At latest count, the Department of Defense estimates there are some 24 million living American veterans, and we are losing WWII veterans at the staggering rate of more than 900 a day. An estimated 40 million men and women have served in the U.S. military from the American Revolution onward.
Though large, mere numbers can only begin to frame the true meaning of Memorial Day. Numbers obscure the human elements, transform uncountable personal sacrifices, sorrows and joys into an impersonal grand sweep of history.
Please join us in remembering
and honoring those who have given their
lives in service to our country.
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Memorial Day is not for numbers. It is for those who gave all in defense of their country. For those who fought and survived to mourn comrades who did not. For those who remained at home and dreaded the approach of the parson’s carriage, of the telegraph boy, of a solemn-faced officer or a stricken friend. For those whose hands move unaware over a uniform, a clutch of medals, or a tri-folded flag, seeking courage and solace.
Memorial Day's origins are a bit murky, but the observance arose out of the national catastrophe of the American Civil War. North and South differed over the observance (and the soldiers they honored) until after WWII. Congress standardized the observance on the last Monday in May with the National Holiday Act of 1971.
This year, after five years of fighting in Iraq and longer in Afghanistan, Memorial Day, the solemn salutes at cemeteries and monuments will include on their honor rolls the nearly 3,600 young American men and women who have died in combat. Many of those fallen warriors served as United States Marines, to whom we have a special tie through our work on Semper Fi, the magazine of the Marine Corps League.
It has been said recently, "America is not at war. America is at the mall. America’s military is at war." For many, Memorial Day has devolved into the unofficial start of summer - a time for big sales, vacation getaways, eating and drinking, sunburn and so-called blockbuster movie debuts.
Its original purpose, to honor those who fell in battle, has been largely pushed aside over the years. However, with the war in Iraq a central issue in the upcoming presidential election, perhaps more Americans than usual on this day will pause to think about the sacrifices that have protected our freedoms.
In May 2000, President Bill Clinton issued a memorandum to the heads of executive departments and agencies urging them to promote a "National Moment of Remembrance" on every Memorial Day to try to reawaken awareness. The resolution asks that every American, everywhere, pause for a minute at 3 p.m. (1500) local time (PDF download) "to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all."
We hope that you will join us in setting your watches to 3 p.m., to reflect for a moment on the sacrifices of every generation.
Comments (1)
Well said. We'll be thinking of both of my grandfathers who served in WWII and were fortunate to have been amongst those who returned home afterwards to enjoy many more years before passing on. We'll also be thinking of those who we have no direct blood ties to but have nonetheless volunteered to serve on our behalf.
Posted by Patrick | May 23, 2008 8:58 PM
Posted on May 23, 2008 20:58