopular this or that war happened to be. And all who served – never mind the war – deserve our honor and respect.
Our most recent wars, in Iraq and Afghanistan, have caused the deaths of about 5,300 military personnel – men and women. Many more are suffering from post-traumatic-stress syndrome or from awful wounds that include missing limbs, blindness and other permanent disabilities. There is really no way to recompense fully those who served. The very least we can do is to be sure to thank every veteran from the bottom of one’s heart. Shake their hands, thank them and then ask them if there is anything they need, anything you can do for them.
Attending a Memorial Day is a good way to show our gratitude, and we hope area ceremonies are standing room-only May 30.
