I hope we keep partisan politics out of this Monday’s Lincoln Memorial Day
Celebration. Memorial Day, originally Decoration Day, was first celebrated
three years after “a great civil war” ended at Appomattox. It was a day set
aside to honor Northern soldiers killed in fighting our brutal Civil War to
preserve the Union of 34 states. During the last century and a half, the list
of our wars and fallen Americans has continued to grow and this Monday, for the
one hundred fifty fourth time we remember and honor all of them. We extend the
honor to all veterans because they have been willing to risk their lives to
safeguard our country’s constitutional government and thus our rights and
freedoms.
Hopefully, Memorial Day Celebrations, like the Fourth of July, and
Thanksgiving bring families and communities together, and by emphasizing shared
values and creating shared experiences help hold us together despite our
ranging, often contentious opinions.
Today, people speak of how we are self-sorting ourselves into Red and Blue
communities. Increasingly, people seem to insulate themselves from the other
side’s point of view. Let’s not allow that to happen here! Let’s take every
opportunity to be with “the other,” to listen carefully, respectfully and to
reinforce what we have in common. This Monday, Memorial Day is such an
opportunity.
Kally Kumler
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