For a lot of Americans, today is a day of cook outs and fun and a day off from work. But I’d like to talk a little bit about the real purpose of Memorial Day.
Originally started as a way to honor Union soldiers who died in the American Civil War, the holiday was known as Decoration Day until it was expanded after WWI to honor soldiers who fell in any armed conflict. Today, we’re honoring those members of the armed forces who died to make sure we could continue to have a (relatively) free country.
And all that is wonderful and good.
But I’d like to see us also celebrate those soldiers, sailors, air men, marines and other members of the armed forces who actually made it out alive. I know we’ve got Veteran’s Day for that, but I think it’s important to let them know we’re thinking about them more than one time a year. Now, if you know me, you know I’m not one to buy into the fetishization of the armed forces, making them out to be paragons of virtue who can do no wrong.
However, they have chosen a dangerous occupation, one designed to keep me safe at very little risk to me. For that, they deserve more than just complacency. They deserve our thanks and our appreciation.
So, here it is. Thanks, dudes and dudettes. Thanks for taking on the hard job. Thanks for doing your job when you’re sometimes being directed by idiots and doing it to the best of your ability. Thank you for your sacrafice. Thank you for your dedication.
Now get out there and find a service member to thank.
– Richard
Tags: A Dude's Guide to Life, American Civil War, anger, Armed Conflict, Armed Forces, Complacency, cook, Cook Outs, Dangerous Occupation, Decoration Day, Dedication, dude, Dude's, Dudette, Dudettes, Hard Job, Marines, Memorial Day, men, Paragons, Purpose Of Memorial Day, Sacrafice, safe, Sailors, Service Member, Union Soldiers, Vet, veteran's day, Virtue, Wwi