What Memorial Day Means to Me – as a Veteran
YouTube video made for this post.
As an Army veteran, Memorial Day might mean something a little different to me than perhaps it does to you.
For most Americans, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer. It’s a chance to go camping, throw some meat on the BBQ, and have a nice 3-day weekend with family and friends.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that. Don’t get me wrong, I love 3-day weekends. But this Memorial Day, I’m taking time to reflect on what it means to me.
The Ceremony
Have you ever been to a military funeral or watched one on television? The precise movements and methodical actions of the honor guard. It’s a feat to witness.
What about a military funeral that wasn’t your uncle or grandfather who served 30-40 years ago? Perhaps someone that was your age or even younger who died in service to our country. Have you been to one of those?
Long before they play Taps at the orchestrated funeral, for soldiers currently serving, there’s a unit ceremony with roll call.
Even though it’s been nearly 15 years, I’ve tried to describe this event to my wife and kids a few times. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get through it without sobbing. So, I decided I’d try to write it out.
The ceremony starts with a display that includes a pair of boots, an upside-down military-issue rifle, a helmet, a pair of “dog tags,” and a framed photo of the fallen soldier. If you don’t know, imprinted on a service member’s “dog tags” are their name, social security number, and blood type (also known as their ID tags). To be used for identification purposes.
Amongst those present are fellow soldiers of the fallen service member’s unit. Along with friends, family, and service members from other units.
As the ceremony commences, those who knew the fallen soldier(s) will speak well of them and the chaplain will say some words. At the end is the roll call. And that’s where the tears start to flow if they hadn’t already.
The Roll Call
This is the hard part. The unit’s first sergeant will stand at the front of the room. In a loud voice, he/she will begin calling out members of their unit. They will be called by their rank and last name.
One by one, the soldier called will stand to attention and respond in an almost yell, “Here first sergeant!” This will go on for a handful of soldiers.
Eventually, the first sergeant will get to the fallen soldier. They will call their name as they had done the others – rank and last name. But there’s no response.
Imagine that the person who had fallen was a friend or a loved one. You know that the first sergeant knows that they’re gone. Yet, here they are calling his/her name.
The first time, it feels like that first sergeant had made a mistake. After two to three seconds, they call for your friend/loved one again. This time, they called for them by their rank, first name, and last name. And as expected, there’s still no response.
This second time, it almost feels personal. As if that first sergeant is just trying to get under your skin.
Finally, the first sergeant will call out the soldier by their rank, first name, middle name, and last name.
The first time, it hurt. The second time, it felt personal. And the third time, it was as if that first sergeant plunged the knife into your heart and twisted it for good measure.
Just like the other two times, there’s still no response.
It doesn’t take long for it to sink in. That soldier isn’t coming home. That soldier won’t be in formation today, tomorrow, or any other day going forward. And when you think you can’t take anymore, that’s when they play Taps.
When you live on post, every night when the flag is pulled down Taps is played. From the first to the last note, everyone and everything on the base stops. People get out of their vehicles, face the direction of the post flag, and salute it. Once the song is finished, life continues as usual.
In the same way, when Taps is played everyone stands to attention and salutes the flag at the front of the room – near the display.
Unfortunately, I was honored and saddened to attend three such ceremonies for fellow soldiers who had fallen in service to our country.
Not that I didn’t want to be there. Rather, I respected the sacrifice they’d made for our country. Just like them, I raised my hand. Willing to give my life if that’s what was expected of me.
American Soldier by Toby Keith.
Whether you’ve heard the song American Soldier before or not, I ask that you listen to it from my perspective. I spent 7 years on active duty. My wife and I have a daughter and a son. During one 3-year period, we spent 18 months apart. There were times when I had to borrow money, to buy food. And, at times I did serve on the “front lines.” Thankfully I didn’t have to shoot anyone or give my life for our country. But I was willing and able to do both.
Memorial Day is about remembering those who died in Germany, Poland, Vietnam, and Korea. It’s also about those who died in Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other foreign land where our country asked us to go.
Freedom Is Not Free!
Many lives have been lost to preserve our livelihood from individuals who threaten our constitution and way of life.
Even in times of peace, we still face a threat to our livelihood and constitutional republic. From individuals, countries, and organizations – both foreign and domestic.
We remember the fallen but must not forget the living.
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