The juxtaposition of what Memorial Day commemorates with how the vast majority of Americans spend the day is always jarring to me. Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in our Armed Forces (Note it is NOT the same as Veterans Day, which honors those who served honorably in those same Armed Forces). It’s always felt to me that the observations most towns make, be they parades or wreath-laying services or commemoration of local war dead, seemed far more appropriate than the barbeques, picnics, sports tournaments (see: how Casa Brillig spent its weekend, at the soccer field), treks to open spaces and other celebratory fun events marking the unofficial start of Summer.
And yet, if we could ask those honored dead what they died fighting for, I suspect it likely would be exactly those things. Life. Peace. Liberty. Freedom. Smoked pulled pork with BBQ sauce. Apple pie and picnic blankets and music.
My heart is so very heavy this weekend. Twenty one children and their teachers murdered because it was very, very easy for one newly-minted eighteen year old adult to purchase a weapon of mass destruction and walk into a school while police stood around staying ‘safe’. Untold numbers of Ukrainian men, women and children have been deprived of life, liberty, and the very country they call home. Primarily white theocrats posing as elected officials and the ever-increasing title Justice work actively to take away MY rights to bodily autonomy, self-determination, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
And yet, I took time to remember why we observe Memorial Day. I am lucky that in my known family history there are no war casualties, but I know many people who can name their dead. I listened at 3pm to see whether anyone nearby was a musician participating in Taps Across America. And after the last game of a three day soccer tournament (alas, K2’s team lost in the final) we sat outside, enjoyed one another’s company, and smoked a Costco-sized pork butt for pulled pork sandwiches (actually tomorrow’s dinner because of how long it took, so we made due with leftover grilled steak tips from yesterday, feeling no deprivation whatsoever).
I hope you had a good weekend, too. Tell us about it in the comments.
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