There is plenty in our national conscious at any moment. We pause however to remember that we have much because so many fell in protecting our freedom, our lives, and our world.
The news headlines this morning are focused on much that is important. There was a tragic Texas shooting that is consuming much of American attention; there is ample attention on the response thereto and some amazing stories of survival. Much of the most important perspective is on remembering those lost.
Addititionally, thousands of flights have been cancelled, a reminder of our COVID-19 challenges. People are seeing the world differently, as some predict college enrolment declines will persist, as perceptions change. Deliberations have begun in earnest in a much-watched defamation suit in Virginia. And we are reminded daily that a relatively small war rages on a world away. Perhaps a war so distant is easy to forget? Too easy to forget, despite the many suffering, dying, and mourning.
It is no world war, but sabers are rattled and people are dying. Alleged side-effects of that conflict are directly impacting Americans, but more so the world. From a variety of perspectives, Ollie might aptly note "another fine mess," or for those who insist "another nice mess."
Despite that, the real news this weekend should not be the currently-waging wars, or their human tragedy. We pause this weekend to remember those who have fallen. What began as Decoration Day, has become Memorial Day.
There will be many traveling despite the canceled flights. There will be many a burger, hotdog, and watermelon. I can hear the ice cream freezers grinding. The summer season kicks off and the school year likely has either concluded or at least wanes. Our collective focus may be on the fine weather, the abundant food, and the freedoms we enjoy largely to the envy of much of the world. We are indeed fortunate beyond belief.
But, we must pause. I am periodically drawn to those responsible for our ability to celebrate the arrival of summer. In Remembrance (September 2021), I reflected upon our amazing freedom and the exorbitant price that has been paid for it. I had previously reflected upon my opportunity to converse with a native in a small part of what remains of the Maginot Line, a tribute to the past conflicts between two superpowers of the European coterie. Lessons from History (December 2020). That the conflicts of central Europe twice pulled the majority of the world into bloody conflict has been persistently documented, studied, and lamented. The World Wars draw much attention still, but there have been so many more.
The impacts of the more recent invasion of Ukraine has raised specters of similarity to World War: the dictatorial power of a national leader, propaganda, and disinformation; the actual and perhaps imagined involvement of other nations; the isolation of a people; the millions of refugees; the death and destruction; and the anxiety that comes to so many, likely with significantly increased anxiety that comes from proximity and immediacy.
In the midst of all of these thoughts, however, let us reflect that the United States has only "officially declared war" eleven times. Those do not include anything since World War II. There has been no such declaration regarding Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more. Some will also remember the Beirut bombing in 1983, Somalia, the USS Cole, and so many more. There are too many events and conflicts to remember them all.
Military.com notes that "Since the Revolutionary War ended, 646,596 American troops have died in battle and more than 539,000 died from other, non-combat related causes." Those figures are thankfully lower than I anticipated. But, those who "gave all" are only part of the story. As Howard Osterkamp so aptly reminded "All gave some; some gave all." While we celebrate all veterans each November, in May we remember those injured and killed.
I have paused in the midst of some of them on the beaches of Normandy, the fields of Luxembourg, the hills of Arlington, at Barrancas, at Gettysburg, and more. And, I have striven to remember their loss, to appreciate their sacrifice.
Courtesy, U.S. Air Force
In the midst of our world, and the distractions of day-to-day, we have an opportunity each May 30 to reflect upon and appreciate the many who defended our freedoms. Those who served remind us of the sacred trust by which we owe our remembrance. Thankfully, the young reassure us with their engagement and leadership in this regard.
We have a separate Memorial Day for those who pass in their employment, and we likewise mourn their loss. See Happy Memorial Day (April 2022). All loss is important and their loss is no less tragic.
However, May is different. Today we pause for those who suffered greatly for us, our freedom, our lives, and our world. In addition, we should be no less conscious of, thankful for, the loss of the multitude whose lives were impacted by such death and injury in war. Millions of families suffer today through the impacts of disability and loss, and millions more have done so throughout our history. We must remember, and we must be quick with a "thank you."
Happy Memorial Day 2022! Take a moment to pause and reflect on the many whose sacrifices underlie our world, our present, and our future.
