This holiday weekend, I've been taking a bit of a vacation from the computer. Not just the blog, but the machine. Other than using it to re-watch the last few episodes of Heroes and follow the track (when the power was on) of the scary storms that have come through here the past few days, I've been pretty much staying away.
But now I've started tuning back in to the blogosphere and the airwaves, and I'm confused.
Today is Memorial Day. It's the day we remember and honor our fallen soldiers. Those who gave their lives for their country, our country -- for their communities and our communities -- for their families and our families. We celebrate it in the USA with barbeques and beer and maybe we don't take it as seriously as we should, but we do know what this holiday is about. Right? I mean, don't we?
Look. This isn't Veterans' Day. And it isn't Independence Day. Or Flag Day. It's Memorial Day. Can we focus on that? Can we separate out that element that's unique to the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, who have gone to their rest hopefully secure in the knowledge that they helped to make their world a safer place for peace, for democracy, for liberty and for freedom? Can't we can the politics and the spin, including both the "bring our troops home" and the "support our troops" rhetoric? Can't we dedicate one day to the memory of those who have died in the service of their country, our country, and simply say ... thank you?
Thank you. From the bottom and from the top of our hearts.
