Since its first observation in May 1868, we as a nation have taken a moment each year to remember the men and women who have served our country and who died in the line of duty while serving in the military. And as we think about everything that has changed throughout our lives, this year’s Memorial Day holiday takes on an increased significance.
Memorial Day will be celebrated in 2023 on May 29. For many, it is a day off work, a day with family, a day to go out, shop, etc. If we took an informal poll of how many of us actually take a moment to reflect on those who have given their lives to protect our great nation, well, it would probably be very upsetting to a lot of us.
Originally known as “Decoration Day”, the current Memorial Day designation wasn’t formalized by Congress until 1971. The Memorial Day holiday joined Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day among the federal holidays that recognized the service and sacrifice of current and past service members.
As a writer, I would argue that everyday should be a day of remembrance. And when you think of the current state of worldwide affairs and the current state of our nation, the service of military members in the protection of our nation may be on the precipitous of imminent need. Combat readiness, cyber security, international trade security, and the protection of the mainland all seem to be issues on the horizon in our current state of affairs.
It is rare that I inject my opinions into my writing. In fact, as a sports director, writer, and photojournalist, I enjoy covering positive things that young people do every day in the sports world. But as both a citizen and a writer, I cannot help but to express my concern of the current state of our nation and the younger generation’s view of military service.
As a matter of full disclosure, I never served in the military. It is something I am not proud of, but the fact remains that my age fell in a time when the draft had ended for the war in Vietnam, and our nation was not at war when I graduated from high school and entered college. I have family members who proudly served in the military, and I have revered their service. And for the many young people that I have known as a school administrator who made the choice, and for those today who continue to make the choice to serve, I extend my utmost respect and appreciation to all of them.
But when I see reports on national media that our younger generation purportedly values their social media access more than service to the military, or they are not proud of our nation and would not defend her, then it concerns me.
That is all that I am going to say on that topic, but suffice it to say, the Memorial Day holiday is an opportunity to reflect on where we are as a nation, and where we will go.
And let us not forget the ultimate sacrifices that so many men and women over the past and current generations have and are making for the protection of our country. For them, I extend my most heartfelt love and appreciation to them all. Thank God for their service. Because of them, all of us have the protected right to express our opinions.
Thank you for your service, and on behalf of RNN, I wish all of you a very happy and safe Memorial Day holiday weekend.