This year, 2020, we are observing Memorial Day like no other year…social distancing. As I read the many great debates on social media about the national (and some state) cemeteries curbing organized groups from placing flags, the debates almost make me laugh. I seriously do not understand why so many are so upset over flags placed on graves that honor way more than those we should be honoring on Memorial Day. Before you get upset with my last sentence, think about it. In recent memory, it has become customary to place flags on the headstones of everyone interred in a national or state cemetery. While it makes for a beautiful sight to behold, does it send the wrong message? I believe it does.
Memorial Day is to honor and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while on active duty. Not everyone laid to rest in a national or state cemetery fits that definition. There are public servants, college professors, military dependents, and many other classifications of individuals who are authorized to be buried at some national and state cemeteries. If you were not aware of that, I encourage you to check it out! Placing flags on ALL the graves continues to lead to major confusion, whereas if flags were placed only on the fallen, Memorial Day could be less confusing. I believe it would be relatively easy for each cemetery director (or supervisor) to research those interred and place flags on the graves of those who died while on active duty – those we honor and remember on Memorial Day.
And should public opinion want to see flags on ALL the headstones, I say let’s put flags on all the headstones in our national and state cemeteries on the birthday of our nation – 4th OF JULY! All those who raised their right hand and swore, “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” It’s the United States that we swear to support and defend, the country with a birthday of July 4th each year. So, why not honor those who support and defend our country on the anniversary of our country!! Truly something to think about…
Flags in, or flags out for Memorial Day 2020? It matters not, to me. It’s not the placing of a flag that allows me to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while on active duty. It’s something I do each and every day, flag, or not. So, perhaps this will be the year when you place a flag in your front yard and honor the fallen in your own personal way.
If you have read this far, please remember all those we honor and remember on Memorial Day – to include my favorite Soldier!
