Cherish our freedom on Memorial Day
It’s a very special Memorial Day this year in Pennsylvania, as the unofficial start of summer coincides with the lifting of most of the state’s restrictions that have been in effect for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The difficulties of the last 14 months or so have reminded us not to take our liberties for granted.
Each year at this time we wonder how to make the holiday’s official purpose as a day of solemn remembrance for America’s war dead jibe with its popular status as the end of a long weekend kicking off a few months of sun and fun..
Today’s circumstances present a clear way to link the seemingly conflicting ways of treating this occasion. After all, the men and women who died serving our country did so in defense of our freedom. And the difficulties of the last 14 months or so have reminded us that freedom is not something to be taken for granted.
Our ability to do so many of the things we love and in many cases even pursue our livelihoods was taken away by a virus the likes of which hadn’t been seen in a century. So many of us craved a chance to be with our friends, enjoy music or a game or even something as simple as hugging a grandchild.
Now thanks to the heroes of a different kind of war — front-line medical staff who did lifesaving work in devastating conditions, essential workers who took great risks to keep our nation functioning and scientists who developed vaccines with astonishing speed — we’re at the point where it’s becoming safe to be close together again.
Let us never take any of it for granted again, nor should we forget that the freedom and prosperity we enjoy in normal times is the result of great sacrifice by millions of Americans who served in their country’s defense. Today our focus is on those who died in that courageous pursuit.
Keep in mind that the change in rules doesn’t just mean that you can have a crowd for your backyard barbecue. It means that communities can bring back the parades and ceremonies that usually mark this important holiday but couldn’t be conducted a year ago. Please consider attending one of these events if possible, or at least take time during the holiday festivities to ponder the deeper meaning of the occasion and express gratitude for those who have served our nation so bravely.
It’s appropriate to think back on last year’s commemoration and how the pandemic caused many of us to pause more easily in our solitude and note the solemnity of Memorial Day as a time of reverence, remembrance and recognition of the sacrifices that were made on our behalf. We have the time and perhaps a greater than usual inclination to pause and offer a simple thank you to the men and women whose lives were lost.
Beyond today, remember that Americans who served did so for one nation. The military so often brings together people from different regions, backgrounds and points of view. Not only do they learn to live and work together, but they make for a winning fighting force and often become lifelong friends.
In that spirit, let’s work to move away from the vitriol that so divides us at this time. People with opposing views don’t have to agree on everything, but they don’t have to hate each other, either.
If current trends continue, we run the real risk of destroying our country from within and negating the efforts of so many who protected our country from outside threats. Nothing could be more disrespectful to those we honor on Memorial Day.
Remember that without their sacrifice, we would not be the nation we are, equipped and able to overcome the challenges this pandemic presented. We do well to honor that sacrifice today and always. A return to some semblance of national unity and mutual respect is an excellent place to start.