There are 365 days in the year, and two of them — just two — are set aside for very special, very important, very American reasons.
Many, if not most, young people are abysmally ignorant as to the significance of either of these days.
Most people of all ages pay scant attention to these special days, and rarely if ever attend the observances that are conducted across our land.
By now you have identified the days about which I write: Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
The former, in May, began as Decoration Day. Memorial Day honors all who made the supreme sacrifice in our country’s wars. What, what indeed, could be more important than pausing for just a few fleeting moments in honor of those who gave their all?
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, began as an observance in recognition of the end of the Great War, which came to be known as World War I. On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, the guns fell silent on the “war to end all wars.” Such carnage the world had not known before. Had the United States ratified President Woodrow Wilson’s League of Nations, perhaps the next “great” war could have been prevented. Perhaps.
All that is “ancient” history, some will say. And history is boring.
And most folks really are history illiterates, some will say. That’s just the way it is.
Then I say: Let them go to Arlington. Let them go to France. Let them go to the many islands in the Pacific. Let them go to Gettysburg. Let them go to any cemetery in this country or around the world where our sons and daughters lie in eternal peace. Let them go.
Wherever the war, whatever your or my views were at the time, the very least — the very least — we can do is pause to honor, to reflect upon, to remember those who died, and all who have served our country in the armed forces.
There are 365 days in the year, and two of them — just two — are observed for very special reasons.
Do you have an hour or so on these two days that you might set aside for a purpose larger than yourself?
Do you?