Every day a good opportunity to say 'thanks'

By Richard Eckstrom
Comptroller General

Two important holidays recently passed. One probably passed relatively quietly, while the other was marked by barbecues, parades, speeches, flag-waving and remembrance.

May 16 was the 60th celebration of Armed Forces Day. The holiday was created in 1959 as a salute to the men and women who serve in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. (Each branch had previously held separate celebrations, and Armed Forces Day consolidated those observances.)

And, of course, Monday, May 25 was Memorial Day – a day of tribute to those who have gone to eternal rest in defense of their nation.

For many, Memorial Day is a solemn occasion, a time for prayer, for tears, for showing gratitude to those who served. It is a time to reflect on who we are as a nation and how we got here.

For others, Memorial Day is a more festive occasion, a time for cookouts, family gatherings or just an extra day of rest – a reminder of the many freedoms we enjoy and of the fact that we owe those freedoms to the brave men and women who have defended us.

For my part, I was fortunate to be able to pay tribute in a unique way: I was invited to travel with World War II veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. (The Honor Flight program, for which I volunteer, flies veterans free of charge to our Nation’s Capitol as a way of saying “thank you” for their service.)

Memorial Day was originally “Decoration Day.” The holiday was held May 30 each year to honor the Civil War dead. After World War I, it was expanded as a tribute to all veterans who no longer walk among us. The name was officially changed to Memorial Day in 1967, and in 1968 Congress moved the observance to the third Monday in May.

Since the events of 9-11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Memorial Day has taken on added meaning, particularly among the younger generation. Indeed, there’s a new generation of veterans who have served with the fallen, a new generation of families left behind.

On Memorial Day, a grateful nation said “thank you” to those who sacrificed their lives. But it need not be a holiday for us to recognize the price of the freedom we enjoy and honor those who paid the ultimate price to provide us that freedom.

We’d do well to honor the true meaning of Memorial Day all year round. And If you know a veteran or an active member of the Armed Forces – as I’m certain you must – reach out to let them know you appreciate their service.