[May 30, 2021] Yesterday, I attended an early Memorial Day event at our local county Veterans’ Cemetery. The wind was cold, yet it was well attended. I was happy to be there and see that the deference to those we honor was conducted in a respectful, thoughtful manner.
However, I often have folks say to me, “Happy Memorial Day.” They are just not thinking. Simple things are often misunderstood. Memorial Day is not a happy moment. It is a day of mourning those who gave their lives in defense of our nation. Full stop. I politely educate those who do not know better.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Here are some ground rules, sent to me by a friend, that will keep you from a major embarrassment:
- Don’t wish others a Happy Memorial Day.
- It’s not a holiday. It’s a remembrance.
- If you want to know the true meaning, visit Arlington National Cemetery or a local veterans’ cemetery, not Disneyland.
- Attend a Memorial Day ceremony and pay close attention to what everyone is doing.
- Say a prayer for those who have fallen.
- Remember the fallen for all the good they did while they were here.
- Reach out and let Veterans know you’re there; we’re losing too many in “peace.”
- Speak their names. Do not be afraid.
At yesterday’s ceremony, the MC said something I found interesting. It was about Italy and Switzerland. He said that there was a time when wars devastated their lands in the history of Italy, and the brutality was more significant than we can imagine. Yet after those wars came Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Copernicus, Galileo, and many others. It was a period known as the Italian Renaissance. After a similar time in Switzerland came the Cuckoo Clock.
A quote from John Maxwell Edmonds – the author of several celebrated martial epitaphs – is most appropriate. About the fallen at the Battle of Kohima in April 1944, he writes:
“When you go home, tell them of us and say. For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
War is never good, but it can prevent the spread of evil, much as we saw in the aftermath of World War II. There comes a time when men must fight. At the end of these times often comes enlightenment. Why that is, I do not know. I am a simple observer of history only.
Enjoy this weekend. Yes, it is a time for BBQs, time with family and friends, yet also for remembrance, as well.
Great article full of proper advice. Thanks Gen. Satterfield.
“If you want to know the true meaning, visit Arlington National Cemetery or a local veterans’ cemetery, not Disneyland.” I have five High School friends buried in ANC. We were the best together back in the early 1960s. Seems like only yesterday.
Only a few of us really know the meaning of loss.
Great advice. Print the list, cut it out, and post it on your refrigerator. That way all the kids will see it and say, “hey dad, what’s this?” Then I can explain.
Having a cup of coffee this morning, just relaxing before I attend a family get together. Kinda like a pre-memorial day event for us. Because … let it wait … we have a big bash tomorrow. I fully understand the meaning of Memorial Day and plan to celebrate it properly with plenty of beer, soda, hotdogs, and hamburgers. I’ll be full on the way home and liking every minute.
Yes, Sean, enjoy yourself. I will be doing the same and attending a Mem Day parade as well.
I liked the Italy vs Switzerland story. But I must make one minor correction. They cuckoo clock was invented in Germany, not Switzerland. At least that is my understanding. Now that may not be the case. Just thinking.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. Here in the Houston Texas area we are having partly sunny skies and a high of 83. Unusually cool for this holiday weekend. So, if you live in hyper liberal states in the NE, just come down here an enjoy. But if you are an anti-American, Jane Fonda loving, nut …. stay where you are and continue to corrupt your state.
Yup, just don’t ask for our tax dollars to subsidize your ideology of idiocy.
Great list. I’m p**** off everytime someone says HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY. How ignorant. They might mean well but I could kick them in the a**. Either you are a tough, no-nonsense guy or you’re a demorat.
old warrior, you are just getting too old (ha ha ha). Laughed again at your comment.
Old Warrior, is always on the ball. 😊
… and a laugh each time. I gotta watch out drinking coffee when I read this forum when old warrior is around.
old warrior is a real thinking kind of man. I have been reading his comments for a long time now and each time he forces me to think. The reason is that the real meaning behind the humor is a real point that I need to find and remember. Thanks to all the veterans here on Gen. Satterfield’s leadership blog for what you have done for our country.
My sentiment exactly. Let’s educate the stupid and whack the willfully ignorant.
I like this list. Probably saw it elsewhere a couple of years ago. I remember some of them.