Here in America, we recently celebrated Memorial Day.  It is a day intended for reflection and for gratitude to and for those men and women who courageously sacrificed their lives for our freedoms during their service in the armed forces.

This holiday has also come to mark the unofficial start of the summer season with sales, barbecues, and beach trips over the course of a 3-day weekend.  Unfortunately, this more commercialized, materialistic view of the day can all too easily eclipse its true meaning.

Now, of course, there is nothing wrong with fun barbecues and beach trips with family and friends.  However, we cannot allow our own pleasure and gratification to supersede the remembrance of the selfless bravery of those whose sacrifice allows us to live in a free country where we can buy that mattress for 75% off or open up our beach house for the summer.

Sadly, in mainstream culture, many of the most sacred holidays, e.g. Christmas, have become too commercialized, too focused on the material.  We all need to take time out and consider these special days’ original purposes.

The origins of Memorial Day may not be well-known. According to the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and its initial intended purpose was memorializing the slain soldiers of the American Civil War.

On Memorial Day, there are various ways one can honor the lives lost in combat: attending a prayer service or concert commemorating the day, visiting a military cemetery, or simply taking the time to say a private prayer for those who have fought and died throughout the decades for our country.

As young people, we would do well to remember that many of the members of the current military are our peers, our friends, siblings, classmates.  They are voluntarily going to fight, knowing they could die.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity.” (2239)

The least we can do to show our patriotism, gratitude, and love of country is to be conscientiously grateful for the sacrifices of our military and offer a prayer on their behalf not only on Memorial Day but always.

American flag