Jay Howell on the West-East German border, 1987
Happy Memorial Day…how does it make you feel to hear that? Does it make you proud to be an American? After all, it’s one of the most patriotic of all American holidays. Do you just shrug your shoulders with a dismissive “meh”, and go back to your X-Box? Or do you grumble about how unfair it is that you have to work, when your cousin Job-Bob has the day off, and is going fishing at CJ Strike?
By the way… my heart does go out to everyone who has to work Monday, and my hat’s off to you.
Is Memorial Day really a day to be happy? After all, a day off is always great, and some camping, fishing, late season spring turkey hunting, or just grilling burgers in the backyard, only makes it better. Yeah, happy times for sure.
But what about those we’re supposed to remember and honor on Memorial Day? Amidst the clutter of sales at the mall, double headers on the TV, and cold adult beverages at the lake, have we lost track of why we have the day off in the first place? Unfortunately, I think anyone with a room temperature IQ has to admit that yes, we have.
That’s why, when I hear someone wish me a “happy” Memorial Day, I feel a little ashamed. Why ashamed? Because we’re enjoying our favorite pastimes, while largely not giving a thought to those who gave their lives to make it possible for us to spend the day binge watching cat videos on You Tube. Maybe not forgetting them, per se, but conveniently pushing their memories aside, because they’re blocking our view of the game.
I once asked a veteran who’s older than I — with whom I share a last name — what he thought an appropriate greeting for Memorial Day would be (yeah, I’m talking about you, Dad). He gave it some thought and suggested “Have a Reflective Memorial Day” Awkward, yes, but spot on. Be happy, by all means, but be reflective of all the blessings you enjoy each and every day. Blessings made possible because, since the founding of our nation, brave Americans have given the gift of life — THEIR lives — to you.
I served in peacetime, and never lost a buddy to combat…not that I know of, anyway. The men of my family have all served in the military, and I’m blessed to have never lost any of them to combat. To those of you who have lost loved ones in the service of our nation, peacetime or wartime, I appreciate their service and their sacrifice. I assure you I will think of them on Memorial Day, and every other day of the year.
–Jay Howell
