Memorial Day is not about veterans who are living, the day for that is Veteran's Day.
Memorial Day is about remembering and honoring military personnel who died while serving the United States during time of war.
Many civilians gather on Memorial Day to honor those who died in military service. Some put out flags at cemeteries. Some attend Memorial Day events. Many also fly U.S. flags at home to show their respect.
For veterans there is an additional duty on Memorial Day: To remember the fallen in a way that civilians cannot do.
That is because it is in the memories of veterans that the fallen are known. Veterans who served with a fallen comrade know their MOS, whether they were good at PT, their favorite jokes and hobbies, their dreams, their favorite music, whether they were married and had children, and whether they planned to serve a full military career or just one term.
Veterans will also remember the look in the eyes of a dying brother or sister whose young life was bleeding away.
The fallen never got to be a veteran. They went from serving to dead.
Remembering a fallen friend may not be easy to do. But it must be done at least once a year. It is a debt owed by veterans to fallen friends.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views.
