It is drizzling outside - seems
appropriate. Good weather for reflection. This is a day for remembering those
that lost their lives in the service of our county. It seems some people don't
understand this designation. Memorial day is to memorialize those that died in
the service of our country. We have Veterans Day to thank and remember all
those that served and returned, and Armed Forces Day to celebrate those that
are currently serving. While there is never a bad day to do any of these
things, today is a day set aside to specifically think of those that are gone
and thank them and their families for their sacrifices.
I am
always taken aback at the salutation of "Happy Memorial Day". No, it
isn't. It is somber, reflective, thankful - not a day of profound grief for
many per se, but, perhaps, a day to commemorate the sacrifices of those that
died, celebrate their lives. Happy? No. Gratitude, yes. Sad that those men and
women gave their lives, yet thankful that they were willing to do so.
There has
to be a better salutation, greeting, sentiment, to attach to this day. I can't
think of one that conveys the proper meaning though. We blithely attach
"Happy" to most of our holidays without a lot of thought to what it
means. Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Easter, Happy Fourth of July, Happy Veteran's
Day, and so on. And many of these holidays are a cause for joy for most people.
Most of them are also a commemoration of someone's sacrifice:
Veteran's Day - so many combat veterans return with scars and
disabilities, many of which are invisible to the rest of us. Even those that
never saw combat made a sacrifice of the ordinary, everyday lives that the rest
of us enjoy to serve, living by someone else's schedule and rules, with the
possibility that their lives may be at risk.
Armed Forces Day - again, those that give up the relative freedom
we have on a daily basis to ensure that we may continue to have those freedoms.
Easter - for believers, Christ's sacrifice for the salvation of us
all.
Thanksgiving - really, isn't this about thanking those that
sacrificed the life they knew for a new life in an unknown land far away, and
being thankful that it worked out.
Fourth of July - celebrating our country, which wouldn't exist
without the sacrifices of those that believed in their right to freedom and self-government.
And of course, today, Memorial Day. We remember, we grieve, we celebrate,
we commemorate, recognize, and give gratitude for those that lost their lives.
Thank a veteran on Veteran's day. But today, ask a veteran about those that
were lost. He or she may not want to answer or talk about it, but on the other
hand, may be grateful for your interest and the chance to share their memories
of a friend and know that we do care.
