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.
And as my wife and I talked, I remembered that many of the men and women I know that are now interred there were vivacious jokers that would likely prefer kids (and adults) playing and laughing today and remembering the good times more than the hardships that our warriors face in combat.
Several years ago, it was very much in vogue for basic bro vets to remind one another and anybody else that would listen that “Memorial Day isn’t for barbecues.”
Well, I’m saying they are. I’ve always preferred wakes to funerals. And many of the fallen that I know were the same way.
So I challenge everyone reading this that knew a hero that fell in combat to tell the funniest story and memory you can remember about them today.
Let us fill America with the sounds of laughter and merriment and gratitude for the freedom bought by the lives of more than 1.35 million American service members. Let us remain connected with them through our love of life and let us celebrate their memories as much as we mourn our loss.
That's wonderful. Well said. Thank you.