The Public Broadcasting Station, KQED, aired a most beautiful concert in Washington DC to commemorate Memorial Day today. Memorial Day used to be called "Declaration Day." Then in 1967, President Lyndon Johnson officially made the celebration yearly in honor of the men and women in the United States Armed Forces who lost their lives in the defense of freedom. Yes, freedom of speech and press, freedom from want, freedom from fear and freedom of worship.
Since then, it has been observed as a public holiday so as to ensure that the young as well as the more mature segments of our society are made more aware of the cost of the freedom they enjoy now. It was meant to instill in every citizen's heart the love for country and for which it stands. It was aimed to keep their patriotism burning against all the odds the nation is inevitably subject to in the course of its history.
I watched the Memorial Day program replete with songs as, " The National Anthem", "America, The Beautiful", "God Bless America" and the display of the colors by the uniformed Guards of Honor. My love, pride and gratitude for this country that has provided safe haven for me and my family found release in the tears that could not be contained. I reached for more Kleenex tissues when combat clips and the appurtenances thereof boldly flashed in the TV screen with the information re the unfolding scenario. Who could not identify with the women who had become widows at age 20? Whose heart would not bleed for the infants and toddlers who had become orphans never to experience playtime with Dad? Who won't pray for peace in this fair land of ours, nay, for peace in this world which at this instance is in the brink of a global catastrophe the likes of which is unheard of? My mind was reeling with many questions beyond understanding or solutions. I sighed my acceptance of helplessness and defeat.... for now.
The Memorial Day rites struck a chord in my heart. It was a refrain that reminded me of the two things that affect everyone in America - taxes and death! When the Ash Wednesday pronouncements of "from dust thou art, to dust returnst," come to fruition, our life slip into the dark pit of mortality. With the blink of an eye, all pain, all sorrow, all frustrations and distress as well as all joy, hopes and dreams fade into the misty unknown. Gone are the "I could have" moments...of saying, "I love you" to those who mean so much to us which we had postponed time and again; of reconciling with those who have hurt us or with those we found difficult to love; of giving of ourselves- our time, talent and treasure to others and of leaving a legacy of faith and honor to a Supreme Being , the Source of all life to those who will follow our footprints in the sands of time.
When a man or woman enters the threshold of "Seniority" and gains the coveted(?) title of Senior Citizen, a number of benefits come into focus. There is the enviable discount given by restaurants, amusement parks and public utilities. There is the reserved seats on public transportation. Though infrequently visible nowadays, there is still some courtesy extended to the 60 and over crowd. While the enthusiasm for life may not have diminished, some physical breakdown in the human mechanism gradually makes its presence felt. Quite often, the elderly remembers and claim Isaiah 31:3-4, " Strengthen the hands that are feeble. Make firm the knees that are weak. Say to those who are frightened: Be strong. Fear not. Here is your God! He comes with vindication, with divine recompense. He comes to save you."
Memorial Day thoughts come to titillate the minds of senior citizens more often than the once-a-year- May attention it gets. It reminds them that we are only transients in this world and that our true home, for eternity, is with our Creator in heaven. It asks the question, " Have I prepared myself for heaven? Have I done my best to deserve it?
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