Gannon Beck: Not Just Another Holiday

I don’t care for Memorial Day.

I don’t like the notion that there is only one day designated to remember those who have made sacrifices for the nation and its ideals. All holidays are lost on me for the same reason – birthdays too.  Those who expect a card from me on a specific day will be sorely disappointed; however, I strive to show daily the appreciation I have for people and values I cherish.

I think we should buy flowers for our loved ones when it’s not Valentines Day; we should read about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks even when it’s not Black History Month, and we should be respectful and grateful to those who serve, even if it’s not Memorial Day or Veteran’s Day.

If something is important to the nation, our conversations should hover around them all year long.   Honoring veteran’s who gave their lives for us isn’t just for Memorial Day any more than freedom is just for the 4th of July.

So when Cam asked me to write something for his blog for Memorial Day, I had a hard time thinking of something “special” for the occasion. The truth is, I think about veterans and write about them all the time. Each post is special, because the subject matter is special.

Here are some of my posts about veterans, not written for any particular occasion:

Well Mannered Warriors

Not Accepted to Harvard? Join the (Junto) Club.

Heroes Have Heroes

Leadership Philosophies of Marines and Civilians

Mentorship and the American Revolution

Mitchell Paige

Marines: Break Out in Case of Emergency

Marine Poet

Always Faithful in a Marine’s Potential

Toys for Tots Literacy Program

Thank you to those who have served and continue to serve.

Semper Fidelis. - Gannon Beck

P.S. Happy belated birthday, Cam

My brother, Gannon Beck, is a Marine Corps veteran who owns and manages OO-RAH.com, an organization dedicated to serving Marines. He is a highly skilled illustrator who blogs regularly about art, the military, and education at gannonbeck.com. 

Comments

[Trish]

Kudos to Gannon for spotlighting such great posts and for telling it like it is. We should keep those who served on our minds throughout the year. He's a talented artist and he's got a a great site as well.

[Jim Stroup]

Thank you Gannon - you're right on the mark, here. Thank you for sharing, as well, the links to your other pieces on this topic.

[Polar Bear]

Of all three of my sons, I do not know which one is smarter. However, they are all Marines; and, that makes them all heroes in by book! To Gannon and Cam, and everyone who contributed articles to the heroes we celebrate and memorialize this week, and always, a heartfelt 'Thank you!'