I’ve heard various opinions as to the handling of Memorial Day, with each opinion aghast at those who have differing opinions.
Memorial Day began as “Decoration Day” when the veterans of the Union Army—now known as the Grand Army of the Republic—decorated the graves of the Union Civil War Dead with flowers as a tribute to their sacrifice. The Union dead enjoyed a more civilized burial in many cases; for example, at Gettysburg, priority was naturally given to those who had given their lives in defense of the United States. Being July, and hot, by the time they had buried the Union casualties, it was not possible to move many of the Southern dead still lying on the field (military, first responders, and medical people know what I’m saying—I’ll save the rest of you from the details). The only option was to dig a proper grave next to the remains, and roll the body in. These were not marked, nor will they be, since they are a prime target for artifact hunters.
Naturally, the veterans and families of Confederate soldiers had similar memorial practices, so as the nation healed, a single day was chosen to honor all who had died in combat—Memorial Day.
To some, saying, “Happy Memorial Day,” is disrespectful, since it is a day to honor the war dead.
So, what should you say?
I gave this a lot of thought and decided on the following:
- Every Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman or Coast Guard took the oath and the responsibility in order to protect what we hold dear.
- To honor and remember is appropriate.
- However, those who died did so in order that we could enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Therefore, acknowledging that this nation and even this holiday was built on their commitment as well as their sacrifice, I believe that celebrating acknowledges their victory. They protected our right to be the outrageous, unrefined, out of control Americans we were meant to be.
This is a holiday that was “built on the shoulders of giants.”
So enjoy. What if someone wearing “the cloth of our country” who died in the 1860s, or who is the most recent KIA were suddenly allowed to come back? I think he or she would prefer to see families gather, cook outside, smile and laugh because home and hearth, family and friends, the American way is what they wanted to protect.
Happy Memorial Day to the living, thanks to those who gave the last full measure.
sfnowak 
Americans all, Steve. Whether born here or arrived here, Americans all.
May we honor our deceased by saluting and thanking our living. May we remember this Memorial Day that our freedom was not free. And may we always remember our military men and women who are serving now to free others and keep them in our prayers today and always. Amen.
Rick,
I hate to break it to the politicians, but every one of us, with the exception of the Tribes, left/escaped/got kicked out of somewhere else. Bureaucracy aside, if you’re homo sapien and live here and contribute through taxes or other meaningful manner, you’re an American. Sorry that the Bureau of Immigration is underfunded,undermanned and saddled with nineteenth century requirements, but that’s not the deciding factor.
I hate to be blunt, but the twenty year old Mexican who got here by whatever means and plans on staying here and raising a family is paying taxes to support my priorities, and if I don’t croak in the next couple of years, my retirement. Why would a rational person who understands economics believe otherwise.
Oh – and as a small matter, when I was in command over Sailors in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait twenty some Sailors were sworn in as citizens–in theater–in a combat zone–in uniform–MY Sailors. At least as many were waiting for their paperwork and have since become full citizens.
America, I believe, was placed on a far off continent to be a land of INclusion.Inclusion for the Tribes already here, for those who came in the 17th century, the 18th, 19th, 20th, twenty-first and on. I believe it was placed here by God as a second promised land. I don’t want to let Him down.