Thoughts on Memorial Day
In years past, I wonder how many people saw Memorial Day as an opportunity for: 1. A three-day weekend 2. A chance to check out some holiday sales on washers, dryers, stereo equipment, and mattresses 3. An opportunity to go flying frisbees and eating sandwiches in the park Memorial Day is one of those holidays where you can't help feeling a twinge of guilt. Weirdly enough, it's one of the few holidays--apart from Easter--meant to celebrate the deaths of people who made great sacrifices. Nobody feels guilty about celebrating Easter. Of course, that particular holiday is full of pagan symbols to make it more appealing to little kids. But Memorial Day is meant as a day to honor our country's fallen. Like so many other people, I've been sleeping in late, biking, and going to the park as the days finally, at long last, feel like summer. But in the back of my head are these words: Iraq. Situation FUBAR. Walter Reed. Troops without body armor. Clueless chickenhawks. ...