For kids, it may be hard to grasp the gravity of Memorial Day. We tend to associate this holiday with a day off of school, barbecues, and picnics in the park. We pull out our bathing suits and get ready for the start of the summer. As we prepare for fun in the sun, we might easily overlook the war overseas. With this ugly reality so far from home, many of us have felt little impact. Yet, as American troops pull out of Iraq and many others head to Afghanistan, we need to stop and think about what we really should be honoring on May 28.
Memorial Day is about remembering our fallen heroes. It began as Decoration Day, a day to remember those who died during the Civil War. The holiday now commemorates all of America’s brave men and women who have made sacrifices to protect our country and our values. I appreciate everything these men and women have done, but I’ve always felt disconnected on this holiday.
When I was younger, my parents explained the idea behind Memorial Day, but I never really paid attention. They took me to the little parade in our neighborhood. I don’t remember much except sitting on the sidewalk and munching on popcorn as the red, white, and blue floats passed by. I’m sure I was as interested in my snack as I was in the actual parade. We would also visit Washington D.C. and pay our respects at the memorials, but I was more enthralled by the museums. For me, Memorial Day was not on the same scale as Fourth of July, so I thought of it as a minor holiday.
This year my feelings have changed. Memorial Day finally means more to me thanks to my American history class and my amazing teacher. He is a strong believer in encouraging students to form their own opinions about our past. Not only does he teach us about history but he always shows us how our past relates to the present.
This year, as I studied our history, I began to see a connection between America’s earlier wars and our current situation in Afghanistan. For instance, when we learned about the first national draft instituted during the Civil War, Americans at the time were outraged by the compulsory conscription. We’ve recently discussed a similar resistance during the Vietnam War draft. It really made me think about how fortunate Americans are today. Due to courageous volunteers, most will never have to experience the hardships of the combat zone.
The real turning point for me, however, was back in March when we studied World War II. We discussed, many times, how the war caused so many casualties. I read about D-Day and the bloodshed in the midst of America trying to infiltrate France. The next day in class, my teacher showed us a dramatization of the invasion of Normandy from the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” He also told us about his experience watching it with World War II veterans. The vets were shocked and shaking uncontrollably as they observed their worst nightmares relived on the screen. I suddenly felt a pang of guilt and a newfound sense of respect for our military and I promised myself that I would truly commemorate these fallen heroes this Memorial Day.
American history is the story of our freedom and our determination to preserve our liberty. We are proud of our values. Our service members are always ready and willing to protect us and secure our freedom. Our country is not perfect but what has reverberated throughout history is that America’s finest are always ready to fix our mistakes. These men and women bear the burden of bombshells and fire. Despite all of our different origins, our military unifies us by safeguarding the rights that are guaranteed to all.
So this Memorial Day, take some time to reflect on how this country has been shaped by our soldiers. Remember those who died so that we can live in a safe country. Don’t forget to thank those who serve our cause and let them know of our appreciation. And for those who have passed, make sure to hang our colors — proud and strong — in their honor.
Aglaia Ho is a 16-year-old student from Queens who enjoys writing. Her work has been published in Creative Kids, Skipping Stones, Daily News/Children’s Pressline, and The State of the Wild.
