By Carol Lucas
Memorial Day has come and gone, leaving behind some issues that I feel should be addressed. The day, itself, should hold significance for everyone who is grateful to live in this country, and especially for Beaufort, decidedly a military town.
Some simply consider this day to be the “unofficial” beginning of summer. Yes, it means warmer weather for most, unless you are experiencing the effects of climate change that include tornadoes, high winds and unusually colder-than-usual temps.
And yes, it is a federal holiday, so most people have the last Monday of May off to barbecue and “celebrate.”
But what is this day really about, and how should it be reckoned with? Doing away with the frivolous, it is a day meant to honor those brave souls who fought and died for their country.
Memorial Day was celebrated as early as the 1860s following the Civil War, but it officially became a national holiday in 1971. And while we may call it a “celebration,” as we do for many holidays, it is meant to be a more somber day to honor those who have passed.
It is author Tamra Bolton who explains. “Memorial Day is the day we pay homage to those who didn’t come home. It is a day of solemn contemplation over the cost of freedom.”
In other words, it is a day to reflect on the many service members who ultimately lost their lives fighting on behalf of this country.
It doesn’t matter when, where, or which military conflict was involved, either. Memorial Day recognizes any fallen soldiers who were fighting for all the military branches.
Just remember this is a day about respect. Which leads me to focus upon the way in which the current president chose to show his.
Let’s begin with his appearance at West Point on May 24, wearing the trademark red hat to deliver a graduation speech. Appropriate? Not really, but I digress. It is what he said in his speech and how he exited that venue, however, that was nothing but shameful.
Topics that he addressed were his administration’s isolationist stance and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, something his administration managed to accomplish earlier.
“We’ve liberated our troops from divisive and demeaning political training(s),” Trump said. “There will be no more critical race theory or transgender for everybody forced onto our brave men and women in uniform — or on anybody else for that matter, in this country.”
He went on to elaborate, “The job of the U.S. armed forces is not to host drag shows, to transform foreign cultures. And lest those cadets should forget, he added, “I went through a very tough time with some very radicalized sick people. I say I was investigated more than the great, late Alphonse Capone.”
Can we pause for a moment and hold a pity party for me? You must remember, it is always about me!
And the exit? He left without shaking one hand or proffering a single salute, saying he had to leave because he had to deal with China and Russia. I guess his golf group consisted of those foreign visitors because that’s where he ended up after his abrupt departure.
Two days later, he paid his tribute to fallen U.S. service members, but even then, he had to dig at his predecessor.
“We certainly know what we owe to them,” the president said during his address, speaking of the fallen. “Their valor gave us the freest, greatest, and most noble republic ever to exist on the face of the earth, a republic that I am fixing after a long and hard four years.”
“Who would let that happen?” Trump continued. “People pouring through our borders unchecked. People doing things that are indescribable and not for today to discuss. But the republic is now doing so very well.”
As Trump spoke about the “immense and ultimate sacrifices” of American soldiers over the past 250 years, he brought up the fact that the U.S. Army was planning to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its founding with a parade on June 14th. That event also happens to fall on Trump’s 79th birthday.
“We’re going to have a big, big celebration,” said Trump. “I’m glad I missed that second term … because I wouldn’t be your president for that.” I guess he has reconsidered his assertion that the 2020 election was stolen. How do we even begin to keep a straight face?
“Now look what I have,” he said. “I have everything. Amazing the way things work out. God did that.” (USA Today)
After the ceremony ended, Trump quickly departed to play yet another round of golf.
Carol Lucas is a retired high school teacher and a Lady’s Island resident. She is the author of the recently published “A Breath Away: One Woman’s Journey Through Widowhood.”
