Lest we Forget

In my company’s weekly newsletter I noticed the line saying, “Monday marks Memorial Day 2022 when we honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Never forget.” I can really appreciate that. It’s respectful and to the point, and it doesn’t in any way give me the idea that it’s about me, anyone who has served in the military, or anyone who’s serving today. Memorial Day is a day to honor those who gave their lives to defend the country.

I contrast that with Osan Air Base’s official Facebook page. Having advertised their “Memorial Day BASH,” with food trucks, drinks, music, and games a few days earlier, they follow up with a post on the day itself that starts, “Happy Memorial Day!” and ends with “So here’s to our fellow brothers and sisters who served before us and are currently serving, we thank you.” Now, to be fair, they did mention that their bash, with its “family activities, music, and some good food,” was to “pay respect to those who dedicated their lives to defending and preserving our nation’s safety and democracy,” but if you think about it, even that falls short. I served 27 years in the Air Force, a time where I did indeed dedicate my life to defending and preserving the nation’s safety and democracy.  But I didn’t die for my country.

I think I’ve already established my credentials as a grumpy old man. But I see things like this and it just has me wondering how we’ve so desperately lost touch with our purpose. I know a lot of organizations that, in addition to the Memorial Day weekend that many Americans enjoyed, took off the Friday prior (another military perk), but also half of the Thursday before that (and some weren’t too crazy about working the Tuesday after the long weekend, either). It leaves one wondering at the importance of the work they do, and if the work is that important (which I think it is), then why are leaders willing to leave so much of the workplace vacant for so many days at a time. Is it a case of them not knowing what they don’t know?  Do they need someone on the outside to tell them how this looks?

I get it – they’re on call 24/7. Willing to go where they’re told and make the big sacrifices if necessary. Some have done just that (and thus, Memorial Day). But does anyone even count the cost of service in the military anymore? It’s hard to do when so many of our current “combat” kills are done by people who aren’t even on the same continent as their targets. (By the way, I recommend the NY Times The Daily podcast piece on the mental strain suffered by drone pilots). And so we’re wished a “Happy” Memorial Day, where military units hold a “Bash” with food and games and family fun, and where it looks far too much like they’re celebrating themselves. I’m sure they tossed in a moment of silence, but to be fair, what can you expect when you’re getting four and a half days off? You can’t spend the whole time thinking of brave men and women dying for your freedom.

I don’t mean to say that no one gets it these days. A lot of people do. They know that the fun and games wouldn’t be possible without the sacrifice of those who have gone before. I like George Patton’s perspective in his quote, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” But here’s what I’m left wondering: are such men (and women) alive today? Will they have the mettle of the “greatest generation” – over 400, 000 of whom died in World War 2 – if called upon? Or are they forgetting something important about serving your country — that it just might mean dying for it yourself?