A Tribute to the Soldiers Who Don’t Return Home
By Brittany G.
Memorial Day comes at the back end of a glorious three-day weekend of fanfare and fun. It’s a break from the daily grind to spend time with family and enjoy the liberties and privileges afforded to us as Americans. But for many, it’s treated too much like a party and not enough like a day of remembrance.
Somewhere in between the sparklers, barbecues, and booze, the message gets lost. Today is not the celebratory equivalent of the Fourth of July— a commemoration of our country’s independence. It certainly holds far more significance than Labor Day, merely a free day off work for the employed. It is not akin to but is often confused with Veteran’s Day, an innocent mistake but nonetheless a cheapening one. Today is for the American soldiers who died in battle. Today is about memorializing those who sacrificed their lives for their country.
Many brave warriors perished on Omaha beach, on the fields of the mid-Atlantic, and in the deserts of the Middle East, defending the values and way of life we hold dear. These brave men and women never met the warm embrace of their loved ones again, and they never got a hero's welcome home. They have been laid in their final resting places at Arlington National Cemetery, on the soil of battlefields, and at many other hallowed grounds. We remember and honor our fallen who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms and the nation they so loved. All gave some, but some gave all. Today is for them.
Politicizing the sacrifice of our soldiers was once off-limits. It was taboo to tarnish the names of our departed military members with political squabbling and criticism. When a soldier returned from overseas in a casket draped with the American flag, no one jumped to political conclusions or questioned the merit of the military mission or U.S. foreign policy. Back when decency was practiced, people offered their sincere condolences to the widow, the children, and the soldier’s brothers in arms.
This weekend is not just a “long weekend.” It's a national holiday of remembrance. In an act of either complete moral spinelessness or ignorance, Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted a hasty, “Enjoy the weekend” ahead of the holiday, without a word about the day’s real meaning. It was a despicable slap in the face to military families who still feel the gaping hole left by spouses, brothers, and sisters who perished overseas. It showed an inconceivable tone-deafness for retired veterans, many of whom wish they could trade places with comrades and academy classmates they lost.
While the Democrats in Congress and the White House show little appreciation for the selflessness of those who fought until their last breath, millions of veterans and patriots are watching. We will remember their callousness. Our men and women in uniform died not because they hated what was in front of them but because they loved what was behind them. When it comes to our soldiers, there are no politics or parties; there is simply brotherhood, loyalty, and a common goal to protect America.
Resist the urge to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day” today. While there is no reason not to enjoy the day off, today is a solemn day for pause. Visit a military cemetery or donate money to memorial funds for families who lost a loved one in war. For just one day, let us take a hiatus from the hustle-bustle of everyday life, pay a quiet thank you, and wave a flag to the brave souls watching over us in heaven.
In the words of former President Ronald Reagan:
“When they died, they gave up two lives—the one they were living, and the one they would have lived ... They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.”
Photo via U.S. National Archives
