I was honored to be asked to give a speech on Memorial Day at the Geneva and Ellendale cemeteries. Following is what I put together for that. Thank you to all those who attended!
As first a student and now an educator, Memorial Day has always been a tremendously important day. After all, many people, especially those toiling in schools, recognize it as the unofficial start of summer. Even though school usually continues on for about a week following Memorial Day, it’s basically a week of fun and frivolity unless you have some final exams.
How many of us plan a cookout on Memorial Day? The last Monday of May has become a great time to get together with family and friends in a social environment. And that’s very important. Being together on special days is vital to the human soul. Many of us probably keep an eye on the weather leading up to Memorial Day, hoping we can start up our grills and lend those delicious smells to the wafting airwaves.
But how many of us stop and recognize why we get this day off from work and school? How many of us take just a moment to remember the fine men and women who have in the past and continue to this day work in the service of the United States, defending our country against threats to our freedom? Gathering in a cemetery for a morning ceremony places you among, unfortunately, a minority.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone willingly came together to be part of this? Wouldn’t it be outstanding if a ceremony honoring those who gave their lives in the armed forces was as much a part of Memorial Day to people as opening presents on Christmas, drinking green beer on St. Patrick’s Day, or watching the Detroit Lions lose in a football game on Thanksgiving?
Memorial Day has a long history dating back to the aftermath of the Civil War. It’s changed names, previously called Decoration Day, and even dates, having been always celebrated on May 30 prior to 1968 when Congress designated the last Monday in May so we’re always assured a three-day weekend.
But the fight for freedom doesn’t take long weekends. Our troops overseas don’t get to relax as a whole and take time off since the enemies of democracy don’t recognize a special day to barbeque. And those of you who are veterans also know it’s not just a 9-5 job either. When the ultimate sacrifice is given, when that solider loses his or her life, the long hours and the long weekends ultimately become background noise in the life story of a hero.
I had a grandpa serve during World War II, but he never saw action. I also had an uncle, along with my father-in-law, who served in Vietnam. They both had stories, but generally the horrors of war are not always meant to be shared.
A neighbor and friend of mine voluntarily enlisted when the first Iraq war broke out while I was in high school. This was a time, in the early 1990s, when talk of reinstating the draft was a thought in the minds of those of us who were right around 18 years old, and it was a frightening thought, especially to parents. This neighbor’s parents couldn’t believe that he enlisted for six years, but he said he needed to be there, representing the United States of America. For that, I have the highest level of admiration for him.
I have a brother-in-law who was embroiled in multiple stints in the most recent war in the Middle East. There are a number of my former students who have proudly served our country as well. None of them have given their lives while in the service, but we can also take opportunities like today to thank those still alive; most of them, unfortunately, likely lost people they knew in those conflicts. They observe this day differently than the majority of the population.
At a time when patriotism seems to be wavering for some in our country, our veterans lead the way in reminding us why this is the greatest country on the planet. The people buried in our cemeteries because they helped keep this country great deserve the utmost respect, shown through honoring the flag and all veterans. That respect can also be given through remembering that our country declares all people to be created equal. We have to work to keep that true and to be deserving of the freedoms won for us through the blood, sweat, and tears of our military.
So thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to stand in front of a group of people and express myself. Thank you for the chance to live in a country where I can work with young people and teach them to voice their opinions without fear of recrimination. Thank you for a place where I can work hard and play hard, from correcting student essays to watching my kids play ball, all on the same day. Thank you for giving your lives and your service to bring us a day like Memorial Day, where we can and should stand up, recognize our freedoms, honor everyone who has been in the military, and finally, after that is all done, fire up the grill.
Word of the Week: This week’s word is gobemouche, which means a gullible person, as in, “The gobemouche believed her colleagues when they told her the boss had decided everyone had to work on Memorial Day.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!