to remember and to forget
On Memorial Day, my family always attended Mass and put flowers on my sister’s grave site; which made me believe for a long time that the day is in remembrance of all our dead. In Ireland we have individual anniversaries, too, but those are more for celebrating life and less somber recollection.
What I have learned, though, is that Memorial Day is intended for those who have died in our nation’s service and not a civilian holiday. Isn’t that what Veteran’s Day is all about…or Armed Forces Day?
I hate to be disingenuous, but why are there so many “let’s celebrate war days”? Glorifying something like this only perpetuates the idea that there were wars that may have actually worked to solve bigger problem. I will agree some wars have been necessary — that’s what July 4 is all about — and love the idea of rabble rousing as much as the next person. But holy Christ, what about wars that were questionable and proved futile, likely from the beginning?
When you grow up in a largely-rural place, many of the folks you know use the military as a means to job security, and the hope of education in the future. I lost uncles in Korea and Vietnam, and any number of my graduating class in the Iraq wars. I can’t tell you why they died; there was not a culture freed, and no great political coup was averted.
In an effort to avoid the bigger question about why war exists at all (and we all know the answer is because decision makers and politicians have the emotional maturity of 15-year old boys) — I have to ask, while meaning no disrespect, why have this day at all? Who and what are we honoring? Is this to make the families of the fallen feel better, or to casually promote war for future generations?
The days of propaganda need to be over. For me, I refuse to join the ranks of those believing that recent wars proved to accomplish anything but deadly grandstanding, and absolutely will not allow this day to be turned into one of flag waving and “America the Beautiful” singing.
I’ll remember in my own way, and leave the bullshit for the likes of people like that manipulative, lying, slimy bastard Dick Cheney, who in my opinion, truly deserves the fate of those we are honoring today. If it’s of such great importance, perhaps he should fight the war he invented.
