Memorial Day

So it’s Memorial Day and I picked a heck of a way to celebrate. Around the country folks are breaking out the grills, going to baseball games, and taking the first dip in the swimming pool. But for me, it’s a stomach bug. Instead of a cheeseburger or bratwurst, I’m trying to work up the courage to try some Jell-O. But I did find a way to remember. I’ve been watching war movies all day.

There were some really amazing epic war movies made in the 1960’s and 1970’s, including two that I watched today—Battle of the Bulge and The Longest Day. Films such as these, and Patton and Midway, served to wrap history around the glory and patriotism of American warfare. They were woven around decisive battles. And they demonstrated the heroes of Americans defending freedom. Sadly, after Vietnam, a majority of the war movies, albeit few in total, spent more time criticizing parties, policies and administrations. These films did much to erode the respect for soldiers bold enough to climb into a B-25 or charge a pillbox on Omaha beach. Thankfully, that trend took a major turn when Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers emerged in recent years.

Americans seem to always be looking for a hero—the next hero. Sports stars, musicians, and even a few politicians seem to be common fodder for the next American “hero”. Unfortunately, we as a country need a “Memorial Day” to remind us that true heroes fill the pages of the history books of American warfare. And, of course, new heroes are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan today.

So on this Memorial Day, I lift my glass of Sprite high—yeah, clear liquids for me for a while— to the soldiers of yesterday and today. Midway is coming on in a few minutes. With a cast like that, I’m sure I can muster the courage to pop open a strawberry Jell-O.