Today was Memorial Day, the other federal holiday that recognises the sacrifices made by the armed forces. Later in the year, the nation commemorates Veterans Day, which focuses on those who served. Memorial Day is dedicated to those who died serving.
You wouldn’t guess it though. What should be a solemn and respectful day has been superseded with celebrating the start of summer. I was at the butcher the other day, and it was absolutely teeming. My inbox is inundated with 30% off discounts for things ranging from microwaves to mattresses; two things I do not need. If I didn’t know the background, I would never have guessed the occasion.
In some ways, this is a good thing. While America maintains a muscular foreign policy, it’s not particularly deadly, at least for Americans. There will, sadly, always be those who make the ultimate sacrifice, but the rivers of blood that stained the grounds of Europe and Asia in the 20th century have not been repeated. The chances of an enlisted soldier dying today is far, far less than 100 years ago.
As fewer people are touched by the war death toll, the less important the day feels, and the more important discounts on toasters become.