There is a strong tradition in our country of military service. Many of you probably even have family members who have served our country honorably. However, there are many of us who probably don’t have a tangible lineage of service, myself included. Perhaps our biggest interaction with our military is through cinema and the occasional holiday. These things, while not inherently a bad thing, perhaps give us a more shallow understanding of the last full measure of devotion.
How do we ground ourselves in a reality that we’ve never lived, experienced, or heard about personally?
Well, I don’t think there is a great answer as it probably differs between people. I think we’ve all been to the local Memorial Day ceremony or parade, which are always well done. I enjoy these annual traditions that will continue on well into the future. Although you may not be able to make a trip possible for this Memorial Day, I think we have a unique opportunity to honor the fallen and our country.
As an enjoyer of history, Washington, D.C., is a city rich with history that stands as a reminder of American excellence and achievement. President Trump has taken it upon himself to clean up D.C. with a historic reduction in crime that even the liberal D.C. mayor has appreciated. He is building new monuments, including a 250-foot arch to commemorate our 250th anniversary as a country, while fixing the reflection pool. There is no better time to visit D.C. than over the next few years. If you haven’t made the patriot pilgrimage, now is the time to make the trip.
For someone who struggles to find a grounded experience to pay my respects to our fallen, there is no shortage of monuments literally larger than life in D.C. It is impossible not to feel a sense of sacrifice that goes beyond anything we can truly understand.
I’ve been to D.C. once, and despite my lack of tangible connections to the armed services, seeing sights like Arlington Cemetery can’t be really described accurately. The sheer loss of human life seems impossible and gives the numbers in the history books a new meaning. The Korean War memorial is an underrated monument that gives a very literal portrayal of the war, which on a rainy day is hard to miss.
Regardless of which sights you see and what memorials you pay respect to, you will not regret your time looking back on what made the first 250 years of this country great.
While you are honoring Memorial Day with your annual tradition, consider making the patriot pilgrimage to D.C. during this unique time in history. Your appreciation for our fallen, our country, and our unique history will only grow from there.
