Nov 11 2008
Happy Mattress Sale Day
I got an e-mail from a buddy of mine this morning who served with 2nd ANGLICO in Vietnam who lamented that while he and I were both working in our respective offices today, professors at Berkeley were enjoying their day off.
I guess that’s the way it goes.
For many today isn’t a commemoration of the armistice that brought an end to the first of two of the 20th Century’s worldwide cataclysms. No for many Americans, today is just a day off. It’s a paid holiday to spend raking leaves or relaxing in the warm comfort of hearth and home. It’s a mattress sale, a car sale, a 20-percent off at your favorite retailer. It’s a political photo op at the American Legion.
Here’s the true meaning of today.
Today is a day of remembrance for the doughboys who huddled in muddy trenches in France with dirty faces, muddy boots and impeccably clean Springfield ‘03 rifles waiting for the next German advance.
Today is a day to remember the sailors who hefted powder bags from the magazines and into the breeches as they fervently prepared for another broadside across Ironbottom Sound.
Today is a day to remember the airmen who braved flak, fighters and the bitter cold five miles up over occupied Europe.
Today is time to recall the Marines that dug ever deeper into the red clay on Hills 881 North and South as ordinance fell down like steel rain around them.
Today is about honoring the servicemen for helping preserve our union, to protect retailers’ rights to have their discount sales, to protect the politicians who legislate whether or not our veterans get decent health care benefits, and to make sure that those who protest against the military will continue to enjoy that freedom which is offered up the Bill of Rights but defended by the very people they detest.
To everyone who has served, in war and peace, thank you for your service. I for one am grateful for the millions of you who have stood watch while the rest of America peacefully slumbered.
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Which is why a relative got a snarky comment in reply to her facebook status of “[name] is so excited about having a day off tomorrow” (she’s a school teacher).
Especially since she should know better due to the family business.