“In Flanders fields the poppies blow /
Between the crosses, row on row . . .”
— John McCrae
I went to my son’s Memorial Day concert yesterday. We started with the Pledge of Allegiance, then the band played, and we sang the “Star-Spangled Banner,” “This Land Is Your Land,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” They then paused for the reading of one of my favorite poems, “In Flanders Fields,” and closed with the trumpets playing “Taps.” I had managed my expectations for the concert, like any middle school parent does, but it turned out to be a gift of remembrance and honor. As we start the Memorial Day weekend, let’s remember just what we are memorializing—the courage and honor of those who fought and died for our country.
The British are good at remembrance and honor. The last time I was in London, I had the chance to see the poppy exhibition at the Tower of London. A red ceramic poppy stood for every one of 888,246 soldiers of the British Commonwealth who died in World War I, filling the fields around the Tower.
There were large crowds, as people gathered to remember the dead. It was hard to hold back tears, and many didn’t even try. If you walk along the Thames, you will see World War II memorials, many with fresh wreaths on them. The British remember.
It was good to see my son’s school doing the same. They are not too young to understand how lucky we are as Americans, and to honor the men and women who fought and died to keep it that way.
This is the start of Memorial Day weekend—the weekend we go to the beach and barbecue, the weekend that marks the beginning of summer.
It should also be the weekend we remember and honor all those, living and dead, who served the U.S. in its wars.
America is a forward-looking nation. The past is gone; what matters is what’s next. This is the spirit that has made us, and kept us, great. But one day on one weekend each year is not too much to spend remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can go to the beach and barbecue.
As I’ve written before, gratitude has been shown to be one of the foundations of a happy life. Every day, I write down at least three things for which I am grateful.
This weekend, that list will include the freedoms, the prosperity, and the privileges I enjoy as a citizen of the United States of America—all due to the sacrifices of those who went before.
My family and I are indeed off to the beach, to play and, yes, to barbecue. We will, however, be taking some time to remember and to thank those who made our current lives possible. Thank you, all.
Have a great weekend.