Memorial Day 2020

When I woke up this Sunday morning on Memorial Day weekend, I did what I usually do, pick up my phone off the nightstand and review the notifications.

The weather in Fort Wayne was going to be perfect and also in my notifications was an alert that the New York Times decided to use today and hijack Memorial Day away from the original meaning behind the Federal holiday.

The Times decided to memorialize 1000 of the people in the United States who have died this year directly due to or as a result of complications of the COVID-19 Coronavirus that has disrupted lives around the world.  While I have no issue with the newspaper doing this, and it helps to bring this pandemic to life, so to speak, the timing of it being on their front page today I consider disrespectful of the reason we have a three day weekend.

Memorial Day is a misunderstood holiday having something to do with memories or first responders or vets or something, right?

Memorial Day goes back to the 1800’s as a way to remember the lives lost during our countries civil war.  Later, when it became formalized as a national holiday, Memorial Day became a day to remember our military members who lost their lives in battle or war time.  It’s not for the Veterans who are still with us, that is what Veterans Day in November is set aside for.

A tiny fraction of our population is currently serving in the armed forces these days compared to decades past.  In my own research I have only found two significant military deaths that directly impacted family or friends.  My friend Ron, who is 18 years older than me, the eldest of 8 siblings I think, lost one of his brothers in the Vietnam War.  I’m sure that impacted his outlook and the family dynamics.

The other person is the dad of a cousin I have never met.  Billy Hooper is the first son of my Aunt Jean Howard.  Billy’s Dad was also named William Hooper and I found his picture online.

Captain Hooper died in battle July 5, 1945 in France. My Dad’s oldest brother, Dean Howard married his widow and together they had 3 children, cousins of mine.  If it wasn’t for the death of William Hooper in battle in World War 2, that part of my family tree would not exist. (I also found it ironic that William Hooper’s middle name was Howard, the last name his wife would take when she remarried.)

One more reflection on Memorial Day from my teen years growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  I was in Scouting and our scout Troop 12 marched every year in the Memorial Day parade. The parade route would end at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum where they have a few artifacts and mementos.  The parade has been moved to July 4th this year but today I made a special trip to snap a few pictures.

May you have a memorable weekend.