Memorial Day weekend is a celebration that is enjoyed by many American families across the nation. Its a great to time to celebrate the beginning of summer and gill out and just enjoy the great sunny weather! Personally I always look forward to my fathers grilling, such as steaks, burgers, hot dogs, bbq grilled chicken, brats, corn on the cob...MM! You cannot forget all the amazing potato salads, macaroni salads, and the delicious summertime desserts and lemonade!
Americans in my opinion have lost the true meaning of Memorial Day. Yes its wonderful to share time with family and grill out, but do we really celebrate the day for which it was created for? Our countries veterans and active duty men and women constantly fought and are still fighting and working for us to be free and to protect us so that we can live our safe lives. Many gave up their lives just so we could spend time with our families and not worry about being or feeling unsafe. Memorial day is something that gets turned into a day of rejection instead of a day of remembrance.
In high school, my schools marching band always played for our local towns Memorial day parade. A parade to honor those who have fought and lost their lives and those that still are fighting to this day. We all honestly dreaded it just because it was the LAST performance of the year and it was usually after we have already finished our classes for the year. Honestly, I looked forward to this performance because it was my little way to give back to the community and to those veterans and active duty personnel. We would start to march at the Local VFW and head for the cemetery where the Memorial Day ceremony was held. Many people would march behind us towards the cemetery to watch the ceremony. People of all ages came to witness this. We played a couple of songs, the local reverend read a devotion to us all and there was the laying of the wreath to remember all of those men and women. Very small, very intimate, but it honestly meant a lot to me.
Growing up in a very strong based Christian and military based family, my beliefs about those to things grew very strong. My family always taught me how to respect and honor my god, my country, my troops, and my family (of course). I was raised to always respect the flag and stand when it is carried or being raised, to take my cap off, to put my hand over my heart, to sing our countries National Anthem, and to always respect those military personnel.
I had the privilege to watch a couple of my friends graduate high school over the weekend and every graduation was different except for one thing. They all either played the Star Spangled Banner, or recited the Pledge of Allegiance. At my high school alumni, we sang the National Anthem, only a few put their right hand on their hearts and only a few sang with the choir. It amazed me to see how our countries people do not know what to do when the song is played. When I went to my friends graduation, there was this young girl in front of me with (I hate the world attitude). Michael W. Smiths "I Can Only Imagine" was playing while the audience waited for the commencement to start. This girl just yelled "for real? a Christian song? Wow...how gay." I thought to myself, why didnt her mother say anything to her? I just let it go. Then when it came time for the Pledge of Allegiance, she stood there chomping her gum and twirling her hair and did not put her hand over her heart, nor did she say the Pledge. Now that was the last straw with me but I chose to say nothing.
It sickens me to see that there are still people in this world. To see someone so hateful and disrespectful do something like that in front of hundreds of people was just disgusting. What are our schools teaching these kids? I know when I was in elementary school, we had a moment of silence, said the pledge of allegiance, and we sang one patriotic song every day. Thats how I was raised. I dont know if the schools have taken that out but I know in Jr. High, I didnt have to do any of those things and i thought it was odd.
America, I challenge you this. We are the strongest country on earth and yet we still lack pride and respect. I challenge you to start to sing the SSA if you dont already. I challenge you to respect the flag and take your had off when the pledge is said, to put your hand over your heart when either one is conducted. I challenge you to think about what I have just wrote. Dont be afraid to be respectful. Its the right thing to do. You are the one that looks dorky, lame, and uncool if you dont respect and do the things you should do during those times: not the ones who are doing what they are supposed to.
America, lets remember those who fought, died, lived, and are still working and fighting up until this very second, and beyond this day. Lets give them our upmost respect today and forever because without them, you may be praying to Buddha, or be Muslim, or some other forced religion. You wont be free and safe like we are today. You wouldnt have the freedom to pray to who you want, marry who you want, live where you want, buy what you want, or go to school even or have the job you so long desire. Let us who remember help those who dont respect and choose to look like the fools!
America, lets be Americans again.
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