Memorial Day usually signals the start of the summer season. Maybe it still does, but this year things are certainly different. In the past, I have generally treated the Memorial Day weekend as an opportunity to drink beer, bar-b-que, and simply have some fun. You might say I was clueless to the real meaning of Memorial Day.
A couple of years ago my wife and I were fortunate enough to be in Honolulu over the Memorial Holiday weekend, where we were able to visit Pearl Harbor, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and the Lantern Festival at Ala Moana Beach. As we visited each site through the weekend I quickly realized Memorial Day was not just a reason to drink beer and eat hot dogs. Memorial Day became something more to me. Seeing the USS Arizona at the bottom of the bay and the stark solemnness of the boat ride to and from the site made it clear me that Memorial Day is important. It finally did become a day of remembrance.
Most if not all the activities that we tend to enjoy this time of year are cancelled due to the corona virus epidemic. I can get past that fact that I will not be able to sit at a local bar or go a festival. It’s not that big of a deal. What does tear at me a little is all the ceremonies that are being cancelled. It’s a shame that veterans will not be honoring their fallen as they have been accustomed to doing.
So, as a small tribute, we post this blog today to honor the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom…and celebrate Memorial Day. Thank You.