While you are taking time off today for Memorial Day in the US, try to remember why we remember.
I’ve written a few times of my disdain for spam, junk e-mail. There just seems something more intrusive, and more distasteful about it, than other kinds of unwanted solicitation. Recently, I started getting emails from something called “Patriotic Points.” It’s a poorly written, poorly disguised bit of campaign dreck spouting the lies we’ve all been on added with since November 2020. Normally I just click on the ”this is spam, keep it away from me” button and let the email client do its work, but this time I (foolishly) clicked “unsubscribe.” Within the week I was bombarded with a variety of ‘newsletters’ all with different names and subjects, but from the same email address each calling themselves American, Patriotic, Truth-seekers, but none of them living up to their self-acclaimed appellations.
I find something particularly sad about his year’s Memorial Day. So many people are calling themselves or others “patriots” who have never lived the word. It seems we’ve been too concerned Artificial Intelligence misleading us, we forget politicians invented the AI process. For 10 years I woke in a Memorial Day and dressed in uniform, not for a parade or a cemetery honor guard, but to report for duty. None of those years were spent in combat zones, but each day for all of them started not knowing that. Steadily, we performed our duties in training knowing that one day we could report for duty and be loaded into a transport plane for a point to be announced en route. We were not heroes, but we were and are patriots, as in the real definition of patriot.
So today when you see the parade pass by or see a flag wave, remember why we remember. “Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” (Adlai Stevenson)
Happy Memorial Day
As we move through life, our needs change and so do the energy and interest we pay to activities and events. As one interest wanes, another rises to keep the mind and body moving at the same energy level. It all works out.
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Wow, Michael, you capture the sad state of affairs today so well. I was incredibly moved by your sentence, “None of those years were spent in combat zones, but each day for all of them started not knowing that. ”
Thank you for your years reporting for duty! Happy Memorial Day!
Thank you Wynne. It was an experience. I kept a fully packed duffle bag by the door and had an over shoulder go bag with me everywhere. I still remember a morning getting a call to report to the airfield where we were loaded into a transport plane, closed up and took off for point unknown. Some 4 hours later we landed 30 miles from where we started for a monthlong field exercise. But we were in the air long enough we could have popped up in any of a half dozen hot spots of the time.
Wow, wow, wow!
The Adlai Stevenson quote is a keeper. He’s a hero from around these parts. Just as Wynne said, you’ve described the “dreck” (what a great word!) so well. Happy Memorial Day to you. 💕
Thank you!
Stevenson’s quote is the truth of the matter. A lovely post that describes where we are today, I say with sadness.
I’m behind on emails, but this is as timely as you writing it in honor of Memorial Day. You, my friend, are a true patriot, one who faithfully served without contempt or recognition, showing up day in and day out because it was the right thing to do. You are a hero in the very essence of the word–faithful service being done without expecting to be honored for your work. True heroes are those who sacrifice themselves for what’s right because it’s the right thing to do. I appreciate your service.
Thank you Dayle. Much appreciated!