This guy said it better than I could:
Last year, just before Memorial Day, I was in a meeting with an attorney who, although born, raised and educated in the United States was completely clueless as to what Memorial Day was all about. Despite being highly educated and easily more intelligent than myself, she believed Memorial Day was a day to remember any and all lost loved ones.
In discussing everyone’s plans for the upcoming holiday, I commented that I didn’t have any plans other than being sure to put our flag out and to remember all those that had died so that we could be there that day. She responded that her and her family would be remembering her aunt that had passed away at an early age. I was somewhat confused and asked if her aunt had been in the military. She responded that her aunt had not been in the service. I replied that Memorial Day was really about remembering those who have died in our nation’s service. She responded confidently that Memorial Day (she emphasized “Memorial” as if this would make it clearer to me) was about remembering everyone who has died. I just silently nodded and tried to hide my disappointment and disbelief.
Let’s get one thing perfectly clear. And, on this there is no debate. Memorial Day is a very specific well defined day of remembrance solely for those who have died in our nation’s service. It’s not even about honoring those that are currently serving in our armed forces. That day is Armed Forces Day which was just held on the 21st of last month. And, this most sacred of all days, certainly isn’t about remembering some aunt who never saw the inside of a barracks or held a rifle and who didn’t selflessly and heroically lay down her life so that the American people could enjoy the freedoms that are the envy of the world.
Sure, you can celebrate the weighing of people name Chris or Christine on December 25. You can celebrate everyone’s birthday on January 1 and you can celebrate how much you love Doritos on July 4. It’s a free country. We’re not going to chop your head off as happens in some other countries if you don’t toe the line. But, if you want to be right and show some respect for those that paid the ultimate price so that we could sit back and be dumb, fat and lazy if we so choose, then you’ll spend a few minutes today remembering those who have died in our nation’s service. Ideally, you will take a few moments at 3:00 p.m. (local time) during the “National Moment of Remembrance” to pay your respect.
