Parades are planned in several York County communities on Memorial Day, giving residents a chance to turn out and applaud participating veterans groups as they pass by. Scouting and other youth groups will take part, along with marching bands, businesses and community groups of all stripes, all in support of our veterans.
The parades are usually accompanied by ceremonies ”“ solemn affairs that remember those who died in the line of duty.
It’s important for all of us to take a little time out from our barbecues and relaxation on this long weekend to attend these events. How disheartening for veterans to see poor turnout for Memorial Day, when their brothers and sisters in arms who they lost in combat are honored.
Whatever one feels about military actions of the past or today, if the experience of Vietnam veterans’ homecoming has taught us anything, it’s that veterans and their families need and deserve our support.
When most people think of veterans, they picture very old men whose service was many years ago, in a war most of us have only read about in history books. The reality is that veterans are men and women, ranging from their 90s to early 20s. They served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War or the Middle East conflicts of the 1980s through today. Among them are the young man with the 1,000-yard stare who has seen more horrors than he’ll ever be able to come to terms with; the Vietnam veteran who takes his own life after years of depression; the amputee who is struggling to walk again and manage survivor’s guilt. Veterans are also the coworkers who bring their teamwork skills and work ethic to the office, the legislators who serve us in political office and the motorcyclists raising money for charitable causes.
Memorial Day is a day to remember our war dead, yes, but it’s the living who see our commitment to honoring those memories. It’s those living veterans, and the families of veterans both dead and alive, who live with the knowledge of whether or not we even care about their loved ones’ ultimate sacrifice. That’s why it’s so important for us to simply show up.
Many people take this long weekend to enjoy the relaxation and parades that kick off the summer season, or see it as a celebration of our armed forces and the security they provide for the American ideal of freedom. But there’s something deeper here, too.
Honoring our war dead together, who died in the name of a cause much greater than themselves ”“ freedom ”“ is a show of unity, not only as Americans, but as human beings.
Memorial Day began after the Civil War, according to the Veterans Administration website, as a way to recognize those who had died fighting for their country, whatever side they were on. It started informally, as some in the South saw that Union graves were not being decorated and took it upon themselves to place flowers there. It was then, and is now, a show of solidarity and respect.
Whether you believe all military action is wrong or you’re a strong supporter of our armed forces’ efforts here and abroad, we urge you to make it a point to show up for your community’s Memorial Day event, and bring your children. For details on those events, see our parade and ceremony listing today on page A1.
Amidst all the excitement of the first “summer weekend,” let’s all make a point to tell our surviving veterans that they’re not alone ”“ not in remembering the fallen, and not in being remembered themselves for their sacrifices.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, Ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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