I posted this in another Forum, but not everyone has access there - so I thought I would post it here as well:
Yesterday was Memorial Day here in the US.
I was disappointed to learn that something I heard yesterday was correct - that according to a 2003 Gallup Poll, only 28% of Americans know the meaning of Memorial Day, and only 9% of High School Seniors. Most people think it is just a 'day off'.
Memorial Day here was originally conceived as a day to commemorate those who have died in our nation's service, and it still serves to do so - and though that purpose has largely been forgotten by many in the US, the original purpose remains. For many US veterans, Memorial Day has picked up other meanings in recent years, as well.
Some of you here on the Taldren boards know that I have been working weekends at Scarborough Faire, and so I was not expecting to be able to do anything for Memorial Day. It was our first year doing the full run of the Faire, and the first time we had been there on Memorial Day weekend. Every day of the Faire, there is a Parade - the "king" (an actor hired by the Faire), the Scots Guard, and all the vendors carrying banners make for an entertaining sight in the middle of the day.
On Sunday, I heard rumor that there was to be a second parade. All military veterans at the Faire were invited to participate. I decided that was something I would like to be involved with - so yesterday, I participated in my first Memorial Day Parade.
We gathered behind a gate out of view of the public, and I swapped stories with a few gentlemen that I had never met before, and yet felt like old friends.
At one o'clock, it was somewhat over 90 degrees (the weather report said it was supposed to have been 93, but I don't know what the temperature actually got to), and around 400 of us (at my best count) put on yellow sashes, formed up into columns and marched out. At the head of each column was a flag - one for each of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines - and leading those was a standard bearer with the American Flag, and a couple of drummers. I was surrounded by men (and a few women) of all ages that I felt more kinship with than I would have thought, given that they were almost all strangers. Some were armed and though many were not, I remember thinking that I'd sooner trust any of them with a weapon than someone outside that group - silly perhaps, but it was my thought at the time.
I don't think we'd have won any prizes for marching in formation, but every one of us was proud to be there - all the more so because of the reaction of the crowd on the parade route. There were a lot of cheers and clapping, and a great many people took the time to shake the hand of a vet in one of the outer columns and say "Thank You". It was a novel and humbling experience for me personally - and much more meaningful than that to some among us. I was very proud to be in such company - and a little embarrassed at the same time. I served between wars, comfortable and safe, and felt as though the cheers coming my way more properly belonged to the others around me than it did to me.
We ended our march at a private green, fell out, and had a moment of silence for those who could only be with us in spirit because they had never come back home.
By this time, I don't know that there was a dry eye among us. It was a far more emotional experience for me than I would have expected. Some few of the veterans spoke.
Fred, one of the few I know, is a Vietnam veteran whose position was shelled, and who was shot in the face to finish him off as he lay wounded. Only now - 33 years later - is he beginning to get reconstructive dental work from the VA (thanks to JMM - Jack Morris of these Forums). Fred spoke of the reception he and his fellow soldiers got when they got off the plane in the US coming back from Vietnam - having used baby diapers thrown at them, and having people urinate on them from balconies - and how different this was... how it finally felt like he was appreciated.
Another gentleman spoke briefly, his voice cracking. This was the first time he had been together with other veterans since 1971.
One other of our number spoke last, about how proud he was to be there. Technically, he shouldn't have been marching with us, but we were glad to have him. He introduced himself as Seaman Recruit Mike Davis (not his name, but I cannot recall it now). He'll be entering basic training in July.
We broke up then, and went our separate ways.
It occurred to me then, that Memorial Day has become not only about remembering those who fell in service to their country, but also about redressing a wrong done to a lot of good men who came back.
I kept the broad yellow ribbon I wore in the parade. There are memories associated with it that I'll want to keep fresh until next year.
Topic: A personal look at Memorial Day (Read 818 times)