Here you see part of the last journey of Lt. Col. Donald Green, USMC, Ret., in Arlington National Cemetery. That was almost 10 years ago, but it remains vivid for me. Don was a friend and colleague whom I think about often, especially on Memorial Day.
Technically, today is the day to honor those who died while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States. For many of us, however, it’s also another opportunity to honor those who are now serving or have so served, even though Veterans Day in November is set aside to do that.
It seems to be an old-fashioned thing, this honoring of someone who died while performing what used to be considered a service to our country. Such service was once considered a moral obligation – a “duty” – for men. It’s not required anymore, and that’s probably a good thing.
But, I sometimes worry about the consequences of diluting or abandoning some traditional senses of obligation – to country; to spouses or other personal partners; to children; to those in need; to political constituents; to abiding by the Constitution; to simply telling the truth…. My fear is that, if and when any of these once-recognized senses of obligation is fully discarded, its void will be filled with cynicism, selfishness, and/or autocracy. History tells us that can be the beginning of the end of a society.
Nonetheless, I feel no embarrassment in being old-fashioned and giving our military a snapping salute today. (Full disclosure: I’m a veteran who mostly enjoyed my service and benefitted greatly from its lessons on teamwork and diversity.)