Monday is Memorial Day, a chance for each of us to reflect, with both gratitude and sorrow, on the members of the military who died in service to this country.
Some of us will attend the annual 10 a.m. Memorial Day parade and ceremonies at the several war memorials on the Common. Others may stop what they’re doing at 3 p.m. to observe the National Moment of Remembrance, a practice enacted into law in 2000 to encourage people to pause holiday festivities for a minute, just long enough to remember the significance of the day.
It’s also worth giving a thought to the citizens who every year mark Memorial Day with the parade and ceremonies that help the rest of us remember the day’s solemn purpose. Though neither expecting nor seeking recognition, these volunteers nevertheless deserve credit for maintaining the day’s rituals of remembrance.
We mourn the passing of U.S. Army Maj. Steve Cronin, who with his wife, U.S. Army veteran Maj. Nancy Cronin, organized the annual event for more than 20 years. Steve died last month; this year U.S. Air Force veteran Jon Schoenberg will lead the ceremonies.
Remaining grateful to the men and women who died for their country is certainly our highest obligation as citizens. And while we enjoy the freedom to observe the day as we wish, we can also be mindful that the Memorial Day traditions—maintained by a relatively small group of people—are a valuable reminder of the day’s true meaning.