Today is Memorial Day, the one day out of 365 when Americans remember the countless soldiers who died in wars, whom politicians, sitting in the comfort of the Oval Office and the Senate, had sent to battle fields across the world.
Most Americans will “celebrate” this national “holiday” by shopping in “Memorial Day” sales, or by driving to the beach or a national park, or have a barbecue in their back yard.
Such fun! [Snark]
This is how Israel remember their fallen.
Yom Hazikaron is Israel’s official Memorial Day, enacted into law in 1963.
The day opens with a siren the preceding evening at 20:00 hour (8:00 pm), given that in the Hebrew calendar system, a day begins at sunset.
The siren is heard all over the country and lasts for one minute, during which Israelis stop everything (including cars on highways) and stand in silence, commemorating and showing their respect for the fallen. Many religious Jews say prayers for the souls of the fallen soldiers at this time.
The following morning at 11 am, a two-minute siren is sounded, which marks the opening of the official memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gatherings at each cemetery where soldiers are buried. One of the government-owned television stations screens the names of all the fallen in chronological order (rank, name, date-of-death) over the course of the day. Each name appears for about three seconds.
But Americans will “celebrate” Memorial Day today by shopping.
Thank you, to all who sacrificed their very lives for America.
This country doesn’t deserve patriots like you.
