(1946, photograph by the American Red Cross)

This morning, I saw a headline that read: “Amid Pandemic fears, America observes a quiet Memorial Day.”

How to observe Memorial Day has always been controversial.  Memorial Day is the day when we pay tribute to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  To wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day” shows a lack of understanding of what the day is about.  Memorial Day is not a day for celebration.  Memorial Day is a day for reflection and gratitude and that is especially true this year.  Today is a day to honor sacrifice and those who lay down their lives to make both this country and this world a better place.

Postcard, 1917