Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a holiday intended to reflect upon the fallen soldiers, and honor them. However, Memorial Day as I saw it this past year was just a day that people only cared about the fact that they had off. Everyone I talked to was either going to a party, going to the shore, or just sleeping in with their day off. Going to a party doesn't sound too bad when it is a Memorial Day party meant to honor the holiday. Yet, how many of those parties take a moment away from their food and beer to honor the fallen heroes? I find myslef guilty of this pleasure as well. Except for the fact that I spent my Memorial day working to make extra money, I did attend a party on Sunday. At the party all I thought about was the food and friends around me, not the reason for the party. The only true act of patriotism that I witnessed this holiday came from my girlfriend's father, and I praise him for it. He is a member of the Air Force Reserves and he spent his day off down at his base in Maguire, NJ. Every year he goes down with a couple of his fellow troops and just hang around the base, talking and maybe working on some things. This year was extra special for them because their troop had just returned from Iraq, so that were extra happy to be home, and were thankful that they were all home. More patriotism should come from all US citizens on this holiday, not just the troops.