Perhaps Memorial Day is fading now

Memorial Day weekend slides into our consciousness again. Why do we need a formal program to remember the "ultimate sacrifice" of so many? Of course we remember this and always will. The programs of Memorial Day and Veterans Day remind us of how much severe conflict has happened throughout history. Don't you think it can be dangerous in how it can stoke jingoism? 

Do you think the Japanese people appreciate being reminded of what happened in the 1940s? "It's necessary to remember." Of course it is, and American society is guaranteed to always remember through our history studies, just what transpired. 

The thing is, that was then and this is now. And we'd all like to proceed as if the old conflicts no longer relate to our lives. In an ideal world there would be no such conflict of course. I saw a headline the other day about how enthusiasm is dimming for the traditional Memorial Day program. Maybe this observation will prove to be wrong. But if it's true, we should ask ourselves "why?" 

A rather remarkable change has happened recently. It's with how the political winds blow. You may think I gravitate to politics too much in my thinking. I would argue it's quite relevant. This nation chose Donald Trump as its president for four years. Some of you might shake your head at my mention of Trump. He happens to still be the leader of one of our two major political parties. And he has taken a stance against foreign military entanglements. 

"No more Mideast wars." Such a polar opposite of the Cheney family. And let me say I continue to miss Chris Matthews of MSNBC who pronounced "Cheney" in a way different from the standard. He insisted his way had a basis, though the family demurred. The family had to demur because Matthews was considered left wing in politics, having worked for Tip O'Neill. Matthews was really just a fascinated observer of the political process. He had a big reach despite his background as left of center. Oh, the countless hours he spent on TV hashing over the political stuff. 

But the political climate changed. Matthews was attuned to a time when the political parties could come together, i.e. O'Neill having social affinity with Ronald Reagan outside of their "business." Today there is no middle ground, which is why there is likely no hope for America dealing with its gun problem. 

The political right propels itself with "toxic masculinity" so much. Once people sign on with that, there is almost no turning back. However, a leader as powerful as Trump can adjust the mindset some. So the Republican Party of America, the party of "toxic masculinity," is now skeptical of foreign military intervention. 

Man, when Bush pushed for the Iraq adventure, it was the tree huggers at our UMM - the predictable crowd - making the placards and venting their displeasure. Obviously it was futile on their part. Vice President Dick Cheney had everything mapped out. The neocons had a vice grip on it all. So we invaded Iraq. We lost David Day here in Morris. 

I got up early one morning to cover the send-off of our National Guard unit to Iraq. National Guard? Why were they involved? Don't we have a national military? I remember almost whiffing on getting a good photo until the very end, when I caught a well-wisher on the sidewalk of Atlantic Avenue holding up a little flag as a motorcoach with the Guardsmen rolled by. A decent photo. I got the job done. 

The mainstream of America got persuaded this action was necessary. We had to neutralize Saddam's "weapons of mass destruction." Remember that? Turned out there were none. Chemical weapons? Isn't that what the U.S. used in Vietnam? Were we ever punished for that? 

So now we have Trump turning thumbs-down on ventures like this. And if he says it, his mesmerized masses of followers will echo it. So we're done with foreign military entanglements? It's no longer a "toxic masculinity" thing. Oh but don't worry, toxic masculinity will still be around. We see it with the advancing wave of anti-abortion thinking that will discriminate against women. 

Men have no such issues to face. The Supreme Court would not be inclined the way it is, if men could get pregnant. Or, if the Catholic Church did not exist. Pro-choice was part of the movement to liberate women. 

It was during my high school years that serious sports for girls was created quite out of thin air. It literally did not exist previously. It was treated as a novelty in the earliest years. Girls needed time to establish skills. Today you might hear a group of older men discussing girls sports teams with the same seriousness as they discuss boys. Stop and think: this would have been unimaginable up through the 1970s at least. 

Memorial Day weekend was never an idle time for me at the newspaper. I was available to do anything and everything that was needed. At the end of my tenure with the paper, even my enthusiasm could not sustain me any more. Change was happening so fast. I was left mystified and stunned. I haven't gotten over it to this day. 

I remember the distinct sense of peacefulness as I walked from the outdoor Memorial Day program back to the office. A greater sense of peace I have never felt. 

I remember so many of the World War II veterans who worked with the Memorial Day observance. Their generation is barely hanging on now. I remember Willie Martin at the outdoor service. Need I remind you he's the Willie of Willie's Super Valu? I remember Erwin Anderson. Glendon Rose. Darlene Olen. 

Oh, and Eleanor Killoran playing the piano at the indoor program at the old school auditorium. I close my eyes and can still hear Eleanor playing "It's a Grand Old Flag." I remember photographing her seated at the piano with her son Skip, in full military uniform, posing next to her. A prouder mother you could not find. So sad to see the Killoran Music Arts Center go unused at East Side Park. Apathy is a hallmark of the Morris community. 

So, is there a Memorial Day program this morning (Monday)? In my mind, the WWII veterans had a role that can never truly be duplicated. It was the necessary war if not "the good war." Me? I grew up during Vietnam. Trump had to present his "bone spurs." How sad (i.e. pathetic). Dick Cheney got his deferments. 

Today Trump openly mocks Liz Cheney at rallies. Amazing. The Cheneys were once the standard bearers for Republican and conservative thinking. Today they are the enemy. Trump rules. And he's hovering in wait to move into the oval office again. His only priority will be to exact revenge vs. his political adversaries, and we might see executions for "treason." Congressman Jim Jordan has hinted as much. Yes, change can happen.

- Brian Williams - morris mn minnesota - bwilly73@yahoo.com