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| Rosa Parks |
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day).
Veterans Day is an official United States holiday that honors people who have served in armed service, also known as veterans… Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterans_Day).
I propose a third holiday in addition to Memorial and Veterans Day—All Patriots Day. This holiday would honor all civilians and non-civilians who have bravely lived and sometimes died for the patriotic ideals and values summarized briefly in the Bill of Rights. This would honor all those who for conscience’s sake have affirmed and exercised those rights despite occasional danger, conflict, and opposition. A quintessential honoree would be the Negro citizen lynched during Jim Crow’s reign of terror. But of course there are many others deserving this honor—those many considerate individuals quietly and resolutely marching to a different drummer during times of widely inflamed prejudices, passions, and the shameful betrayal of reason and kindness. It would also honor that host of unnamed individuals who bloom where planted and contribute to the beauty of our nation though too often recognized and honored only by God.
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