Memorial Day 2020

This Memorial Day will remain unique above all others. Most noticeable is the fact that the formal observances of this somber day to honor the memory of the veterans who died defending our very way of life have, for the most part, been canceled due to the Covid-19 virus. This virus has significantly changed our daily lives today and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Despite that, it has not endangered the American way of life that our fallen veterans protected. 

While we may not be able to join throngs of people in parades or observances at cemeteries, I ask you to ponder over the current situation. The veterans who died in the service to this nation faced many unseen threats. They never knew where the next bullet or artillery shell would land. They also, in many cases, never knew if the person approaching them on the street was a friend or foe. They lived with the threat that at any moment, their lives could be lost, and they would never be able to enjoy the fruits of their sacrifices. As we endure this current health threat, I ask you to pay homage to those veterans who both suffered and succumbed to even greater threats on your behalf.

Another correlation worth keeping in mind is that preparedness, discipline, and the determination to endure on the part of our nation and individual service members couldn’t save every life, although it saved many. The generations of young men and women who returned home from our conflicts abroad are testaments to that. Today, we face a conflict that demands our full attention and changes in our daily lives. The lives that we enjoy today exist solely because others previously made sacrifices on our behalf. On Memorial Day, we should respectfully honor those we’ve lost and ensure that their struggles and lessons have not fallen on deaf ears. 

We are no longer in the post-World War II years when every family had members who had served and sacrificed. The majority of Americans have never donned a military uniform to serve their country. With today’s health emergency, they are now in a better position to respect the sacrifices of those who died wearing one. This day is traditionally dedicated to those in the military services who died serving our nation. This year I ask we extend that honor to all those from the health and service professions who have succumbed to Covid-19 while in their service
to us.