Today, in the United States, it is Memorial Day. It is a federal holiday to remember the people who died while in service to the military. The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the Coast Guard. It was really established in 1868 when an organization called the Grand Army of the Republic as a time when the graves of veterans were decorated with flowers.
Today, Nick and I went to one of the cemeteries and we placed 50 small U.S. flags next to the headstones of the veterans. It was a good day. Nick even opened up about his family a little, a subject that is still a sore spot with him, by saying that he dad served in the Army. I hope he didn’t take it as a cruel statement, but I said to him, when the time comes we would do this for him too.
Memorial day is supposed to be about remembering those who died DURING a battle, while Veterans Day is the one to honor all vets. But since most Veteran graves we placed flags at didn’t say if they did, or didn’t die during battle, we honored them anyhow. And to the ones that died during battle, we say a big thank you, that is not nearly enough.
But what makes Memorial Day a Rant, you ask? It is the sickening way that people around me think to “celebrate” Memorial Day. There are Memorial Day sales at stores, and people going to beaches, and having BBQ’s, and getting together with family. Memorial Day isn’t one that I think should be “celebrated”. It should be a solemn day. It should be a quiet day. Instead people are rushing to the mall, or stores to get those good deals that “end today”. They are stuffing their faces with food. And unless you’re honoring a family member that died in battle, you can get together with them later.
And it makes me want to gag at the condition of the flags that people fly. You are NOT honoring the dead, or the country by flying a flag that is torn, or faded. Have some f**cking respect!! And that goes for the condition of any flag. Canada, France, Italy, Germany, hell even Russia. These are the symbol of your country. If you can’t fly them with the proper respect, maybe you shouldn’t be flying them at all. And for those who have no idea what I’m talking about here is a link to the Federal Law Relating to the Display of the flag.
It seems to me, and I hope that I’m not the only one, that holidays are just way to commercial. We will have the Memorial Day sales. Hell, even the store I work at has one. Thank God I have the day off. We will have Labor Day sales. And if my prediction is right, they will start selling Christmas stuff this year before Halloween. I’m NOT against having the holidays. I’m just against what they have become to represent: Commercialism & Capitalism.
We SHOULD honor those that have died protecting the freedoms of the United States, or assisting in the protection of other countries. We SHOULD honor the workers that made this country great on Labor Day. We SHOULD honor our veterans for their service to this country on Veterans Day. And we SHOULD honor ALL President’s, good or bad, on President’s Day. Without all of these where would we be? Probably something like the Colonial States of England. (God Save the Queen!) We should not be turning them into shopping days. Makes me want to hurl even more than you can imagine.
We have done our small part to honor those that have died in battle. And did you know that when you honor all that have died in battle you are honoring people my age, and younger? Did you know the youngest soldier in the Civil War was 8 years old. Did you know the reason they call it the infantry is because those soldiers are usually the youngest? (Infant-ry).
There is still time in the day to do your part, if you have not done so already. Just watching a parade, or having a BBQ doesn’t count. And if you don’t do it today, you don’t have to wait until next year. Do it tomorrow, or on your next day off. Better yet, make it a habit.
Now that we have done our small part, Nick and I will be off to Anaheim here in a while to go watch the Angels host the Padres at The Big A. Then tomorrow back to the norm. Nick is getting antsy, only two more weeks of school for him. But he has already started working as a life guard for the summer, and seems to be enjoying it. I’ve signed up for First Aid and CPR classes. Hope I don’t kill any mannequins.
So as a final thought, remember what today is supposed to be for, and do something along those lines.
Love to you all from both Nick and Myself!
~Ryan
[Originally Posted 5/25/15]
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