| A quote attributed to General George S Patton is simple, yet I believe so true, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”
This weekend will allow my wife Beth and I to do a few things. We will go to a picnic. We will hopefully spend an afternoon on the lake. We will likely do some yard work. We also have two separate Memorial Day activities to attend. One will be at the East Tennessee Veterans Memorial (ETVMA) who will proudly host The Reading of the Names from dawn on Monday until 1045am at World’s Fair Park. Learn more about ETVMA https://www.etvma.org/.
The editorials and political cartoons about what we should do on Memorial Day weekend are correct and incorrect. They will tell us that it is not for barbeques, boating, yard work, etc. I’m afraid I have to disagree with that. Do not let those messages shame you into anything other than enjoying the weekend.
But do take time to reflect. Teach your children and grandchildren. Celebrate those who have given themselves for our freedoms. This is not just a personal duty, but a shared responsibility. Take a minute to say thanks. Appreciate what Memorial Day is all about.
The Marines that I served with and know that have gone on before or who have lost something physically or emotionally in combat would want you to take a deep breath and relish our country. The grandeur and the beauty of it. The resilience and the freedoms of it. Stop and honor those sacrifices that have given us this most excellent gift of democracy, and enjoy your weekend.
Wm. Tim Eichhorn is a Partner and Senior Advisor with Rather & Kittrell. |