Who needs Memorial day?

I was thinking earlier today about what song I wanted to go with as the song of the day (I'm going with this one) and it got me thinking about the meaning of Memorial Day.

It's a day to honor the military men and women who have fallen while carrying out military service.

Having a specific day to honor the nation's fallen makes about as much sense as celebrating Valentines Day. Seriously, if you love someone, shouldn't you make it a point to let them know that every day of the year and not just once a year with overpriced flowers you purchase only because society and the power of commercialization makes you feel obligated to do so?

Those who have served in the military or have family who has done so know the true cost of the freedom in which we live.

We know what it's like to watch our parents, brothers, sisters, children and best friends go off to fight a war. Too many of us know what its like not to watch them come home, or to watch them do so in pieces.

We know what it's like to stay awake long after everyone else has gone to bed, afraid of what might haunt us in our sleep. We know what it's like to struggle to find the strength to ask for help. Far too often, not enough do. In January, more veterans died from suicide on American soil than the number who died in war zones.

We know what it's like to meet someone on the battlefield, only to watch them be carried on a plane in a flag-draped coffin two days later. We know what it's like to carry their memories with us every day, with their names on bands on our wrist, tattoos on our bodies and unit memorials. Their names never far from our minds.

What we don't know is why they are buried six feet under and we're not though we fought the same war.

What we don't know is why Memorial Day has become little more to the American public than the unofficial first day of summer, celebrated with as much meaning as Labor Day and maybe even less so than St. Patty's Day.

But we're OK with this. Enjoy your three-day camping weekend, your extra night in the bar and day out of class. There are a lot of men and women dead so you can live your life like this. Enjoy it and live each day to the fullest, for that is the best way to honor the American military.

And just because you can't be bothered to think about what the last Monday of May means as you do so, doesn't mean the fallen are forgotten.

Rest in peace American solider, for you are not forgotten. For you are on our minds and in our hearts every day of the year. No special days needed.