It is ostensibly the most solemn of our federal holidays dating back to the end of the Civil War.
Indeed, I made a point today of walking by the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Riverside Park which is dedicated to those who fell on the Union side.
On the other hand, Memorial Day is deemed the beginning of summer and as such is a day of escape and frivolity.
As I noted last November 11th when I compared Veterans Day in the United States with Remembrance Day in Canada I made the case that Remembrance Day was more solemn than both Veterans Day and especially Memorial Day because "despite our best efforts has become a day of reverie synonymous with barbecues."
The paradox has become far more glaring in 2020 with COVID-19. Images of a large pool party in the Missouri Ozarks and a crowded boardwalk in Maryland over this Memorial Day weekend conveys an image of Americans as a frivolous, selfish lot either in denial or indifferent as we speed towards 100,000 deaths and counintg.
I understand the need the go outside and enjoy warm, fresh air and I certainly did that today, but I made a point of avoiding crowds which is why I walked across the street from Riverside Park where there were far fewer people milling about. I say this not as a recitation of virtue, but consideration for my fellow man. Yes, it is important to get fresh air and exercise while gathering one's daily bread. But spending a prolonged period of time among a large, dense crowd (especially while not wearing a face covering) does more harm than good. We should not engage in such activities until such time permits that it can be done without spreading an infectious and deadly disease. The bottom line is I don't see how such destructive behavior honors our fallen soldiers.
Of course, once COVID-19 no longer presents the lethal threat that it does now the Memorial Day paradox remains. How does one observe a holiday for those killed in battle by standing over a grill or tossing a frisbee?
The remedy to this paradox is to switch Memorial Day with Veterans Day. I think November 11th would be a more fitting day for Memorial Day. Before it was renamed Veterans Day after the Korean War, it was known as Armistice Day as it signified the end of WWI and lamented those who died in battle. Given that Veterans Day honors our living veterans wouldn't be better to honor them with a parade (once it is safe to do so) at the end of May rather than in the middle of November? If Veterans Day is in May then we can pay tribute to our living veterans and enjoy our freedoms which come with summer. If Memorial Day is in November we can pay tribute to those who have fallen as the leaves descend.
Consider it a modest proposal.
Regardless of whether this modest proposal is given any consideration, I would like to take this moment to honor all American servicemen who have died on the battlefield, in air or at sea in conflicts past and present in service to the United States of America.
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