Is Today A Holiday?
According to the Internet, the word Holiday means: A holiday is a designated day or period where normal business and work are suspended to commemorate a cultural, historical, or religious event, or simply to allow for rest.
A different type of Holiday
So I suppose in that context it is a holiday. But, the word holiday also conjures up time off, vacation, and fun. Doing the things you want to do, vs have to do. Which I find ironic since today is a holiday to remember those who served and fallen doing what they had to do for all of us to be able to take a holiday. Loop? yes. But not a fun one. Actually a sad and respectful one. It has always boggled my mind, the courage and sacrifice it takes to fight in combat. I thank god daily for never having to do that. And more importantly, thank the people that have. And the families that still feel that sacrifice. It’s the loved ones that carry the weight of it all.
I have been defined by some as an “Empath”. Basically an empath is the opposite of a narcissist. Empathy is the act of putting ourselves in other people’s shoes and reaching our hearts out to others. Which on the surface sounds like a good thing, but the dark side, is you also feel the negative at a very intense level. And to bring it back to what today is all about. I feel a very deep and raw sadness for the families, and imagine the fear and terror of the moment a solder realizes that they are done. For me, today is no happy holiday. Not a sad holiday, But a break from the routine to say THANK YOU for your sacrifice, to the families as well.
We do remember, we do care, we do respect. And we most importantly, are grateful.
Well said Matt. On this day we must honor and respect the men and women who gave us our freedom and pray for their families. God bless them all!
Well stated. I find it difficult to correct those who say “Happy Memorial Day”… knowing they mean well, but this is not a happy day. Being from a Military Family I appreciate that we didnt personally lose anyone to the many conflicts they participated in.
God Bless our military members and God Bless America!
Frank Eggert
son of RAdm Lowell F. “Gus” Eggert USN (ret) who gave me the appreciation of Wood Boats.
Gotta say Frank, I had looked him up before, He was one heck of a guy! Wow.
Well said Matt. And to active military members and veterans who have lost comrades, friends in their “military family”.
I submit this article about one of my four grandfathers for your Memorial Day reading.
Wow! That is wonderful!
I am just back from France, a boat ride on the Seine from Paris to Normandy (ok, a smaller river cruise ship). I wanted to go to Normandy again, to see the beaches, and visit the American Memorial Cemetery, overlooking Omaha Beach. About 10,000 soldiers are buried there, along with almost 1,600 names engraved on The Walls of the Missing whose remains were never recovered or identified. It is a sad, but beautiful setting, they rest in peace. I put it back on the bucket list to visit again. We need more wars…
Beautifully said, Matt.
In honor of all veterans.
🙏
Is nobody gonna mention a holiday could also be a run /excess varnish.
Been off the grid, and out of the loop. Just read your story, very well put Matt. A big thanks to all who gave all so we could all enjoy freedom.