Awareness

  Having written and posted my memorial day tributes and memories I am left with a single thought. Awareness. It's something we hear about all the time these days. Raising awareness for this or that cause, disease, or issue. The ribbons are being worn, the flags waving, the politicians making promises. We are being made aware. But we are doing so by celebrating our "victories" and "holding accountable" those that created the issue in the first place. We don't let all this awareness impact our daily lives though, no interruption in doing the things we want to do, no stopping the celebrations!

 That is what I was thinking as I remembered how the holidays of old were observed. I remember when business was closed on those days. Remember when you couldn't go shopping on a holiday? Nope, stores were closed in observance of the holiday. You were aware of that! That was how awareness worked in the old school. You were reminded the whole day. Yes, the day was devoted to the observance of the holiday. The event, occasion or achievement being remembered. Then in 1971 we decided to make all of that a bit more convenient. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed to create three day weekends. Birthdays were moved around, other days and dates changed to fall on a Monday. Even Veterans Day itself was moved! That was met with resistance by veterans' groups however and restored to the actual day once again. Today we are hearing about removing /replacing Columbus day because it is offensive. We have become aware. Aware of what exactly? That Christopehr Columbus engaged in the same activities as all of his contemporaries. Yes, that pretty much his fault, isn't it? It's important to note that the celebration will continue, the holiday observed with any and all benefits associated with that, regardless of the name applied to that holiday. Now, that's awareness! The day off is what is important.

 It's my feeling that many are not aware of what the holiday is all about at all. This is especially true with Memorial Day although the news people do attempt to inform us. But the celebration today is thought to encompass all veterans. That isn't the purpose of this day. This day is devoted to those that died on the battlefield or in the hospitals following the battle. Those that died as a direct result of combat! It's a day to be aware of that! It's not just an awareness that people died. It is an awareness of what was given in exchange for the freedom you enjoy every single day. Other holidays are also not being understood. Presidents day. We started celebrating the birth of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Washington being the first president and Lincoln credited with saving that nation. Then their birthdays were merged, called presidents day. And now it is a day to celebrate all the Presidents. Give it time and some will suffer the same fate as Christopher Columbus! Well, some already are in you think about it. Jefferson is certainly being slandered these days. Monroe as well. You know, as we become aware.

 Well, if I had it may way, I would restore all the holidays to their original dates. The day/date falls when it falls. If that is a Wednesday, it's a Wednesday. Having a day off in the middle of the week raises awareness. It always got my attention anyway. I can remember being excited to realize that a holiday would fall on a Friday or a Monday. It was a reason to plan ahead. I also remember having to go to the store the day before, plan ahead, or you just went without on the holiday. We stayed at home mostly, had a barbecue or whatever. Mom and Dad would explain what the holiday was all about. It wasn't about you! That was the biggest message I always got from that. Holidays were meant to commemorate or remember others, or significant historical events. That's why we called them an OBSERVANCE. We were to see the significance of the day. Memorial Day was filled with poppies. What is the significance of that? Sadly, many will not know if asked today. Ask them what a rainbow flag is, and they know that all right, they are aware. Ask them of Flanders Field. Seems to me most people think that the holiday is all about them! They get a three-day weekend, they get a day off from work, they get this or that! It isn't about them! That is what they need to be made aware of.