I've always been a fan of "America" holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day, and sure, even Labor Day. As a kid, Memorial Day was the sign that Summer Vacation was just around the corner. And summer was what made it possible for a kid to endure through 9 months of school. Independence Day--or 4th of July--was the pinnacle of summer, especially in Bakersfield, CA, where I was born and raised. The chances were good that it would be one of the hottest days of the year, probably upwards of 110 degrees. If our family stayed in Bakersfield we spent many of those holidays in the pool awaiting fireworks.
And if we weren't home in Bakersfield we would go to my Grandparents' house in Cayucos on the beach, watching fireworks to the south at Morro Rock and to the north at the Cayucos Pier. Did I mention I love fireworks?
And then there's Labor Day. I guess it's supposedly celebrating the labor workers of America. In my youth it was like the one last breath of fresh air before the storm of the school year really got underway. One week of school and then that glorious weekend. It was great.
One of my favorite memories of this trifecta of patriotic holidays was when I was living in Washington, DC, in 2010 doing an internship with the AAPA. For Memorial Day I went with a group of friends to Arlington Cemetary where then Vice-President Joseph Biden spoke. For those that don't know I am generally fairly conservative, so you may ask how could I possibly enjoy this liberal politician's words that day?
10 points to whoever can find me in this photo from the Memorials Day ceremony in 2010.
Well, I will tell you, and it's the reason I love this holiday. Because as an audience that day listening to Biden's tribute to America's fallen soldiers past and present we collectively were moved by the sacrifices of those men and women. That's what makes America great. It's not our politics. And thankfully so, because right now that whole thing is a mess. It's the spirit and hard work and compassion of the American people, and no where is that seen more so than in those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, its people, and our freedoms.
We are great not because of our freedom of speech, because so many other nations have that, but because of our willingness to listen and understand the ones speaking.
We are great not because of our freedom of religion, because many countries enjoy that freedom, but because of our ability to sympathize and communicate with people of differing faiths and creeds.
We are great not because of our freedom to assemble, because frequently we and other nations do that and it is not pretty, but because of our ability to stand shoulder to shoulder with those of opposing views and work together.
Sadly, we don't see this unity enough in our policial systems. But that's why I believe it's our people that make this country great. Because we can do for each other what our political system fails to do.
That Memorial Day, I listened to a leader of our nation speak, but what moved me the most was the unity I saw among the listeners that day. And as we drove through Arlington Cemetary after the ceremony was over we saw the headstones of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and many more who fought and died for this great nation. Those men and women fought side by side, so it's our duty to live together and work side by side each and every day.
Thank you to all our troops and their families, and God bless America.