Memorial Day means a lot to me as a Veteran.
It’s a day when we, as a country, are supposed to stop and honor and respect the men and women who sacrificed their lives defending this country. That’s what the day is about. Always has been.
And honestly, this might be unpopular, but I have to say it.
I’ve never liked hearing “Happy Memorial Day.”
What’s happy about it?
This day exists because people died. Young men and women who never made it home. Families that lost sons, daughters, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and friends.
So no, I don’t really see it as a “happy” holiday.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying people shouldn’t enjoy the weekend. Spend time with your family. Fire up the grill. Have a couple of drinks. By all means, BBQ. Honestly, that part feels pretty American to me.
But at least take a moment to recognize why you have that freedom in the first place. Pause for a minute of silence. Visit a local memorial if you can. Maybe just share a memory or a story about someone who served. Even a quiet thank you before you eat means something. It doesn't have to be big, but it matters.
That’s the part I think gets lost sometimes.
Many civilians just see Memorial Day as an extra day off work or the unofficial start of summer. And honestly, I get it. Life moves fast. People get distracted.
But this day is supposed to be about the people who stepped forward when everyone else stepped back.
You might disagree with wars. You might hate politics. Hell, most Veterans are tired of politics, too. But Memorial Day isn’t about politicians. It’s about the soldier. The Marine. The Sailor. The Airman. The ones who answered the call, knowing there was a chance they wouldn’t come home.
That deserves respect, whether you agree with the war or not.
For me personally, Memorial Day isn’t really something I “celebrate.” I BBQ because that’s how I recognize and pay tribute in my own way. BBQ brings people together-family, friends, Veterans, neighbors. People standing around talking, eating, sharing stories, reconnecting.
Honestly, BBQ feels more American than apple pie to me.
And I think that connection matters.
Because Memorial Day isn’t just about remembering the dead, it’s also about recognizing the people still carrying things home with them. Physical injuries. Mental ones too. Some wounds you can see. Some you can’t. If you want to do more than just remember, there are many ways to support Veterans and their families. You can donate to organizations that help with mental health or housing, volunteer at your local VA hospital, or even just reach out to a Veteran you know. Sometimes a simple check-in or offering to listen can make a difference.
Military service changes people. Sometimes permanently.
And even though I personally didn’t lose close friends in war, I still understand what this day represents. Sacrifice. Duty. Service. Brotherhood.
Things bigger than ourselves.
I also don’t really care if businesses run Memorial Day sales. That’s America, too. But at least recognize who the day is actually for. Don’t just throw an American flag on an ad and pretend you suddenly care about Veterans for 72 hours.
Mean it.
At the end of the day, I think the people we lost would probably want one thing from us more than anything else: to stop being so divided as a country.
That’s honestly one of the saddest things to see right now. Everybody’s angry at everybody. Nobody listens anymore. Nobody talks anymore unless it’s online, screaming at strangers.
But then you put people around a grill or smoker, and somehow all that shit quiets down for a little while.
People laugh. Talk shit. Eat too much. Tell stories.
Feels human again.
So this Memorial Day weekend, enjoy your time with family and friends. Seriously. Fire up the smoker. Make good food. Be together.
Just don’t forget the reason you’re able to do it in the first place.
Take a minute. Reflect. Show some respect.
Because that freedom cost somebody everything.
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