[The present entry is written on the occasion of an American national
holiday: Memorial Day. However, it is not addressed exclusively to the American
audience. Other audiences may hopefully get some benefit from it as well.]
This day in America is for many citizens just a long weekend. Sometimes,
however, we hear people saying to each other: “Happy Memorial Day!”
But we are not wishing the same to the readers of this blog. Wishing
happiness on this day feels thoughtless and downright cynical. Memorial Day is
not about happiness. It is about death. Yes, this is a solemn day of
remembering the military dead.
Unfortunately, solemn memories are not in vogue in this day of positive
thinking. Indeed, many memories, especially the unhappy ones, are a great
inconvenience. Society does not encourage them, except when they are properly
spinned by the proper authorities, in pursuit of their “happy” agendas…
But societies must have
memories. Without memories, without history, societies degenerate. Tragedy is
the stuff heroism is made of, thus, it is destructive to social morale to
diminish the role of tragic memories.
So, this is our plea to the young generation. Remember Memorial Day. But
more importantly, learn what it stands for, and remember that.
A solemn Memorial Day to you all. Do not let memories soaked in sacred
blood of the fallen fade away.
Alexander and Galina.
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