Memorial Day – Jon Eugene
When I was young, I thought of Memorial Day the same way most of America does now: the beginning of summer, fun, barbecues, etc. I thought that way for a long time.
Then came the day I was drafted. I saw the devastation war brings to all participants on both sides, to the families and the land on either side of any conflict, even if the conflict is overseas. It brought me to an understanding of the third verse of the song, “America, the Beautiful.”
Oh, beautiful, for heroes proved
Through liberating strife;
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life.
From that understanding, I came to understand the true meaning of Memorial Day. It is not, as some would have you believe, a time to thank active-duty military or veterans for their service (although it is not inappropriate to do so, especially if the person has lost limbs or minds).
It is, rather meant to thank and honor those who fell in battle, either during the battle or after, fighting to save the Great American Experiment. They did so that we, who survive, may make “a more perfect Union.” It is not perfect yet, and we need to work on it, support it, and defy those who would make the sacrifices of so many meaningless.
The chorus to the first verse of “America, the Beautiful” says:
America, America,
God shed his grace on thee.
And whether you believe in God or not, it cannot be denied that our land is blessed with abundance of all kinds.
The chorus continues:
And crown Thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
And that is where we are most singularly lacking: brotherhood. Why are we so divided? Why do we not work to make sure everyone has the opportunity to succeed? Why do we not exhibit and live in brotherhood?
Those who have died in battle or its aftermath, were no more perfect than us, may not have believed in total equality or brotherhood, but we need to believe in their underlying concept of the United States. We’d like to believe that they believed as we do, to make a more perfect union.
Our veterans were white, black, Asian, Polynesian, Hispanic, Amerindian; they were all those and more. They, individually, may have been separated in life by their upbringing and beliefs, but are one now in death, and they are worthy of our honor for their service and the sacrifice they made for us and our country. It is said, “all gave some; some gave all.” This is a true statement and all who served, in whatever capacity, gave something, and they are worthy.
This Memorial Day, I ask that you forego some of your celebrations, the barbecues, the travel, to pause to acknowledge the sacrifices others made so that you can have your celebrations, the barbecues, the travel. Honor those who have demonstrated the ultimate demonstration of love, to die for others, for “America, the Beautiful.”
Forego the anger with those who would divide us from making America beautiful, a more perfect union. Work with those who would make this "a more perfect union."
Happy Memorial Day