Memorial Day

A stained glass window at the Memorial Chapel, Mighty 8th Air Force Museum, Pooler, GA

Let's talk Memorial Day.

There's a bit of a misconception about this holiday. It's not about those who are serving in our military right now. It's not about those who have served and moved back into civilian lives. Veterans Day is in November. That is the holiday for those who served.

Memorial Day has a sadder meaning. No one who is an intended honoree on this day will be with us to appreciate it. The people Memorial Day is intended for have already given their lives so that you and I can enjoy this three day weekend.

The true honorees of Memorial Day were lost at Verdun, on the beaches of Normandy, at Monte Cassino, on Guadacanal, at the Chosin Reservoir, at Khe Sanh, in the streets of Mogadishu, Mosul, Kandahar...

The people we honor this weekend gave everything they had. They gave that sacrifice for us - for our country, our culture, our way of life. They died for historic downtowns, for backyard barbecues, for rock and roll music, for church on Sunday, for road trips, for high school football, for art museums, for first kisses under a pecan tree. They died for America and all that it stands for.

So, with that in mind, how should we remember them?

I think the best way to remember their sacrifice is to appreciate all they provided for us. We must honor and remember their sacrifice. We must never forget what they gave us or that the gift must be vigilantly protected.

And then we need to enjoy. We need to relax and enjoy the weekend. We need to do the things that those sacrifices enabled us to do. I think that is exactly what they would have us do.

By all means, enjoy the barbecue and the pool but never forget why you have that liberty or who paid for it. Honor them.

Wishing you a safe and happy Memorial Day from All the Biscuits in Georgia.

---