We are well in the middle of Patriot Season in the US. For those of you unfamiliar with this terminology, this season begins at the beginning of May and continues through early July. During this time, we celebrate Military Appreciation month (May), as well as Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the Fourth of July. Many stores have sections dominated by red white and blue items. Hats, earrings, bakery items, plates, utensils, cups, etc. are just some of the things with a US based theme.
Over the weekend, my wife talked to me about looking at a flower arrangement for our church from Memorial Day weekend. She was looking for a red, white, and blue setting. She admitted that she might be overthinking this because the current arrangement we had up at the altar was appropriate for the Easter season we are now in, but not for Memorial Day. I told her that if you were going to do this flowers setting correctly, you needed red poppies. Poppy flowers are a global symbol that recognizes soldiers who gave their lives in war time for their country. You will see poppy flower pins especially during Memorial/Remembrance Day observances. As a matter of fact, I have several poppy pins to wear in just such times.
My wife and I agreed to go to Michael’s to look for poppy flowers to place in a floral setting up at the altar. We got to Michael’s, and found the flower section. I was disappointed to see how very little poppies were available… But it was understandable considering how we as a nation don’t really wear poppy pins on Memorial Day weekend.
As I was looking around the store, I noticed the USA section. Just out of curiosity, I took a look at several of the items. I wanted to see where many of these patriotic items were made. Sadly, I discovered that nearly all of these patriotic items were made in China. The next day, I stopped by a Walmart and found that nearly all of the patriotic items at that store were also made in China. I understand why most of our USA themed gear is made in China, but I’m still saddened by it.
This got me thinking on a couple of levels…
First, since 9/11, many Americans have put flags up in front of their houses (and in the back of their houses) to symbolize their love of country. Now I put the flag up at our house, but I only do it during national days (like Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July, and Veterans Day). For many of the people that have the flag up daily, they never take it down. That can be a problem when storms or high winds come through the area. Last Friday was just such an occasion… And one of the flags did fall to the ground at a neighbor’s house. I noticed that the flag stayed on the ground for over 36 hours before the homeowner finally picked it up and put it back on the pole that it didn’t fallen off of. Of course, if an American flag falls to the ground, you are supposed to retire that flag and dispose of it in an honorable manner. That’s not what happened in this case.
Secondly, why is it that we buy or put up patriotic items (even those cheap ones that are made in China) to publicly show our patriotism… only to forget about it just as quickly as we put it up or use the items? Maybe that’s not the way things are, but the perception is that our patriotism is just for decorative/show purposes. It feels like at times that we go through the motions on Patriotic Days so that we don’t get called out for our “lack of patriotism“.
One of the ways that we tend to attempt to show patriotism is by posting memes on Memorial Day weekend to remind everyone to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country. I always felt like it came off cheap… Like many post the meme about honoring the troops, and then go off and do fun time after that… barbecues, going to the beach, family get togethers, etc. I’m always the kind of person that if you talk to talk, you better walk the walk.
A few years ago, I decided to put my money where my mouth was. My family and I went to Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend to pay our respects in person to those in particular who gave their lives in service for our country. It was a moving and incredible experience to be there. We even got to lay flowers at the tomb of the unknown soldier. It was a day that my family will never forget. Maybe one Memorial Day weekend in the future, we can visit other memorials in the DC area.
One such memorial is the Vietnam Memorial wall. It is one of the most powerful and moving monuments ever created in our national tapestry. It is like looking at the name of a loved one who lost their lives during that conflict and instantly seeing the image of who they were just before they died. They were in the prime of their lives… their strongest, their fastest, their most intelligent, etc. They’re perfectly described in the “Ode of Remembrance” by Sir Laurence Binyon:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Maybe the Vietnam Memorial wall isn’t something that you would want to visit if you go to Washington DC. But I can assure you, having visited that memorial twice, it is one of the most moving and impactful memorials in our nation. Every American citizen should visit that memorial at least once in their lifetime.
As we approach another Memorial Day weekend, I’d like to offer a little piece of advice. Before you go out posting memes of how we should honor those who have fallen, consider finding a way to honor those who gave their lives in service to our country. Don’t worry about what others are or aren’t doing. Make sure you are walking the walk.
(By the way, if you do decide to complain about your church not having patriotic flowers up on the altar this weekend, just make sure I’m not within earshot. I won’t be hard to find. I’ll be the one wearing the red poppy pin. *)
“Lest we forget.”
*- If you wanna look for a red poppy pin to wear for Memorial Day, and don’t want to go through the Amazon route, might I recommend the American Legion’s website.
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