The origins of Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, in the U.S. has a multilayered, splintered and at times debated history. Many towns, organizations and informal groups have claimed to have started the tradition in this country. What can be established with certainty, is that even the quasi-formal observations in this country began after the Civil War.
The Civil War was the most devastating conflict the country had experienced to that point. The number of dead was mind numbing and the wounds left in the heart and soul of our country were deep. It’s repercussions echo to this day. Shortly after the war, groups of citizens, the newly freed, and military personnel began to place flowers and flags in gratitude for those killed in that apocalyptical war. Memorial Day was a means to help heal still fresh wounds.
As I have offered in my Memorial Day posts before, I hope that Memorial Day someday only marks those killed in conflicts from a distant history. I envision a day in which we may only remember the sacrifices given many, many years ago rather than for recent military dead.
The reasons for war often vary from battle ground to battle ground. Some might be fought to protect a homeland from foreign lands. Some might be fought to protect or even create freedoms and rights of others. But I fear that too many wars are and were fought for less than noble reasons. A stern and objective look at our history and the history of other nations reveals that all too often, wars are fought out of greed, fear, religious zealotry, bigotry, and the seeking of power for a relatively small number of individuals.
Often those who call for war have never served in the military or have fought in a battle. Dwight D. Eisenhower, President and Decorated General, likely said it best; “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.”
While we can and should despise those seek war at a moment’s notice, to deflect personal/legal challenges, or look for ways to merely justify it, we should always honor those who were called to war. The men and women who are willing to make that ultimate sacrifice out of a sense or the cause of duty must always be aware of our gratitude and respect.
Let us all hope and work for a day when our soldiers and other military personnel are used primarily to deliver food to those in need, help rebuild a flood ravaged road, render aid to the sick, and orchestrate the building of a homeless shelter.
Let us all hope and work for a day in which a soldier’s day is boring, a sailor’s sea is calm and a fighter pilot’s sky is clear.
Without hope, without working to avoid war at all costs, and without holding our nation’s leaders completely responsible for the reasons they send our best and brightest to war, we are doomed to have Memorial Days still painful from recent wounds.
Until then, let us continue to express our gratitude to those who perished while doing their duty.
