Memorial Day, 2026
5/25/26
Citizens!
Today is Memorial Day here in the US, a day set aside for honoring our nation’s war dead, a worthwhile and solemn occasion. Its roots date back to the period after the Civil War, when communities placed flowers on the graves of those who died in that war, though it did not become a federal holiday until 1971.
There are probably few families in America who have not had someone go off to war, and while, statistically, most people come back from their war, some do not. Over the centuries, approximately 2.8 million Americans have died in battle, with 40,000 more missing. There is no reason to think they’re alive, so think of them today, too, dammit, because some became POWs and did not have the benefit of quick death.
We are very fortunate: everyone on both sides of our family returned from their wars. Six-time great-grandpa Absalom in the Revolution, Grandpa Gaylon in War I, Dad and Uncle Don in War II. More than one uncle returned from Vietnam, and my late brother returned from the Gulf. In fact, no one returned with so much as a bad case of dandruff. Not every family was that lucky, including two widows we know.
Please, do not thank a veteran or a current servicemember today. It is inappropriate, and we would resent it. Do, however, take a moment to remember those who did not come back and do so without fussing over whether or not you supported the wars they died in. Every one of them died for our country.
Thank you for reading,
