From the editor –
While scanning social media this morning, I saw it. I threw my hands in the air. I screamed, “Argh!” I was flabbergasted, disgusted and perturbed. The only thing keeping me from pounding my head against my desk was that the keyboard was in the way.
What set off this tantrum? It was that I saw a business post on social media containing three words that are like fingernails on a chalkboard or a dentist’s drill to me, “Happy Memorial Day!”
It’s Memorial Day, a single day onto which we have reduced the solemn remembrance and respect of over one million who have died fighting for the United States of America, a day when we flock to cemeteries across our country decorating military graves and hold ceremonies acknowledging the greatest sacrifice they and their families could make.
So then what would possess someone, anyone, to exclaim “Happy Memorial Day!?” My only guess is that for them it simply signifies the start of the summer season. For them it is about going shopping and having burgers and hot dogs on the grill. They are not remembering and honoring our war dead.
Decoration Day was formally declared as a day to decorate the recently deceased Civil War soldiers’ graves. May 30th was chosen because it was not the anniversary of any particular battle.
But what about today? People can be forgiven for losing touch with something so long ago. But over the last decade several thousand more men and women have died in the armed forces serving our country. Seems that would be enough to put Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day, in the forefront of peoples minds. Maybe not.
Today, starting at noon, the 50th annual Festival of Flags and remembrance ceremony will be held at Greenacres Cememtery (at Axton Road and Northwest Avenue). There will be food and drink but more importantly there will be speakers there to honor our heroes. There also are several other opportunities around Ferndale and Whatcom County to pay your respects on this solemn day of remembrance (including at Enterprise Cemetery where the picture above was taken).
So while I hope you have a happy Memorial Day, as I would on any day, I also hope you will take some time to respectfully remember the heroes, especially those from your community, who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that you can enjoy
- open yet protected borders
- freedom to travel at your leisure
- freedom from unreasonable search and seizure
- the freedom to speak against your government without fear of ending up in prison or dead
- living without fear of imminent attack from a foreign enemy
Don’t ever take those things for granted because they come at a high price.