Over the weekend, a brief report was aired on the cable news station that just happened to be on television as I plopped down in my Parisian leather club chair to take a breather about four young Americans who died this week in Iraq. Does anyone in America remember that there are young Americans dying in Iraq anymore?
Our current wars seem like such old news, disinteresting and passé. We’ve elected a new president who wants us out, though we still have Americans on the ground in foreign lands waiting for a seat on the plane home. Some have died. More will die. But we’ve moved on.
Last Memorial day, I wrote:
Before considering what to write, or whether to write at all, about Memorial Day, I took a look at my post from last year. It was a brief post, but made its point:The catch phrase today is that freedom is not free. But what is this freedom that is worthy fighting, and dying, for? To show our respect for those who gave their lives for freedom, those of us who remain should be willing to stand up for that freedom and defend it. We don’t fight for a particular President. We don’t fight for a political party. We don’t fight for some transitory policy. We fight for enduring freedom. Don’t give up the fight. Take a moment today to think about it. Others have given their lives for it. It’s not much to do.A year has past, and nothing has changed. Young people are still dying in Iraq, and we’re still listening to people whose lives are not at risk debate about whether and when they can be brought home. We’ve paid the price, but are still watching freedom ebb away.
Is it not heartbreaking to know that another year has past, and yet we’ve accomplished so little? If you have any feelings about the men and women who have suffered and died in the defense of our nation, then consider what we can do to give meaning to their loss. Each of us has an opportunity every day to honor those whose sacrifice dwarfs our own. To honor those who have died in the service of the United States of America, do something to protect and defend our freedom. It won’t kill you.
If nothing else, think of someone other than yourself today.
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I wrote this on my Facebook page this morning…
My Memorial Day, 2009
The first message in my email inbox today was a well-wisher saying, “Happy Memorial Day.” I don’t want any more of these messages. Memorial Day is a remembrance, not a celebration. It was not intended to be an opportunity to grill hot dogs or buy cars or tacky furniture at the rock-bottom, blowout lowest prices of the year. Memorial Day was intended to be the day when you dig out photographs of Grandpa in uniform and explain to your children why he went to Southeast Asia for a year before college. This is the day when you honor those who have given their final measure of dedication to this nation.
I miss my friends so much there are days when I can scarcely catch my breath. They are the last thought I have when falling asleep, and the first when waking. They came from every corner of the country and volunteered. They came eagerly, and ultimately, gave all they had. I urge each of you to honor my fallen friends by serving your community. Mentor a child. Register voters. Paint over graffiti. Coach a youth athletic team. Do something.
For my Code Pink friends: For one day, let it rest. Protest political decisions, but leave those who have served in uniform alone. We served for innumerable reasons, but our service gave you a free nation in which to raise your voice in dissent.
I also reject categorically the pseudo-patriotic Harley riding trash that put on “Patriot Guard” colors and circle like buzzards at the funeral of every fallen man and woman in uniform. These are the same men and women who scream invective at hard working people who yearn to be new Americans. You are not patriots. You are puppets of extreme political ideology. You shame the memory of those you purport to honor. Your peculiar nativist logic is intellectually bankrupt. Your forefathers met the same resistance at Ellis Island. America’s strength comes from diversity. Visiting the same “me first” crap on new immigrants perpetuates the same hazing that greeted your forefathers.
Think about it.
J. C. Johnson
AWCS (AW) (CAC)
United States Navy, ret.
Thanks for sharing that J.C.
Earlier today, Radley Balko wrote that it didn’t sound right to say “Happy Memorial Day.” I responded that the only people to whom a greeting is due won’t care what you say, just that you remember.