A note to my American readers. This Memorial Day, it’s easier than ever to forget the death and sacrifice of military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. We must not do that.
Memorial Day Looks Different This Year of Pandemic
Usually, this day is marked by military flyovers, parades, solemn ceremonies, and gatherings meant to remember those who lost their lives in service to nation.
This year, most ceremonies have been cancelled. The President still laid a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, but gatherings across the country, including in my hometown, have been nixed due to COVID-19.
U.S. flags have flown at half-staff all weekend for COVID-19 victims and remain at half-staff today to mark the Memorial Day holiday. Some, like my colleague Brian at The Gate, question this policy choice. I do too.
But the point is that it’s easy to forget about what this day really means when death has become part of the daily national conversation.
Is a death from COVID-19 more worthy or less worthy than the military deaths we remember today? I think that is the wrong question to ask. Instead, even during a time of unrest and unease, we must not forget those who answered the call of duty.
This is not a veneration of war, by the way. It still make me sick to think that my grandfather–and millions of others–were asked to fight in World War I (I’ve written about that here).
But I salute all who paid the ultimate price in service to others. On this day, we particularly recognize military members who did this.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
CONCLUSION
During a time of death and collective sacrifice, it becomes difficult to think about more death. But let the sacrifice of the brave men and women of the U.S. armed forces be an inspiration for us as we sacrifice in a less substantial but still meaningful way during the pandemic.
Sorry to politicize this but you really cheapen this post by putting the picture of the man who spent this weekend golfing on the cover.
Just used a stock photo. Not trying to make any sort of statement about Trump in this post.
Personally, I think using that photo is a bit of a slap in the face to military service men and women and their loved ones. Trump was GOLFING – not honoring veterans, this past weekend. There are plenty of other stock photos that would have been more appropriate.
He’ll be out in November, so this picture is perfect to remember the nasty era we live in.
@Michael M
Fair enough. Fingers crossed…
You cheapen this post by criticizing a President who wants to bring back troops from the Middle East and stop intervening in foreign wars. So many lives were unnecessarily lost because reckless Presidents from Truman to Obama believed in foreign military intervention and being the world police. President Trump has demonstrated extreme restraint and rather have troops at home with their families and defending our actual borders instead of some desert 6000 miles away. Rather than going to war he rather talk and use diplomacy in Afghanistan and North Korea. He rather stay out of Syria and let local powers clean up their own mess, not U.S. troops.
We should use Memorial Day to remember so much wasted life because the basis of the military is blindly following orders which often are contrary to actual defense of the homeland. Iraq was the biggest mistake of this country and the Vietnam War is a close second.
Yes, because why fight way over there to try and stabilize the world when you can destabilize your own country and create war within? Right? Let’s divide our own people, wreak havoc in the social system, and gain power. Encourage violence in our own backyard. Make sure we are armed with automatic weapons and filled with lies and hatred.
Stop pretending, Jackson. I am sure you were standing on the top of buildings in 2001 and screaming that you were gonna, “Kill me some A-rabs.” Now you just shifted to wanting to, “Kick butt on some liberal commies” right here at home. You are a convenient a-hole.
Actually, it is the liberals who are trying to divide our country.
Nah, liberals aren’t dividing anything. Nice try though, booboo.
or one could strive to understand life & death….do people go to heaven? Or hell? Where are those places? If they even exist? Or does one live again? reincarnation. How does that work? Or something else? But we live in an atheist / materialist controlled media..few ask serious questions, nevermind investigate VERY thoroughly…
All excellent questions, but perhaps this travel blog is not the best venue. I do these posts because I have the last 10 years, but even this posts strays off-topic.
Matt,
I applaud you for this post! After all, let’s set aside all the differences and political beliefs, and remember those who sacrificed for this great nation of ours regardless whether this is a travel blog or not.
This is your blog and you are feel to post anything that is on your mind!
+1