MEMORIAL DAY

145 - Monday, May 25, 2009

Of all the National Holidays observed by our country, it is my most sincere hope that you honor this day above all others, not just as an occasion to enjoy another day off from work, but genuinely to memorialize all of the fallen soldiers who offered their utmost for our freedoms. Since 1868, the first date officially declared as Memorial Day, and even before, the highest ideal that catapulted these United States to the premier echelon of universal envy is that freedom – freedom from tyranny – freedom to declare our personal beliefs even when they are in diametric opposition to our national popular opinion or posture, and to do so without fear of recrimination. Statements are regularly made publicly that infuriate my ethical soul and cause me to feel I am a focus of patriotic abuse, however, I defend those who thrash my pride in America and embarrass me before the remainder of mankind in full measure – they can do that because they are free to do that – and, personally, I would have it no other way. We Americans are misunderstood and maligned because we allow the common man to speak his piece, no matter how debasingly it may rail against our collective character – the price, paid in full by fallen heroes – my heroes. At three o’clock p.m. I paused for a full minute to revere the preservers of freedom, not just mine, but also yours - I hope you did the same. If you did, then, like me, you are persistently in awe of all combatants who have ever met their demise in the ultimate sacrifice for the both of us. If you did not, please do it now. The timing is not nearly so crucial as is the act – if, however, you disdain the notion and choose, defiantly and on purpose, to do nothing, I hope that you will forever carry the indelible memory of the fact that the freedom you invoke to reject this memorial was bought and paid for without obligation from you by the blood and life forces of your anonymous donors.

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