Memorial Day 2006
25 May 2006 @ 14:56 hours
The Boulder City News published my commentary on May 27, 2006:
On Monday, let us not forget the true meaning of Memorial Day. To many folks, Memorial Day is merely a three-day weekend marking the beginning of summer vacation. With each passing year, the true meaning of Memorial Day is diluted. This is probably due in part to two events, Congress passing the National Holiday Act of 1971, changing Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday in May, thus creating another three-day week-end, and the end of the military draft in 1973.
As a full-time deputy sheriff and part-time graduate student at the University of South Carolina almost ten years ago, one of my criminology professors asked me what did I believe was the reason for the proliferation of drug use and related crime such as domestic violence?
I pondered his question and replied that since we now had a second generation of males who never faced compulsory military service, we in essence gradually created a sub-culture of pleasure-seekers who know every constitutional right, know little of civic responsibility, and know nothing of sacrifice. I added that a small percentage of the populace was drafted into the military, but the majority that did not serve at least appreciated those who did, especially after lottery numbers were announced.
A side benefit of the draft was the long waiting lists of Reserves and National Guard units. Millions who joined the National Guard or Reserves had, at the end of six years, a greater appreciation of freedom, free time, and the success of working with folks from all socio-economic strata.
Almost every baby boomer has a relative who served his country, and as such, understands sacrifice. My late father, a retired United States Marine, began his service at age 17 at the end of World War II. Two of my uncles, now deceased, saw combat; one storming the beaches of Normandy where he was wounded twice. Both uncles returned home to live meaningful lives, as did millions of others.
Thomas Jefferson said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants”. More importantly, Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”. This weekend, take a moment to remember, but more importantly appreciate, the ultimate sacrifices of our sons and daughters. Our continued success as a free country has been paid for dearly and we must never forget the meaning of Memorial Day – to honor our war dead.
On Monday, let us not forget the true meaning of Memorial Day. To many folks, Memorial Day is merely a three-day weekend marking the beginning of summer vacation. With each passing year, the true meaning of Memorial Day is diluted. This is probably due in part to two events, Congress passing the National Holiday Act of 1971, changing Memorial Day from May 30th to the last Monday in May, thus creating another three-day week-end, and the end of the military draft in 1973.
As a full-time deputy sheriff and part-time graduate student at the University of South Carolina almost ten years ago, one of my criminology professors asked me what did I believe was the reason for the proliferation of drug use and related crime such as domestic violence?
I pondered his question and replied that since we now had a second generation of males who never faced compulsory military service, we in essence gradually created a sub-culture of pleasure-seekers who know every constitutional right, know little of civic responsibility, and know nothing of sacrifice. I added that a small percentage of the populace was drafted into the military, but the majority that did not serve at least appreciated those who did, especially after lottery numbers were announced.
A side benefit of the draft was the long waiting lists of Reserves and National Guard units. Millions who joined the National Guard or Reserves had, at the end of six years, a greater appreciation of freedom, free time, and the success of working with folks from all socio-economic strata.
Almost every baby boomer has a relative who served his country, and as such, understands sacrifice. My late father, a retired United States Marine, began his service at age 17 at the end of World War II. Two of my uncles, now deceased, saw combat; one storming the beaches of Normandy where he was wounded twice. Both uncles returned home to live meaningful lives, as did millions of others.
Thomas Jefferson said, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants”. More importantly, Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”. This weekend, take a moment to remember, but more importantly appreciate, the ultimate sacrifices of our sons and daughters. Our continued success as a free country has been paid for dearly and we must never forget the meaning of Memorial Day – to honor our war dead.
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