Memorial Lite

It is Memorial Day, a day on which all of us are asked to pause and reflect upon all of our fallen heroes, the ones who fought and died making this country what it is today.

As with nearly every holiday in this country, this one has been commercialized to death (both literally and figuratively speaking) and has become more about a free day from work, eating (especially anything that you can grill..on a stick), major store-wide clearance sales, and of course movie hopping. In short, unless you are one of the most devout who actually takes a moment (at 3:00 pm, specifically) to remove your hat and put your hand over your heart, you might observe that Memorial Day has become 4th of July lite.

The interesting thing is I think this is OK.* Let me explain:

It is an honor to the fallen that we do get to do all of those flippant, flibberdegibbit things: movies and sales and homemade ice-cream and such. In other words, because we really don't have to worry about our security on a day to day basis, the fact that we get to spend our money on entertainment and travel, the idea that we actually want to hang out with friends and family and feast or throw Frisbees is a true testament to the soldiers' work.

But before I ask you to stand and salute a sparkling, blinking "God Bless America" singing American flag icon here on this blog, I should make it clear that though I do appreciate the soldiers themselves (and teach many of them who choose to 'join-up' at the tender age of 17), I still stand firm in that I do not agree with, nor am I an advocate of the current war mongering/bullying politics that put them in harms way. And I get to write these words without a whole lot of ridicule because I live in a country where, though its not really regarded seriously or at all, I do get to voice a differing opinion without worry.. within certain parameters, of course.. (enthusiastically waving at the camera) Hi Big Brother!!

(a whole new topic for a different post)

Anyway, Happy Memorial Day! May your burgers be juicy, may your beer be cold, and may you enjoy the new Indiana Jones movies as much as I did! :)


*I know! It's not my usual rant on consumerism and the evil capitalists! I have this vision of you guys stepping outside, shading your eyes, and looking around for flying pigs.. Whatever.