Memorial Day: 2016
As I look around at the chaos of our election, the growing income inequality problems, and a whole host of other issues that remain I become sickened as I reflect this Memorial Day.
On one hand, people celebrate the beginning of summer and use what is supposed to be a day of quiet remembrance as a day for parties, barbecues, and excess drinking (people do we really need a reason for this last one?)
Instead of reflecting on the price that so many Americans have paid so that we can party on a weekend, or whenever we want for that matter, we spend the time where we should be reflective celebrating.
But what are we celebrating? Freedom due to the sacrifices of others? I see this as a very heartless way to honor that price. And the veterans who reflect on this day and suffer bouts of despair remembering their fallen comrades? They are the ones utilizing this day as it was meant, and they are the most miserable of all.
Even worse, many veterans become dead, not in the line of duty, or natural causes, but via suicide due to untreated PTSD. I am filled with nausea that we have people who have power that are willing to send our men to die, but refuse to help the ones who live. It has always been my belief that to be a politician or have any say in politics, you must be required to serve in the armed forces, and your children must also serve.
I think people would be less willing to treat these heroic men and women as pawns if they had personal investment in them.
I have gone off on a rant, but I am tired of these heroes being immortalized in death, but being ignored in life. Also, I hate how the honored dead are being honored. There is no “Happy” in Memorial Day. It is a day of reflection. Not a day of parties.