Bigfork Eagle editorial

In memory

War is an ugly business; there should be no doubt. It is brutal, savage, harsh, debilitating, and sometimes necessary. On Memorial Day, it is hard not to focus on war itself—especially when we are currently involved in one.

Instead, Memorial Day should be a time to reflect on the men and women who have died to preserve an ideal. Whether or not you support a war, those fighting and dying in battle should be recognized.

It must be terribly difficult to commit to the armed services of this country knowing that you could be called upon to fight in distant lands for many months at a time. You must leave your family and the comforts of home to fulfill this commitment. You must be brave and persevere in the wake of extreme violence and ruthless killing. All of this seems so daunting. Yet we have the strongest military in the world.

On the last Monday in May we should all pause to think about the sacrifices of those who have died in service to this country. Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative, whatever your creed, Memorial Day should be just that—a day to remember.

Remember that those who have died had families that loved them. Remember that those who have died had hopes and dreams that were not tied to war. Remember that those who have died left behind memories and legacies. They were all human beings, and we should remember that life is precious.

Here in Bigfork, there are many lives to be honored on Memorial Day. In the cemetery next to the Little Brown Church, veterans from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War rest in peace. The names on the tombstones are worn by time and weather, but their legacies remain. Our country is strong because of them.

So, as you enjoyed the phenomenal weather on Monday, and the day off of work, did you remember? Did you take even a moment from your barbecue to think about the men and women who have died to keep America safe? As you were tooling around Flathead Lake in your boat, did you say a silent 'Thank you' to those who gave their lives during war? On your drive home from some great vacation spot, did you think back to your own grandparents who may have fought and even died in some foreign land? Memorial Day is not just the end of a three-day weekend. It is a day to pay homage and respect to the war dead—may they all rest in peace.