ON MEMORIAL DAY: HOW AMERICANS REMEMBER THEIR FALLEN HEROES IN 2014

Decoration Day was first commemorated on May 30, 1868, to remember those who died in America's Civil War battles to preserve the Union. 

After a few more wars, and several thousand more dead Americans, the name was changed to Memorial Day in the early 20th Century. It was to be a day to remember all Americans who died serving their nation.

Not all of America, however, commemorated this new holiday. When I lived in the Deep South in the late 1960's, because of it's Union origin, this day was not celebrated by our Southern kin.

In 1971 Memorial Day finally became a National Holiday to be celebrated throughout all of the United States. It is a day now that commemorates the loss of more than 1,000,000 American men and women in battles near and far.

The soldiers and sailors we remember this day fought and died for both righteous and moral causes, as well as political and economic vanity. But, die they did.

So, how do we commemorate such a mournful day in the year 2014, a year when we still have troops in harm's way in Afghanistan and elsewhere? 

For some Americans, it seems they commemorate by uttering the trivial phrase, "Thank you for your service." For me, this is a sentence that needs completion. Could that completed sentence be, "because I feel guilty you served and I did not?" Seems fitting to me.

But, also in America, a land filled with unhindered capitalism and a people who can turn any serious event into nonsense, businesses place advertising to honor the day. Here are some of those ads from one newspaper published today.*

Drive to Clearwater, Florida, for the Walker is Ford "Memorial Day All-Star Event" with a $750 Military Bonus Cash offer for those who served. Evidently there is no $750 Military Bonus Cash for the surviving parents and loved ones of those who actually died in war, the very people we are supposed to be remembering this day. I think a free Ford is the least the company could do today for these survivors.

Not to be outdone, for all who lived through one or more of America's wars and speak Spanish, Tom Castriota, from Hudson, Florida, says, "Castriota saluda a nuestros militares." A photograph of Mr. Castriota is prominent in the ad, along with a claim that he is retired from the U.S. Marine Corps.  If you lived to see this Memorial Day, you can purchase a Chevrolet Malibu LS for only $99 per month. Again, no one memorialized whatsoever and no deals for any dead veterans' families.

A "Memorial Day Triple Zero Sales Event" is being held at Sun Toyota of New Port Richey where you can get $0 down payment, $0 payments for 90 days, and 0% factory financing on your new Toyota. Ferman Nissan is "Remembering our Memorial Days Past & Present..." Ford of Port Richey has a "Memorial Mega Sale" going on for 5 days with $5 down and a 5-day guarantee.

Whatever these three car dealers are trying to peddle, you evidently do not have to even be a veteran to participate. It is just their patriotic way of saying, "None of us need serve."

The list goes on. Kane's Furniture offers two pages of "Memorial Day Sale" with up to 50% off or 50 months no interest. LaZboy offers a "Memorial Day Sale" and 25% off on purchases of $3,000 or more. All Dillard's department stores are having a "Memorial Day Weekend Clearance" sale of 65% off. Consignment Furniture Stores, both locations, are having a "Huge Memorial Day Sale" on pre-owned furniture. And, again, you need not have served to participate in these bargains.

If you are an American, read your newspaper and watch your television advertising today. Think about what this day is about and see if the two relate.

If what you see and hear resembles those ads I noted above, write to your newspaper and tell them you are outraged. Boycott vendors who trivialize those lives sacrificed on the altar of freedom.

Remember to thank a veteran; then, tell them why you did not serve. It is okay.

Veterans feel guilty also...we survived while our friends and comrades did not.

*Tampa Bay Times, Monday, May 26, 2014