Monday, May 26, 2014

Memorial Day 2014 Watchers and Doers

As I watched Good Morning America this morning, I had a chilling thought.

They were celebrating Memorial Day by featuring "Selfies", potato salad recipes, and a concert by Blondie. There was a "Rap" from someone I don't know about the chance to "get down" on this holiday.

My thoughts follow:

Our Modern, "Pop Culture" society seems to celebrate that which is fleeting rather than that which is solid bedrock. We are constantly seeking entertainment rather than trying to create somethng on our own. We are becoming a society of watchers rather than a nation on doers.

Memorial Day should be a solemn day where we remember those who died for our freedom.

It is also a time to celebrate the freedom that we all enjoy because of the sacrifice of those who fought when called into service.

It is a day to contemplate on the the role of the United States as World Leader.

When the war in Afghanistan is over, we will end a 15 year period of deployment for our troops.

If we listen to the din of our modern life, it is hard to imagine where we will be in 50 years. A generation will exist that was born after Korea,Vietnam, Kuwait, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. They might read about those events in a history book -- if the schools have the money to buy books. Or perhaps they will watch a video.

I hope our President in 2056 does not start his inaugural address by saying, "Hey, what's happening?"

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