Today is Memorial Day, as most all of you are probably aware. Memorial Day is a national holiday that takes place on the last Monday of May every year. For many people, Memorial Day marks the start of summer. It means sales, a three day weekend, a major car race. I was recently reminded what Memorial Day is supposed to mean. I'm not trying to knock celebrating a three day weekend for anyone, because holidays will always shift to being observed in whatever way the public observes them.
The important thing to remember, through all of the celebration, is what Memorial Day actually represents. Memorial Day is not a celebratory holiday, it's an honorary one. We honor those who have lost their lives in the service of this country. For many service men and women and veterans, Memorial Day is a very hard day. It is a day of remembrance, brought home to me every year when a 21-gun salute and Taps are performed during the pre-race ceremonies in Indy. A serviceman I follow on Twitter posted this weekend discouraging people from wishing veterans and servicemen and women "Happy Memorial Day." He went on to say that Memorial Day is not intended to be a happy holiday, but a solemn one. While he may not speak for all in his position, I think that his opinion is more than important enough to heed.
When you see the bunting and flags coming out around houses today for cookouts and to start summer, remember what those truly represent. If you've lost someone, use today (or any day) to remember their sacrifice, and the sacrifices made by those that you did not know. Celebrate their lives and the freedoms which have been upheld at their cost, but remember that this holiday is not one that celebrates a victory, a birth of a nation, a life, but that it is one to remember those who have given everything for the betterment of others.
If you see a veteran or service person today, or any day, and you feel the desire to thank them for their service, do so genuinely. Thoughtless platitudes can make us feel better on the inside, but when you remember what they have been through and what they may have lost, the thoughtful eye contact or stronger handshake become worth it. Truly mean what you are saying, or you'd might as well not say it at all.
To all readers of Cardinal Couple, I encourage you to take a moment today with your friends and family or with whomever you may gather, and stop to remember what today truly means. Have a safe Memorial Day.
Until next time, Go Cards.
-CH-
I'm very sorry for your loss, Dave. Thank you for sharing Jeff's story.
ReplyDeleteI never knew my Uncle Martin Busch. He was an uncle on my mom's side...one of three boys and four girls that my grandfather August Busch and his Assinabola tribe wife Emily Hildenbrant Busch had. My grandmother was adopted by the Hildenbrant's after her mom (my great-grandmother) died after child-birth and my great-grandfather became distraught, an alcoholic and was killed in a bar-fight because he was an Indian...or, at least, that's how the story went.
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to talk about my Uncle Martin. He was actually responsible for my Mom and Dad meeting. When he was on the USS Idaho, he had a shipmate named James Sykes (my Dad) that he became friends with. When they had some shore leave in San Francisco, Martin took James to meet one of his sisters that worked in a bank. That was my Mom and, well, the rest developed from there.
Many personnel died that day in Pearl Harbor. My father's USS Idaho was actually in Iceland on Pearl Harbor Day, tracking German naval movements.
On Dec. 7th, 1941. Martin was on the USS Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor. He had left the USS Idaho, transferred by fleet command to become one of the boiler room maintenance engineers. The USS Oklahoma was stuck by five Japanese torpedoes while in harbor and 429 that served on the battleship died. He was one of them. The ship sunk in harbor and was later raised.
So, I honor a man I never met but heard many stories about him growing up from my aunts and uncles. All gone now. Martin Busch never married, was the youngest of seven. One of my uncles (all of them on that side of the family were Naval guys during the war) used to tell the story that Martin was a "scamp"...always sneaking out of the house late at night to carouse, going smoking and seeing women and get into mischief. Somehow, he always managed to sneak back into the house before he was caught. He enlisted in the Navy after attending but not graduating from high school.
I wish I could have met him. Oh, the stories I bet he had.
Paulie
I honor your guys relatives that died in service and all servicemen who gave their lives on this Memorial Day.
ReplyDelete-- The Real Joe Hill --
Thanks for the article Case and for sharing Paulie and David. Enjoy the holiday but remember why we have it. I've got no stories to share like that but I also pay tribute to all who served and died in the line of duty.
ReplyDeleteCurtis "Proud to be an American" Franklin
Not to detract from today's tributes, but Myisha Hines-Allen had 15 points and 13 rebounds in the Mystics win over Minn. yesterday. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI also pay tribute to those who died and served.
Blue Lou
She did have herself a game. Here's a highlight link.
Deletehttp://www.wnba.com/game/20180527/MINWAS/
Pop in your browser and enjoy
Paulie
I am not a part of wnba promotions but for $9.99 you can buy a single team wnba single team pass for the entire season and watch all of Myisha's games. If on TV anywhere they are delayed until the game is over but u also get complete box scores, post game interviews... it is not too late to get last night's game.
DeleteGood to know.
DeleteDave O
Excellent young man and right on.
ReplyDeleteExcellent thoughts Case. In the interest of clarification: Memorial Day is to honor people who served in the armed forces and are deceased. Veteran's Day is to honor living people who have served in the armed forces. And, Armed Forces Day is to honor those presently serving. Each branch also has a day of recognition as well for auxiliary groups such as Military Brats. Still proud to count myself in the Air Force branch of that group.
ReplyDelete