An acquaintance refused to march in a Memorial Day parade with a local politician. He felt that "Memorial Day is like a funeral. The parade is like a funeral procession ending in the cemetary for the "service" and that it wasn't appropriate for candidates and their supporters to march in the parade."
This comment stuck with me and wanted to share my thoughts about it. Now as background I had a great grandfather, a step grandfather (both now passed) and an uncle that served in the military and some even injured in battle. I currently have a cousin who is in Iraq for her third tour of duty over there. So I hold military service in the highest regard.
I also view Memorial Day (the parades and the services that follow) as a funeral - yet I view it differently than my acquaintance does. I view it more as a "backwards" funeral. I view it more like a funeral (the service at the cemetary) and a wake (the parade). The service at the cemetary is where we honor, grieve and remember. The parade is where we still honor and remember but we celebrate the life and freedom we've gained through the service and sacrifice with our friends and neighbors. So similar to a wake where you still honor and remember the person you've lost but you celebrate that life and comraderie with their friends and family.
So while I agree and wish more people gave Memorial Day the reverence it deserves and remember the main reason for the holiday (not just a long weekend off work and BBQs) I think it can both be honored appropriately AND celebrated with friends and loved ones and I would feel no dishonor at all in participating in a parade on that day.
