This is Fleet Week in New York City. A week when, since 1982, New York City hosts various American naval and Coast Guard ships and Times Square fills with hundreds, if not thousands of sailors and marines.
And most importantly, this is Memorial Day. And that’s the issue.
Americans have largely forgotten the meaning and intent of Memorial Day and see it as just another much needed 3-day weekend, tentpole movies and sales at BestBuy.
Memorial Day started after the Civil War to honor those who died in America’s most epic struggle, with itself. We have honored those memories in all wars since as evidenced by flag waving patriotic little parades in small towns from sea to shining sea.
But for this Memorial Day, I would like to pose an alternative thought. Not to replace the memories of those who died but to add an awareness of those who serve now.
It’s easy to wave our little flags, chant “USA, USA!” and have our pictures taken with service members while we go about our civilian lives oblivious to the personal hell of thousands of living service and ex-service men and women who struggle to maintain or regain the lives they left behind after surviving the hell of war. The hell we don’t know. The hell all the “USA, USA!” chants cannot hide.
It’s too easy for politicians, of whatever stripe and whatever country, to incite the emotions of fear, hatred and vengeance. This is how the seeds of war are planted, nurtured and sown. And make no mistake, this is the realm of what men do. Men rattle the sabres. Men incite hatred and violence. And it is almost always men that make the case for and explain the necessity of, war.
So this Memorial Day, I want to put a living face to our commitment to war. So that hopefully, we can think a little deeper, question a little more, before we let our politicians flag-wave us down this path again.
I don’t know this sailor. I saw his face in a crowd in Times Square. For me, he represents the very real humanness of a military.
For every sailor, soldier or airman and woman, there is a life, dreams for the future and a family left behind to fret and worry until they return. And often, the worries and hardship continue even then.
So this Memorial Day, let’s put a face on it. It’s not about the pride we take in our bristling armaments. It’s about the care we take to consider the lives of those that sail, fly and march their way into war to use them.
Thanks for everyone who sacrificed to wear an American uniform. And for those that still do, get home soon and safely.
Bob Estremera