Too often, the true meaning of Memorial Day is lost amidst the first weekend of summer getaways, especially the family picnics. We look forward to Grandma’s potato salad, Aunt Rose’s famous Jello delight (just what is in that anyway?), Uncle Bob is making his famous BBQ sauce and dear neighbor, Beth, has promised to make her decadent chocolate marshmallow brownies.
Yes, Memorial Day is thought of as the unofficial start of summer; school is out, days are longer and swimming pools are finally open. All reasons to celebrate. But this day is called Memorial Day, and the key word means to remember.
This powerful day is set aside to remember the sacrifices of so many brave men and women who gave their lives in battle for America. It began back in the tragic days of the Civil War when brother fought against brother; we almost lost our country back then. General John Logan, struck by the sheer numbers of American youths who had lost their lives, sought to find a way to show some formal honor to those fallen.
On May 30, 1968, the first Memorial service was held at Arlington Cemetery with a crowd of over 5,000. Back then, the day was known as Decoration Day, in tribute to the many wreaths, flowers and memorabilia left on the sea of graves by the bereaved.
After World War I, the day was set aside to honor all American soldiers who died in battle. In 1971, Declaration Day was formally changed to Memorial Day. Abraham Lincoln once remarked that, “A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”
Like you, I inherited this country with all its gifts without paying any price. I just ignorantly accepted the freedoms so hard fought for as simply a deserved right. How foolish of me to think we had been just given these enviable rights by some form of divine intervention, not acknowledging the thousands upon thousands of Americans who laid down their lives so that we might continue to enjoy our freedoms.
I am one of the legions known as the baby boomers. I sat on the carpet in my parents’ home and listened to the stories of my uncles who had returned from fighting “over there.” The emotions I felt were new, strange and uncomfortable.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I listened to their stories of their friends shot and killed, right by their side, and of their guilt for having survived. Neighbors on our street had wreaths placed on their doors, indicating that their loved one had not survived.
I remember feeling a nagging obligation to somehow live, myself, to deserve their loss. When I began school, the words of the Pledge of Allegiance meant more to me. It all became a trust in my mind, all these people whom I never met, and who never knew me, helped to provide the free land in which I lived.
My Uncle Glenn, who was injured on D Day Plus One, talked with me often about freedoms. I am so glad now that I listened, lest I not appreciate them. Each one mattered, for the loss of one freedom endangered the loss of the rest. Freedom of speech, so threatened today, helped us get our nation.
Our forefathers were bold and brave. I kind of think that should also mean the freedom of reading what we choose as well. One of the first things that Hitler did was to ban and burn books. We also have the right to bear arms, and the freedom to speak as well…. except, of course, to shout out FIRE when there is no fire.
As a journalist of many decades, Freedom of the Press is sacred. When our free press is controlled by any form of government, is the country free? The freedom to believe or not to believe is using our God given free will. Our forefathers were very wise men. Memorial Day is a grand time to read about the battles and sacrifices of those who came before us.
My family history goes back to the Civil War. My father’s family lived in Michigan and were the Yankees, and they lost many during those torturous days. My mother’s family came from the South, and believe me, their blood was pure rebel red. They mourned their ancestors who fell in battle just as much as the Yanks. Their tears fell the same color.
Few families today are so fortunate as to have no one in their family history who has fallen in battle. It’s a rare family that does not have the duty to honor those who gave the ultimate gift, their life, so that we might live free. And we owe all those who gave so much for us to have our freedoms to keep them.
There are many ways to add some meaning to your Memorial Day. Go visit a cemetery or a Memorial to show your respect. We are blessed to have a National Cemetery right here in our Central Valley. I participated in many special services there.
If there are military graves near you, go place a wreath of flowers. Post your American flag proudly. Play patriotic music. Post tributes on your social media. Tell your children stories about why we have the day, and help them appreciate the gifts they have.
My family often held Memorial Day Movie Marathons. So many special films have been made about our wars, and with so many streaming channels, endless movies are available. Here are some special examples: Best Years of our Lives (1948), The Great Escape (1963), Gettysburg (1993), The Longest Day (1962), Tora, Tora, Tora (1970), Hacksaw Ridge (2016). Glory (1990), Apocalypse Now (1979), MASH (1970), Saving Private Ryan (1995) and Sergeant York (1941).
Ron made a point to always watch MIDWAY. I think that Pearl Harbor is a good movie to remind us of the cost of World War II. There is a line in that movie that always gets me: “I’m not anxious to die, sir, just anxious to matter.”
Yes, I do get emotional about Memorial Day. I would be worried if I didn’t. I leave you now with one simple way we all can honor those fallen. It happens on Memorial Day at 3 p.m., when all across our great nation, people are to stop for a moment of silence, appreciation and respect.
Diana Ingram can be reached at DingramThurston21@gmail.com
