Memorial Day 2020

For One Day Stop Thinking COVID-19 and Start Honoring the Shadows of Fallen Soldiers    

Mark Twain said patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government only when it deserves it. 

That’s a clever quote.  Especially during this pandemic when everything seems to become politicized by politicians and the media.  And politicians love to wrap their words in the cloak of patriotism.  Therefore, this Memorial Day is the perfect time for a moment of reflection about the real meaning of patriotism and selfless service to our country. 

Memorial Day is not about supporting your country nor your government.  It also is not about honoring veterans, although we should still proudly applaud their service.  Veterans were fortunate enough to come home (though many are wounded and disabled) and they are honored on Veteran’s Day. 

Memorial Day was instituted after the Civil War to honor all those who died during that terrible time.  It was originally called Decoration Day.  Today, it almost seems like Memorial Day just honors the official start of summer, outdoor barbecues, and retail sales events.   Somewhere along the line we dropped the part about officially honoring those who died in service to our country and opted instead for honoring shopping and grilling.

It’s worth repeating, Memorial Day is all about honoring those men and women who lost their lives while serving in America’s military.  Memorial Day reminds us that whether we are veterans or never served in the military, we all have a responsibility to honor and keep alive the memory of those soldiers who have died for our freedom.  One of them was our oldest son, Todd.  Beverly and I feel strongly the best way to honor his memory, and the memory of all those who have fallen in America’s wars and conflicts, is through continuing to serve others as those fallen veterans have served us. 

You don’t have to agree with the decisions our government has made; you don’t have to agree with the wars and conflicts America has engaged in.  But it behooves you to ignore the ultimate sacrifice so many men and women have made for you and your country.  In fact, I’ll bet many of those dead soldiers thought our politicians would have been more cautious if they and their families were required to fight right next to them.  No soldier wants to die.  It’s up to us, the living, to never forget their sacrifice.  Beverly and I and our surviving children will never forget.

One last comment, the silence of dead soldiers should sing louder than the noise of barbecues, mattress sales, and even our national anthem.  Remember that on Memorial Day. 

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Ian Wahl is the founder and clinical director of St. Louis Allergy Relief Center, a holistic allergy and asthma clinic in Chesterfield, MO. For more information see www.StLouisAllergyRelief.com or call 314-384-9304 to reserve your spot at their next monthly Thursday evening introductory workshop to learn how their all natural treatments help relieve seasonal and chronic sinus, skin, stimuli, and food allergies.

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