"Happy" Memorial Day

While this might have been more appropriate heading into Memorial Day
I would hope it falls into the category of “better late than never.” It was interesting to me that on a number of occasions I witnessed someone wishing others a “Happy Memorial Day” over the weekend. Of course the day is meant to serve as a remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. There were certainly many observations around the shore area on Monday from parades to services but for many it was probably nothing more than a three-day weekend which kicked off the summer season much as Labor Day ends it.

I don’t think it was disrespectful to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day” weekend because of where we live…really what you were probably toasting was a happy start to summer. However we have the ability to enjoy things because so many gave their life so we can live ours in a free and democratic society. What is vitally important is we don’t take this for granted.

I’m really not sure if an email I received the other day is true or one of the many fabricated ones that have spread via the internet. But it was titled “what is a veteran” and one of the examples cited dealt with a group of retired American teachers paying a visit to France. One was being treated a bit rudely by a customs officer when he did not have his passport ready for inspection. The 89-year old man said that the last time he was in the country he didn’t have to show it and the French official said that was impossible. The American than proceeded to explain. “Well when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in ’44 to help liberate this country, I couldn’t find any Frenchmen o show my passport to.”

A “Veteran”….whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve is someone who for some period in his life wrote a blank check made payable to “The United States of America,” for an amount of “up to and including his or her life.” We need to understand and respect that fact so thanks to each one of you who have written that check and for those who had it cashed…..you may be gone but are not forgotten.