for Memorial Day, remember & learn before eating & drinking

reprise I & reprise II
I don’t think I can put it any better than I said it two years ago:

Every American service member who has died in service is a tragedy for his or her family and for a group of friends or others who knew her or him; the death is also always a symbol because of the national connection. In Tillman’s case, the symbolism is terribly layered and complex, and is relevant to many more people than is ‘typical’. That doesn’t make him any more or less special than anyone else, but more powerful.

If you didn’t see this last year, read about the origins of the day, from Civil War and slavery scholar David Blight in “today’s New York Times” (today as of May 30, 2011, that is) from last year’s post.

© Sandy Mattingly 2012