Memorial Day, 2012

With few words and a handful of photographs from a recent family vacation, on Memorial Day in 2009 I published the first of what would become a series of posts on our nation’s legal holidays. My thought was that some reflection on the why of our holidays was a good thing. 

I've since ended the series, but I return to Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day because their why is too important.  Legal holidays become required holidays. Required becomes entitled. Entitled doesn’t ask why.

Memorial Day honors the men and women who gave “the last full measure of devotion” in service to our country. So before firing up the grill or saving money on a mattress, remember why the day used to be called Decoration Day.

You don’t need to go a ceremony or a cemetery to be grateful for what they did for you. You can stop for a moment and think about the families gathered at our 131 National Cemeteries and countless private graves across the land to remember their loved ones, men and women who made this day, and each day after it possible for you and your family.

With gratitude and in tribute to all who serve our country and risk everything for us: the National Anthem performed by the Colorado Children’s Chorale at opening ceremony for the 2008 Democratic Party National Convention here in Denver. (Note the Color Guard--these gentlemen are Navajo Code Talkers. It was cool to meet them.)