Memorial Day: Remember the Fallen
It’s not just about the party — Memorial Day honors Americans who gave their lives in service to the nation
Memorial Day is the day we remember those who fell in defense of this nation.
It’s not Veteran’s Day — that’s for those who served. It’s not Armed Forces Day — that’s for those who are serving now.
It’s an important distinction to make, I think, because it reminds us of the potential cost of military service.
We honor those who were willing to pay that cost on Veteran’s Day, and those who are willing on Armed Forces Day. How much more, then should we honor those who paid that ultimate cost?
Last year for Memorial Day, I asked a simple question:
Could we honor our fallen by making sure we add as few to their ranks as possible in the future?
I had high hopes that Trump 47 would continue in the same “no new foreign wars” vein as Trump 45 — but that was not to be.
In that piece, I quoted from an article by Doug Bandow:
“There is no duty for any government more fundamental than protecting its people. The Constitution speaks of the “common defense.” But that means of Americans, not the world. Most importantly, that also means defense. Not conducting grand crusades around the globe to bring paradise to earth.”
I still think it’s a valid question. Even more, I think it’s something we should aspire to — because the last few decades (and especially the last few months) have shown us that those “grand crusades around the globe to bring paradise to earth” haven’t really turned out well for the average American.
So while you’re grilling and eating and drinking tomorrow, keep in mind what the day is supposed to really be about.
It’s about remembering those who aren’t around to party with us, and why they are not.
Dr. Bill Chitwood is the Managing Editor of ALPolitics.com. He is the author, under his nom de guerre Doc Contrarian, of Beyond MAGA: From Trump campaign slogan to political movement to restoring the Republic. He identifies as Conservatarian Contrarian and a staunch Constitutional Originalist. He enjoys being called a First Amendment Nazi — mainly because he is.
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