Memorial Day: first, a show of respect

There’s Memorial Day and then there is Memorial Day.

One marks the unofficial beginning of summer, mostly because the Uniform Holiday Act of 1968 led to the creation of the federally declared three-day holiday weekend in 1971.

The other Memorial Day, which since 1868 had been celebrated on May 30 before the act shifted it to the last Monday in May, is when we’re supposed to commemorate the sacrifice of members of the military who  gave everything in service to their country.

Notable in the sentence above is the passage, “when we’re supposed to …” because although it does introduce the reason for the observance, it also implies that this solemn purpose is often forgotten amidst all the pre-summer celebrations.

That’s a shame, because this willingness of millions of men and women to serve in the armed forces, and put it all on the line if need be, is what allows us to enjoy the holiday however we choose.

This commitment by so many men and women to defend our way of life is the ultimate deterrent against those who would wish us harm, as its unspoken message is that some of us will go and not return, but none of us will go quietly no matter what.

That is the essence of the real Memorial Day, which will be celebrated Monday with remembrances, honors and respect in Berlin with its Old-Fashioned Memorial Day Parade, in Ocean Pines at the Worcester County Veterans War Memorial, and in Ocean City at American Legion Synepuxent Post 166.

These salutes to the casualties of war and conflict have little to do with Memorial Day, the season opener, beside occupying the same square on the calendar. That is, of course, unless we give it a few minutes of respectful appreciation  as we fire up the grills, ice down the drinks and cheer the arrival of summer.