Memorial Day: Images That Provoke Reflection and Gratitude
What images remind you of Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday of May. It is a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering and honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is a day for the nation to come together, remember, and pay tribute to heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend the country.
Soldiers in a Cemetery
The image that best captures the sacrifice of American soldiers for me is that of their graves in a cemetery. As a memorial, these graves symbolize the ultimate price paid by these valiant men and women.
Sad Reflections
However, it is a somber reality that some 35% of adults don’t even understand the true meaning of Memorial Day. This is alarming because the observance of this holiday is a cornerstone of communal memory and patriotism.
Families and Grills
On a happier note, images of families and friends gathering in their backyards, firing up their grills, chatting, laughing, and enjoying delicious comfort foods are also associated with Memorial Day. These moments reflect the freedoms that we, as Americans, enjoy every day. The barbecue and backyard gatherings symbolize how the sacrifices of fallen soldiers have enriched our lives, granting us the liberty to celebrate in various ways.
Canadian Perspective
As a Canadian, we have Remembrance Day in November. Although it is not Memorial Day, the day nonetheless honors our military heroes. However, this content will focus on the American perspective and the various images that evoke feelings of reflection and gratitude.
The American Cemetery in St. James, France
One of the most poignant images for Memorial Day comes from the American Cemetery in St. James, France. This cemetery is a powerful symbol of the significant sacrifices made by American soldiers throughout history. The neatly aligned graves, each adorned with American flags, represent the final resting places of those who died fighting for freedom.
Archibald MacLeish’s “Memorial Rain”
Another deeply moving image comes from Archibald MacLeish’s poem "Memorial Rain," dedicated to his brother who was killed in Belgium during World War I. The poem captures the eternal vigil of lost souls and the gratitude of a grateful nation. "Memorial Rain" reflects on the indomitable nature of life and the eternal rest that soldiers find in the soil of foreign lands.
Here is an excerpt from the poem:
"Ambassador Puser the ambassador Reminds himself in French felicitous tongue What these young men no longer lie here for In rows that once and somewhere else were young… All night in Brussels the wind had tugged at my door: I had heard the wind at my door and the trees strung Taut and to me who had never been before In that country it was a strange wind blowing Steadily stiffening the walls the floor The roof of my room. I had not slept for knowing He too dead was a stranger in that land And felt beneath the earth in the wind's flowing A tightening of roots and would not understand Remembering lake winds in Illinois That strange wind. I had felt his bones in the sand Listening."
This passage describes the poet’s experience with the wind, symbolizing the eternal vigil of the living over the graves of the fallen. It also reflects the gratefulness of a country for the sacrifices made by its heroes.
Final Reflection
Both the image of soldiers in a cemetery and the poem "Memorial Rain" evoke profound emotions of remembrance, gratitude, and reflection. These images and the poems they inspire remind us of the true meaning of Memorial Day and the sacrifices that have shaped our nation.
So, as we observe Memorial Day, let us take a moment to remember and honor the fallen, and let us cherish the freedoms that they have fought for us to enjoy.