A Memorial Day Message

Some things are easy to forget, especially when you are distracted by all that goes on around you.

Over the past six months, it’s been non-stop – the fallout from Superstorm Sandy; the horrid school shootings in Connecticut; the terrorist bombings in Boston; death and destruction in Oklahoma; a British soldier butchered in broad daylight by two Muslim extremists; uncertainty over “Obamacare,” making ends meet,
finding a good job, paying the mortgage . . .

It’s easy to forget.

Increasingly, we are transfixed by the
“trifecta” of scandals and fallout that percolates daily in our nation’s capitol. Who knew what and when, and what did they do about it? All of it seems to get worse each day – the death of four Americans in the terrorist attack against the US consulate in Benghazi; the US Justice Department checking phone records of reporters and news organizations; the Internal Revenue Service singling out conservative non-profit organizations for scrutiny. Lost in the ongoing debate and finger pointing are the unanswered questions surrounding the ”Fast and Furious” gun debacle in Mexico.
It’s easy to forget.

Overriding those concerns is the increasing polarization and paralysis in Washington, where politicians, not statesmen, are failing miserably to get our country back on track. John Boehner, the Republican Speaker of the House, admitted in an interview this week that he has not sat down and spoken with President Obama in over two months. There seems no urgency to find common ground or a willingness to concede and compromise – about anything.

The paralysis is mindful of the pettiness exhibited by North Vietnam and US diplomats in Paris trying to decide on the configuration of the table before they could sit to negotiate a peace settlement.

The American flag lapel pins favored by our elected leaders might as well be replaced with enamel Donkey and Elephant pins – it seems more important that you are a Democrat or Republican than you are an American. Sadly, party allegiance trumps red, white & blue.

For one day, let’s make sure we forget about swirl of controversy and recriminations and let’s remember that we are all Americans – and that we owe a huge debt of gratitude to those that have served.

Shame on us if we forget to honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in the US Armed Forces, at home and abroad.

Monday is the one day set aside to honor America’s men and women in uniform. Accord these men and women the respect they’ve earned.

Thank you to all that have served – and remember to pause and remember those that have made the supreme sacrifice and fallen in defense of the American ideals we all cherish so dearly.

Don’t forget.

Rod Hirsch is the founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey. Interested in volunteering, sponsoring a collection drive, or making a donation? Contact Rod at opshbxnj@yahoo.com

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