Memorial Day, like many holidays, is one that seems to lose its distinction after a while. People tend to focus on the traditions of celebration rather than the reason for them. The Fourth of July is obvious—the national birthday. But Memorial Day to many can mean the start of summer, a long weekend, a picnic, a parade, a day at the beach, a cookout.
Those are all nice, but there of course is a more. Memorial Day started in the Civil War, and became official in 1971, as a day to remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. According to history.com, it was originally called Decoration Day to reflect the practice of placing flowers and other decorations on gravesites.
With another Memorial Day weekend upon us, I was reflecting on this holiday. And I was thinking there are a number of specific things we could remember on Memorial Day, especially as this year coincides with the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation. So here is my list of 10 things to remember on Memorial Day.
1. The sacrifices of soldiers.
This is the original point of Memorial Day, and it needs to be stressed. My wife and I had the opportunity to visit the American Cemetery in Normandy, France while I was teaching in the country. That and other sites really drove home the reality that these soldiers, often only in their teens, got out of boats onto a beach and climbed a hill while being shot at. They prevailed as a force, but many died. To this day the resident of Normandy are grateful. We should be as well, for soldiers who maintained freedom in this and other wars.
2. The uniqueness of our independence.
I have recently enjoyed watching some films and documentaries about George Washington, the signing of Declaration Of Independence, and other national history from the revolutionary era. Other nations have established themselves, but the American experience was unique for what it established. Not just a national independence, but one in which individuals were free of the tyranny of a monarch. Bold souls listed their grievances against a king and invoked God to establish what we have today. On Memorial Day we remember soldiers who died defending it. We should also remember what it is that has been worth the sacrifice of lives. I’d suggest reading a transcript of the Declaration of Independence this Memorial Day.
3. That we are a federal republic.
One of the classes I teach is about law, and I have to remind students of the unique form of government we have. Not a simple democracy, the United States is a federal republic, a federation of independent states. This is the result of founders who wanted a strong government but were also wary of a government with too much power. The colonies that became states had different personalities, histories, and interests. To get them to join the new union required preservation of some of their autonomy. This created out country and its system of state and federal laws. It is worth remembering that and what it means today. Here is more information about a federal republic from the Bill of Rights Institute.
4. The five freedoms of the first amendment.
If you ask most people about the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, they will say it guarantees free speech. That is not wrong, but it is incomplete. I one time asked a class what are the five freedoms in the First Amendment. Two could answer. I told them to thank their high school government teachers. For the record, the freedoms in order listed are religion, speech, press, assembly and petition the government. Note that “press” does not mean journalism exclusively but anyone with the means to distribute information. Also, “separation of church and state” is NOT in the First Amendment or anywhere in the constitution. Read it for yourself. It is especially important to remember this Memorial Day as even democratic governments around the world are censoring free speech.
5. The meaning, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship.
Citizenship, and becoming one, has not been an issue in most of our national history. People who immigrated to the United States would often go through the process to become citizens, and appropriately celebrate when they had done so. To be a citizen grants privileges, to be sure. But citizenship also implies a responsibility and a loyalty to the national values and culture. In recent years, we have seen a number of people advocating for open borders, violating law and diminishing citizenship. The growing problem of “anchor babies,” an abuse of the intent of the 14th Amendment, also demonstrates a desire to enjoy the privileges of citizenship without the responsibility. There is an industry of “birth tourism” to enable this. In some cases, this practice has not been about enjoying citizenship benefits but an insidious plot to subvert the United States. To be a citizen should be to assimilate and embrace our founding values.
There is another set of things to remember on Memorial Day that go beyond our nation. These are more about personal reflection.
6. Your childhood.
As a man of a certain age, whose parents are in advanced years, I sometimes have been thinking way back to my childhood. It is good to do this from time to time. For one thing, it brings up memories of a simpler time that shows we can be informed and entertained without cell phones and the internet. Conversations are best in real time in person. I also think about my uncertainty about the future and can reflect that things worked out ok for me. I am glad that in my childhood I developed a joy of reading and being outside, two things that are passions of mine to this day.
7. What you love about your spouse.
It is unfortunate that the rate if divorce in this country is at or higher than 50 percent. I don’t blame people, but I do hurt for them. Often I hear people explain a divorce by saying thy drifted apart. I can see how that happens. But after three decades of marriage, I find myself thinking about what first attracted me to my wife (and wonder what the heck it was that attracted her to me!). We all change and live through a variety of circumstances. We are not perfect and have disagreements. But the things that first attracted me to her are still there and worth remembering, especially if I may be momentarily annoyed by something else.
8. Those you love who have passed away.
As I wrote about my spouse above, I am very mindful of the many friends who have had to endure their spouse passing away. On Memorial Day, we remember fallen soldiers. Many of the spouses of my friends were fighters too—fighting disease if not war. Memorial Day is a good day—as if this doesn’t happen every day—to remember in a special way those who have died and are missed. I would suggest not thinking about their absence and their death, but remember with gratitude and comfort when they were here and how they loved their lives as a blessing in the lives of others.
9. Your career path.
My college students are just starting out on this path, but even they can reflect on Memorial Day about how they chose their field, or a specific role within it. As we age, we have a much longer view. Periodically I think it is health to consider how one’s passion, ability, and calling intersect and led to a career or aspiration. Memorial Day for many is a day off from work. But it is also a good day to re-calibrate and think about why you work. Hopefully it is for more than a paycheck and health benefits.
10. Where you were when God laid the foundations of the world.
This one is a play on multiple passages of the Bible in which God responds to someone complaining about a life circumstance, even a severely difficult one, bye asking “where were you when I laid the foundations of the world?” It is a rhetorical and theological question, not one seeking an answer. The point is, God is bigger than anyone or anything, He created all, and He has a plan. I have reminded myself of this often when going through deep valleys in my own life. Memorial Day is another day (as is every day) to remember the majesty of God.
