My Memorial Day Retrospective – What’s It All About?
First, let me say something that few people really know. As a young (19 year old man) I enlisted and spent over four years in the United States Marine Corps. From 1979 to 1983. I left the Corps as a Sergeant. Something that didn’t happen that quickly back in the day. Nonetheless, I was. I loved being a Marine. I was one of The Few, and The Proud. I was one of the best!
I missed Viet Nam by about 4 years. I enlisted during the Iran Hostage Crisis because I’d had it with the way our American citizens were being held against their will for well over a year. I wanted to sign up, go there kick some butt, and bring back our people.
This past weekend I chilled around the house and took a break after all the hard work our team did for the Jam-Athon Concert to raise money for the Salvation Army. I have to admit that I watched a LOT of television and noticed one thing that really seemed to bother me.
As I sat there and thought about it, I first became upset, then emotional, then realized that much of what I was seeing wasn’t really the fault of the people I was watching, but more so that of our society in general. Memorial Day Sale! Now’s the time to buy (insert item here) because we’ve dropped our prices!
Additionally, last week I was on social media and saw a post someone put up where they mentioned that they’d overheard a grown woman say, “so, what’s Memorial Day REALLY all about?” I didn’t know whether to be upset or depressed. Because it only shows that our educational system needs an overhaul if grown folks don’t even know what Memorial Day is about. (Hint: “Memorial”)
I was also thinking about how I felt when I heard the phrase, “Happy Memorial Day,” which several people said to me that weekend.
So, here’s my take. There’s really nothing “happy” about Memorial Day. Most people think, hey let’s barbeque, let’s go to the park, let’s go to the lake, let’s go shopping at one of the sales. But, truthfully, It isn’t a time to “celebrate” much of anything. It’s a day that we set aside to Honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service to our country. Now, I’m not saying that to be mean, I’m saying that because it’s something I feel deep in my soul.
I’ve been to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, all the Monuments (including the Viet Nam War Memorial) in Washington, D.C.; and I can tell you that military veterans will stand there and absorb it differently than non-veterans. It’s a somber time and I’ve cried standing there looking at all the names of those lost in battle.
Maybe you’ve been to a cemetery where military personnel have been laid to rest. Maybe you’ve seen the coins on their headstones and wondered what that was all about. So, here is the answer to your question. When you see a penny (or in some cases a small stone) it tells the family that you came and paid your respects. A nickel means that you trained together (in boot camp) or basic school. A dime means that you served together. A quarter means that you were in combat with him (or her) and were there when the soldier was killed.
So maybe next year when you see that Memorial Day is coming, you’ll think about it the way many of us veterans do. And hopefully, you’ll see why many of us have a different perspective.
Remember, all gave some…some gave all. May they Rest In Paradise. Thank you for your service. God bless…
