There’s a thing about Memorial Day, it was never about the barbeque and kickoff to summer many people treat it as. It’s a somber occasion, at least for those who recognize its meaning. It’s a day to remember.
The public seems to confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day, which is in November. Both are days regarding the service members of the armed forces, and both have to do with those who have left service. The difference is Memorial Day is for those who died in service, whereas Veterans Day is for all veterans.
On this day, people gather in cemeteries across the United States. Marked by memorials held, photos clutched, and memories shared, the day rings clear. On the news, there will be footage from Arlington National Cemetery. It will show those who feel inclined towards spending the day with their loved ones, a kind of watch. Someone will be interviewed who’s been keeping this tradition for over a decade. For many, it’s part of how they process.
I am part of a military family, and as the saying goes, once an army brat, always an army brat. Being a brat gives me a different perspective on how the tradition carries over and why. It was a bit of a shock for me when I transferred to civilian schools and compared ideas on days like Memorial Day. Several of my compatriots seemed to have no idea about the origin of the day, let alone what it meant.
It’s a day to remember not just the service, but also the individuals. After all, it’s many individual lives that make up the services. Those are part of what makes Memorial Day a somber occasion, the realization that they’re not numbers Those who gave their lives in service had just as complex of lives as the rest of us and deserve to be remembered.
All gave some, some gave all. Today we remember them.