Today is Memorial Day here in the USA. It always seems to me that this holiday is often seen as “an old folks” holiday; a day that doesn’t mean all that much to people under 40. Those who know something about the day often get it confused with Veteran’s Day, which seems to get even more lost with each passing year (when was the last time you remember getting off work for Veteran’s Day, or even hearing of a special party for that day?).
Yet Memorial Day should be of high importance for us. No, there aren’t the cards of Valentines or the fireworks of the 4th or the turkey of Thanksgiving, but this is an important day. The point is stop and to remember, to be thankful for, those who died in military service to the country. The first official day like this started after the Civil War when many cities, in the north and the south, took time to remember those fallen in the horrific conflict between the States. General John Logan proclaimed May 30, 1868 a day of “decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.” The term “Memorial Day” did not really become the popular term till after World War II. Finally, in 1968, President Lyndon Johnson urged the Congress to put Memorial Day officially on the national calendar, established as the last Monday in May. When that happened, President Johnson proclaimed Waterloo, NY as the birthplace of the day, probably because General Logan had a dear friendship with another General, John Murray from Waterloo; it is really impossible to determine which city did this first and many cities, north and south, make the claim as first. Some historians actually put the honor on freed slaves who honored the Union Dead in ceremonies as early as 1865. And of course, friends, families and cities probably memorialized their dead from our earlier wars of the 19th century or even the Revolutionary War.
What does this mean to you and me? How is this related to life success? Here are a couple of thoughts for you. The most obvious is that you have won the genetic lottery and were born in (or fortunate enough to move to) the greatest country on the planet currently—the United States of America. Here, regardless of what you or others may deem our deficiencies, you actually have the right and the chance to pursue whatever dream you may have. And, based on our heritage and bloodline, you have a great possibility of achieving that dream, or some version of it. And, should you ultimately fall short of the height of your dream, you know you will still live free, able to have security, health, life and love (and you can still get back up and try, try again). That is reason enough to stop and have a moment of silent reflection or prayer in honor of the fallen who gave their lives for us.
The other reason why this relates to you is that we can learn from their lives. Everything of value takes sacrifice. For these men and women who, for over 200 years (really over 400 years once you go back to Jamestown) have made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of their goals, there was no price to high for the chance of success.
What about you? Are you going 110% in pursuit of you dreams, determined that you will lay EVERYTHING on the line? Or, do you only go part-way and then look around wondering “when’s my chance?” Do you sit and bitterly complain because “no one hooked me up?” What great sacrifice are you making?
As I wrote in my book, Success for Life, no one owes you anything, so stop living your life waiting on some future magical happening. Instead, start living life boldly in pursuit of your dreams.
Over 200 years as a country, men and women have made the ultimate sacrifice so that they and their descendants could have the chance to live in freedom, able to pursue life to the fullest extent. These brave Americans did not know you, yet they died for us. They served their country to help you and I be able to accomplish our dreams.
That should be enough impetus to get us going today. So, think of one thing you can do to take your life dreams one step forward. Maybe it’s finishing a school project so that you pass that class well, taking that step towards the degree. Maybe it’s making a phone call to someone important in your journey. Maybe it’s shaping that resume to pursue the next job.
Whatever it is, do it with passion and determination. Others have given their “full measure of devotion” so you and I have the chance.
And that is why we stop in memorial for the fallen.