May 26, 2008

In memoriam

What could I possibly say about Memorial Day that hasn't already been said better by someone else?

Others have already pointed out how grateful we must be to those who died in the service of their country.

Others have already said that one's position on the present war (or, indeed, any other) should not preclude one from honoring the fallen.

Others have already written about the shamefulness that a day set aside for mourning has become just another excuse for picnics and white sales.

So what I can offer you, on this day that's supposed to be solemn but rarely is?

Only this: www.usmemorialday.org

In addition to information about the history of the holiday, this site offers a call to action: Move the holiday back to its traditional day of May 30.

Sen. Daniel Inouye has introduced a bill to this effect in every Congress since 1989. Of course, he meets with opposition—or at best apathy—because people are unwilling to give up their three-day weekends.

"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."
General Orders No.11, May 5, 1868, by order of Gen. John A. Logan, Headquarters, Grand Army Of The Republic.

No comments:

Post a Comment