Defining Memorial Day

As I searched desperately for a new topic to write a story on, my father David who spent 6 ½ years in the U.S. Navy suggested I do a piece on Memorial Day. I was immediately elated, thinking it a brilliant suggestion. Then, I realized that I had no earthly idea what Memorial Day was really all about. Memorial Day is defined as a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May every year, though it was formerly called Decoration Day. I wanted to know what this holiday meant to real veterans, however, so I set out to the William F. Green State Veteran’s Home in the hopes of being able to interview someone.

Dyed in the wool procrastinator that I am, I waited until two days before deadline to start interviews. The first time I visited, the woman who generally deals with press and interviews was out at lunch. When I returned shortly after two o’clock there still didn’t seem to be anyone who could help me out immediately, so I seated myself in the lobby as they called for a social worker over the P.A. system. As I waited, a gentleman who’d been in the hallway while I was speaking to the receptionist wheeled his power chair over and parked it next to my seat. Evidently, he’d heard me request an interview with one of the veterans, and was willing to help me in my plight, social worker or no because he spoke, “Would you like to write about me?”

A little stunned, but entirely delighted with his helpful demeanor I replied, “I’d love to, sir, if you don’t mind me asking you a few questions.”

I already knew that Memorial Day is supposed to commemorate U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country, according to its general definition stated on the Memorial Day History web site (http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html) established by David Merchant, but the first question I asked was, “What does Memorial Day mean to you, sir?”

The WWII veteran answered me immediately and with complete surety, “Memorial Day is about honoring the people who’ve served our country and didn’t make it home, more so than about the veterans that did.”

I nodded, knowing he was right, and felt compelled to ask another question. “What is the most memorable experience you’ve had while serving our country, sir?”

Again, he answered almost instantly. “My most memorable experience…? Being in the Normandy invasion, the biggest amphibious operation in the world with what some would call the greatest generation. June 6, 1944, it will be 68 years ago this year. I’d just turned 17 when I entered the service on March 3, 1943, and one year and three months later I was in the biggest naval operation, I’d say, in history. I had just turned 18, and I remember every minute of it. I went in it a boy, and came out of it a man. I came out of the service on March 4, 1946. During that time, I went through a number of unforgettable experiences, and I just hope that the people remember us the way we remembered them when we fought for them,” said Oscar Dumas, a retired Navy veteran who was part of the amphibious forces in WWII.

I thanked Mr. Dumas for his service and his time, but left the Veteran’s Home knowing I had another thank you that I needed to say, to all the United States Servicemen and women who gave their lives so that this country and their loved ones could continue to live as free people with a chance to make the world around them a better place. I discovered that Memorial Day is about being thankful for the people who were willing to go out into the world and sacrifice the most important thing of all, the gift of life that I might continue to live in a free country. I am thankful for all of our United States veterans and the servicemen and women who are currently serving, but sometimes it becomes too easy to forget the ones who are no longer with us.

Concerning the people who are currently serving, I emailed my friend Lcpl. Stewart, USMC, a native of Perdido who’s currently stationed in Japan with a few questions for him.

1. What made you choose the Marine Corps over the other branches of the military?

2. If you could go back and do it over again, would you do anything differently? 3. How does it feel to be serving your country as many servicemen and women have done before you?

4. How do you plan to observe your Memorial Day this year?

Stewart replied:

1. I was told I wouldn't be able to make it in the military, so I chose the hardest thing to do just to prove people wrong.

2. Not really, maybe I would have squared away a few personal issues first but overall no, I wouldn't change a thing.

3. There is a pride that comes with wearing the uniform and knowing that you fight so others don’t have to.

4. I’ll probably just chill on base and go to religious services, then square away my uniforms.

This Memorial Day I hope that we all will remember the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and for this country. Even though I’m not sure they can hear me, I will thank the departed for all that they’ve done for me, no matter what war they fought in. This holiday may originally have been established to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War, but after WWI it was changed to include those who died in any war or military action. It is my hope that all of them will be remembered and honored this Memorial Day.