We all have some day that we consider part of our identity, that pretty much nothing can change. Or at least it feels that way when you look at the dayfrom one perspective of another. It might be a religious holiday, or day of the week. Many people will not work on Sunday, or Saturday, some even on Friday, because of their faith. Christmas or Easter may in part be days you consider sacred if you are Christian. And there are other days that fall into this group as well, Ash Wednesday, Assention day, etc.
Or you may celebrate days surounding the phases of the moon, or the position of the sun in it’s travels north and south. At some level you share these holidays with friends and family, or others. At another level they help you to picture who you are and where you exist in this reality.
And for some national holidays were we recall our Declaration of Independence, or where we give thanks for the harvest and bringing us through another year. It may even be recognizing or adopting national symbols, or presidents, or well, you get the picture.
For me, today is perhaps the most sacred of days. For today is not about what ‘god’ wants, or how the spirit is affected by the stars, or the moon. It’s not about the creation or support of our govornment. It’s about those people who fought for our freedoms.
I don’t know what many of them would think of us today. I’m pretty sure that some would be disapointed in where we have ended up. But I won’t get into that today. There are some who would look at what we’ve given up, and perhaps turn their backs on us for abandoning our freedoms. There are others who would look at what we’ve done and ask why we haven’t taken this or that battle to our enemies. But I won’t get into that.
Whether they would agree with where we are, I have a personal belief that they need to be remembered for doing what they could, and for sacrificing months and years of their lives in support of their beliefs, their family, and their country.
Whether you watch the president place a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier, or visit the grave of a family member who fought, or have something else planned, is up to you.
For me today involves going to a local memorial cemetary, and spending some time remembering what these people have done.
