A Not So Puzzling Memorial Day Truth

For many years I have wondered why this nation’s youngest generation (my generation) struggles to understand the military service of their grandparents and great-grandparents. You see few young people in cemeteries or at Memorial Day services, unless they are drug there by their parents.

It certainly could be that these tributes are boring to them (I know they were to me at one time). But I think a larger reason might be behind their lack of interest. War-fighting is nowhere near as main-stream as it was 50 years ago. In fact, only a small sub-set of the population has a direct relative fighting in the military.

You have to go back to World War II or Vietnam to understand the impact that mass military mobilization can have on a society. Even if your father or brother wasn’t fighting in the war, your neighbor or relative was. The nation’s economy was pointed towards the war effort. Constant reminders existed wherever you went…work, school, or the store. Today, Americans can easily ignore the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq. They can go to the mall or to school without being reminded of the price military men and women are paying for them at that very second.

I think something can also be said for America’s war track record. WWII was this country's finest hour. We became the dominant world power with our victories over Germany and Japan. A budding middle class, road network, higher education, racial and economic equality were born out of that war.

Our efforts since then have not been so successful. We were able to deliver a stalemate at the 38th parallel in Korea. Yet, few remember Korean War Vets in the way we remember World War II or Vietnam Vets. The Vietnam War to this day leaves a sour taste in many Americans mouth, both from the actions in Indochina and here at home.

Operation Desert Storm was a huge success for the military, but was extremely short lived. And many Americans simply wish the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would just go away. They are tired of funding them and watching the casualties pile up on the evening newscasts.

Therefore, it’s no small mystery that the public now focuses on Memorial Day as the official start of the summer. They anxiously look forward to the backyard fun this day brings. And though I have never been one to bash family fun, I think it’s important that we pay proper homage to those who lost their lives so we can have barbeques and beach fun.

If only for the two or three days out of the year we are suppose to…