Hot Take: Today IS about BBQs and parties, too

Honor our fallen with the sounds of laughter, merriment, and freedom

Saturday night, my wife suggested a quick trip through Arlington National Cemetery.

It’s close enough that we can easily do it. She hasn’t been since she was 12. I haven’t been in about five years. And the kids have never been.

So yesterday, we loaded up the car and swung through.

The kids asked lots of questions, ranging from easy and straightforward like “how did you know this person?” To more emotionally difficult, “how did he die?” and all the way to very complicated and complex questions like, “did you kill anyone” or “why didn’t you just arrest them instead?”

They were quiet and respectful when appropriate, for example while laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They were curious about the stories of honor and valor encapsulated by many of the 400,000 men and women buried in the cemetery. And they giggled cheerfully at stories of good memories, too.

Visitors (incl. my children) la…