Cyndi's Two Cents

Decoration Day

Commentary.

Spring was just a blip on the screen following the winter-that-would-never-end.  My lilacs were in full bloom for about 2 minutes before they faded and folded and disappeared.  Summer is in a very big hurry to get started in earnest.

All signs point to a less than abundant hay crop in my neck of the woods.  At this writing we’ve baled a few small squares on our farm and are hoping for rain to bring some tonnage but not so much that we are unable to harvest it before the grasses have over-matured and begin to lose nutritional value.

Here we are on the brink of Memorial Day week-end.  In check-out lines at the grocery store and in the hallway at work I’ve overheard conversations about horseshoes and washer tournaments, the best sunscreen to use for the first full week-end out in the sun, and the best recipe for homemade ice cream.

I have yet to overhear one single conversation about the true purpose of Memorial Day, which of course is to honor those who died in military service to our country.

Many people refer to the day when so many who died for our freedom are remembered as “Decoration Day.” That’s the term I remember from my childhood along with the smell of peonies, flags on tombstones in Young’s Cemetery, and our local American Legion post hosting various activities advocating patriotism.

There are many people who have little to no comprehension of the significance of Memorial Day. Although “Decoration Day” began as a day to remember so many who died for our freedom, for most of us today it is a time to visit the gravesites of all family members and friends – whether they served in the military or not – and to decorate them with flowers and flags.

Unfortunately, like so many other significant holidays, the true meaning of the day has taken a backseat to our good time. Memorial Day has become more about a 3-day week-end, an excuse to drink too much beer and eat too many burgers. The first sunburn of the season, the first time to take the boat out on the lake this year, the first picnic and the first wearing this season of your cut-off jeans take precedence over honoring the boys and girls, men and women who fought and died for these freedoms we enjoy.

As I have in this column for the past several years, I ask that before you pitch your first horse shoe, pop your first top or settle in to watch the Indy 500 this Memorial Day Week-end, please remember our fallen war heroes. If you do nothing else to honor those who fought for our freedom, please take a few minutes to pause and reflect upon the meaning – the purpose – of the day. And most importantly, be sure that those who represent the next generation of Americans have a clear understanding of the true meaning of Memorial Day.